The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-06-29
Letter from Kansas.
CANroN, Kansas. JUNO "a. I'M.

] OANIONt hd0kdhs JuOb ~, lUJls
EDITOR JOURNAL ;--Genera conditions
among Kansas farmers have inn
proved materially in recent years.
The hard times consequent
upon the failure of crops for
several consecutive seasons in the early
9Os have been followed by an era OF
very general prosperity, resulting from
good crops and ready market for all
cereals and farm products at fairly
remunerative figures. In fact the
financial standing and the surround
| lngs OF the Kansas farmer do not suf'
Ter from comparison with like class
in any state. Another result of the
good crops and prosperous conditions
OF recent years in this state has
been very general cancellation by
farmers Of their mortgaged indebted.
ness until the aggregate valuation Of
| property remaining under this form OF
hypothication has been reduced to a
minimum.
The Kansas grain crop will this year
probably equal that of 1900, the acer-
! age being about the same. Some wheat
has suffered great damage from both the
CinCh bug and the Hessian fly, al
though the damage from these pests is
not general. Farmers have not yet dis.
covered a practical remedy for the ex-
termination of the pest or to successfully
restrict their invasion and destruction
of growing crops. The question of de-
vising some means of annihilating par
ticularly the Hessian fly is receiving
the serious consideration OF farmers
generally, it being feared that unless
concerted action to that end is taken,
that the pest will eventually operate
disasterously against the state as q
grain growing section.
Conflicting estimates renders re.
liable prediction as to the grain yield
quite difficult but is is believed the
yield will equal that OF last year. The
general average for wheat will probably
reach Is or 20 bushels per acre. Har-
vest hands are very scarce and readily
find employment at 81 per day and
board
Recent rains, that were badly needed,
have done much TO promote prospects
for fair corn crop. Corn is very back
ward this season, few farmers having
completed the cultivation thereof. The
corn yield will not equal the record
breaking crop of the 1900 crop season.
The oppressiveuess OF the warm
weather here affords us a splendid
theme for extolling the delightful Or.
egon climate which for its perennial
moderation is not surpassed. Since
reaching Kaneas the thermometer has
ranged from 9S to ITO degrees which is
exclusively warm when contrasted with
Greg )n's incompatible summer climate.
Kansas has always been known as q
state but dry"
condition prevails in other than eli.
matte conditions, particularly, traffic in
intoxicating beverages. So far as / can
learn, Kansas 10 the only state in the
union where the sale OF malt and spiT-
itous liquors is entirely prohibited.
Traffic in intoxiCants is conducted under
certain restrictions in some states but
Kaneas is "dry" state in the true
sense of the term. The influence result
ing from Mrs. Carrie Nations crusade
has been quite noticeable in nearly ev
cry community great many OF the
Joints" that had previously been
i'm defiance OF the law,
have since suspended business. LII
luors by law are only obtainable at
irug stores upon prescriptions only and
then with the understanding that they
are used purely for medical purposes.
However, in this relation, many Kan
sans addicted to the use OF stimulants,
have acquired the habit of helping them
selves and drugstores generally enjoy
a tlourishing business. At each legis-
latlve session an attempt is made 10 re-
peal the law prohibiting the sale of
liquors but thus far the movement has
'alled TO receive the endorsement and |
support of a requisite number OF as
,emblymen and the law is being quite
enforced.
We leave next Monday for Boston.
w O.