Waterbury Democrat., 1902-09-06
FAMOUS KANSAS COTTONWOOD
Remarkable History of am Ancient Tree Which Grows in the Capital
 square of TopeI1a.

Tn the Kansas capitol square at Topeka stands handsome cotton wood tree that hasaa history. Maj. E. J. Anderson, wIlo is it's historian, and when it was struggling for ex- istence it's friend and protector, says it first took root in 1869. It sprang from seed which had found lodgment in the stoneyard where the contractors we're dressing stone for the superstructnre of the east wing of the capitaL In the spring of 1870, when the men, fortified by a new legislative appropriation, re- turned to work after the winters Iay-off, the little sprout had taken firm root around the stone chips. and it was so green and vigorous in the waste that surrounded it that it attracted attention. It was in the way and the workmen wanted to pull it up, but Mai. Anderson inter ceded for it and little pen was built around it. Henry WorraH said it was 'smale' tree and would shed no "cotton,'' which added to the in- terest in it, and so 1t grew and four ished in the midst of the little desert 1t ex ; of rocks. After many years the east wing was completed and the stone yard was removed and blue grass took the place of the stone chips. Tn 18a5 the tree was again in peril. It had grown into majestic beauty, and was the monarch of the capitol square, but it was not. located exact- 1y to suit landscape gardener who had been imported from New York to improve" the grounds, and he marked it for the ax. Again the friends of the tree came to the res cue and Gov. Morrill, ordered that it be saved.
 Men who frequent Topeka from other parts of the state agree that it is the largest cottonwood tree in Kansas, and, with the exception of an occasional elm, the most graceful, says the Kansas City Times-Star. It is not so tall as some trees, being only about s5 feet, but it's spread is 100 feet, forming a circumference of about 315 feet, and its foliage, when the sun is at the zenith, shades an area of 7,s54 square feet. The cir conference of it's trunk is 12 feet. It is favorite playground of chill dren, and men and women seek it's shelter from the summer sun. Tn 1895 William Mckinley rested be- meath it's foliage. and when John F. Dillon, now of New York, was United States circuit court judge, he never failed to visit it and comment on it's beauty when he came to To- pela. John J, Ingalls, used to speak eloquently of 1t, and Preston B. Plumb's involuntary exclamation was; 1T wish that tree was in my yard" This tree has witnessed the coming and passing of II governors, including Stanley, whose successor has already been nominated; Harvey, Osborn, Anthony, St. John, Click, Martin, Humphrey, Lewelling, Nor Till, Leedy and Stanley. It witnessed the rise and fan of tho. Farmers AL lance, the brief triumph of the peo- ple's party and the latter's absorp- tion by the democratic party. It came into existence almost at the beginning of the construction of the state house, ard lives to see the east wing begin to decay.
 EIectricify in the Fields.
 An effort is being made in Sweden to use electricity in agriculture. A seed field is covered by a network of wire and strong electric current is turned on. during nights and chilly days, but cut off during sunny and warm weather The system was in vented by Prof. Lemstrom, of Helsing- fors. Finland, ,7N. \, snps