The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-08-10

tury Sgo that a progressive calss Of
pioneers came west to build an inland
empire. FOrsaking birthplace and
family ties, they came into Western
Kansas, realizing here mecca for
development. The present. realty
values have been brought about
through their progressiveness and
stick-to-itiveness. When they first
came the Indian, buffalo and prairie
dog, with a scattering of rattlesnakes
and owls held absolute sway.
Unlimited miles of rolling prairie,
with the natural buffalo grass, ap-
peaed to the man who felt that great
herds Of plains cattle were necessary
TO feed the nation Gradually the
Indian figuratively feel back. His
hand gave way that the hand of the
white man might reap advantage of
the resources which nature placed
here, convertible into riches by man
and machinery. The buffalo was al
most exterminated by ruthless slaugh-
ter and his few survivors driven to
the refuge of the natural parks where
only through national foresight will
his kind be preserved to the country.
The long dry summers and winters
cured the buffalo grass and with light
SHOWS an ideal winter pasture was
secured, and only at roundup"
time did the rancher really know his
welath. Cloudy days were rare, only
broken by the occasional dust storm
in early spring or the binding biz
yards during the winter season. Old
timers boasted of sunshine at least
800 days out of the year and the dis
position of the men reflected the
weather.
The farmer gradually came in and
infringed upon the free range over
which the cattle men had long reign
ed supreme-and many and bitter
were the strifes before the farmer
was secure in his position. Today
that condition has changed. The
stocl1man has augmented his profes-
sion by raising his own stock in some
sections of Western Kansas and the
cattle industry is really sturdier OF
operation.
The agriculturalist soon realized
that the soil was rich and that with
sufficient moisture would produce ar
abundance. The securing of the
moisture was a problem which at
times became very serious, when only
dashing showers were sent in answer
TO the land mans pleading.
A proper combination of ''brains
and brawn' was the only apparent
solution to the problem. 1t was soon
realized that the farmer who merely
scratched the surface with his illing
could not raise a crop which could
withstand the drouth conditions. He
who plowed deep and covered the
surface with the finely pulverizeC
dust mulch conserved such moisture
as came his way, saved his crop, de
creased evaporation and paved hi!
way for the climatic change which
was bound to come as the result o,
intelligent cultivation. Hence the
inauguration of ''dry farming
methods in Western Kansas. Deser
conditions, such as mirages and othe
evidences of dryness have in the mali
today disappeared and one is a rare
thing which attracts the attention an6
interest of present day people. The!
have assumed their particular shell
in the archives of history of this man
made earth crust. Today the amlbi
tious maiden can well wash away he
freckles in the "dews of May" il
Ellis county. Long periods of humid
= ity are observed, fogs are cOmOn
and the dashing shower has given wa,
TO soaking rains of several days.
Thus the period OF evolution bring
US down to the present day where tn
opportunities of Ellis county are cry
ing to the young farmer of the NOR
congested sections to locate here
There is not a section Of the past tina
offers better opportunities.