The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-06
TO TRY MACARONI
MulVanes Will Sow 200 Acres
on Western Ranch.
They Have $4,000 Acres of
Land in Hamilton County.
BOUGHT FOR GRAZING.
ID. A. MuIvane Thinks Wheat
May Prove More Profitable.
Says MacarOnf May Change the
Farming System.

"Macaroni wheat says D. A Null
vane. promises to work a revolution
in the farming activities of western
Kansas"
With view to ascertaining just
what can be expected of this drouth
resistant. Mr.. Mulvane is arranging to
plant two hundred acres of Hamilton
county land to it. The result of this
experiment may alter the plans for the
management of the immense tract of
more than $4,000 acres which has been
acquired by the Mulvanes in Hamilton
county for ranch purposes within the
past year. D. A. Mulvane, who looks
after the land and cattle interests of
the Mulvanes, has been purchasing
large amounts of Hamilton county
land. which will be used as an over
flow ranch for the Las Animas, Colo.
cattle raising ranch which has been in
use for a number of years 1t will be
stocked with steers from the other
ranch, pasturage for about $500 head
being afforded, although only about
one-fourth that number have been
placed there at the present time.
The land thus secured is scattered
over an area six miles wide by twelve
miles long 1t is as compactly stu
ated as it has been possible to get it,
although it is interspersed with the
land belonging to settlers or to the
government Very little of it has ever
been devoted to any purpose other
than pasturage, as not much is suit
able for the growing of any crop so far
raised in Kansas. But the RECENTLY in
troduced macaroni wheat. brought
from the bleak table lands of Russia,
may prove hardy enough for the un-
conges.ial climate of this and other
western Kansas counties. And Mr..
Mulvane is looking forward with deep
interest to the outcome of his first
planting. On Kansas lands the grow
ing of this variety of wheat is still in
Its experimental stage
Ihree years ago it was introduced
into this country by Prof M A earle
ton, cerealist of the United States de-
partment of agriculture. 1t requires a
dry climate and localities in this coun-
try have proven so fifty adapted to its
growth that by the third wear after. its
introduction it has become widely in
use in the northwest The total of last
seasons crop amounted to 10 900 OOt
bushels This was raised chiefly in the
DakotaS- Its first trial in Kansas has
not been altogether successful. as last
season was too moist. The crop cond1-
tons which rolled up the output OF
Kansas to its highest figure for Turkey
hard winter wheat were not altogether
favorable to the development of the
macaroni variety and with the exception
OF the experiments in Logan county tn,
venture was not particularly profitable
But Hamilton county presents condi-
tons very similarN to those prevailing II
the native country of the cereal. Speak
ing of his proposed experiment, Mr.
Mulvane said today:
We have purchased our Hamilton
county land with the view OF estab
fishing simply cattle raising ranch 1
consists altogether of pasture, for con
ditions are not suitable to farming O
any sort, and we will not attempt t,
raise alfalfa there. But the introduc
ton of macarOni wheat to this countr,
may make complete change in tn,
farming affairs of the western part o
the state I do not know what can b.
done with the crop, but propose to fine
out. If the grain proves to be adapted
to the climate it may revoIutioniz
western Kansas. There may be NOR,
money in raising macaroni wheat thar
in grazing CATTLE.
Mr. Mulvane says the attitude of tn,
government officials upon the enforce
ment of the law prohibiting the intimi
dalton of settlers from taking up west
ern Kansas land is all right. Said he:
There is no need for any conflict be
tween. the interests of small land holder,
and large era zers. In most instance,
their real interest is common and il
our vicinity we encourage the home
stealing of all the vacant land there is