People's voice., 1899-09-28

pastures often supplying abundance Of
excellent food at no cost whatever to the
farmer. Our rich, almost inexhaustible
soil bringing forth crops without the use
of commercial fertilizers. Our cheap
lands and level fields free from stones are
sure to make Kansas great dairy state.
The first creamery Of substantial
foundation was built only about 10 years
ago. Since that time over 400 creameries
and stations have been built in the state
and surprising as it may seem, some Of
the most successful Of these are located
100 miles west Of us, where the rainfall is
light and uncertain. While all seed
crops are more or less uncertain in this
part OF Kansas, cane, millet, kafir
corn and maize for fodder, are sure to
make profitable crop, and never an en-
tire failure. Late experiments prove
that by careful work, alfalfa can be grown
in most parts of the state. In some parts
if not in all, Of this county, it does we'll
These crops r,ake excellent cattle food.
They are easily and cheaply grown, they
produce very abundantly, they are easily
cured, requiring no barn for storing, and
they are practically sure in yield.
In view Of these facts it would seem
that the dairy interest should claim the
most careful consideration and be made
the chief industry in this county. Any
good farm of 100 acres will grow feed for
twenty mich COWS, at very little extrp
cost. Almost as much wheat can be
grown at the same time. These twenty
cows, if well cared for, will yield about
S25 each in milk. With a calf at one
year old, valued at SIS, making a gross
return of $40 per head or $500. This can
be done if the wheat and corn both fail
The cheapness with which butter can
be made here enables us to drive the
eastern butter from the markets. As a
result the eastern factories are finding
other uses for the milk. The large cities
furnish great trade for cream. The
skim milk is used for putting a gloss on
paper and cards. Some factories are
making certified and carbonated milk
for infants and invalids.
In very recent years the foreign mar
kets are realizing the fact that the United
States can make Just as good butter as
Denmark and Sweden. As a result our
foreign trade is improving and will no
doubt handle all our surplus at good
price.
The difference in cost of transporta-
tion of wheat and butter is quite an item.
A bushel of wheat worth soc costs 2oc
freight to Liverpool. One pound of
butter worth 2oc can be sent for &c. II
can be shipped as cheaply from Yelling
ton as from $50 miles from New York
City. Another fact in connection with
dairy farming is that in selling butter fat,
the farm loses none of its fertility, where
as in what and corn farming a
farmer sells part of his farm with every
load of wheat or corn. With our rich
soil we do not apprehend any need of
serious consideration Of this problem, bui
it is a great question for the future, here
as it is now in the east-and t'-ese wheat
crops must be paid !or by posterity in
good hard cash. We ask our readers to
give this subject careful consideration,
for we believe that in ii is at least par
tial solution to some of the hard times
and dissatisfaction with farming in this
part Of the state. As Secretary Coburn
says, Glitch the COW ahead of the plow"
instead Of the other way as now. Very
few persons have ever followed wheat
farming exclusively very many years
without breaking up in business, while in
sections where dairying is tn main bus
iness failures are few and mortgages are
less numerous. We shall have more to
say upon this in the future and invite
correspondence.