Farming in Sumner
FARMING IN
SUMNER COUNTY
Farming is the principal industry in Sumner County. Known as the "Wheat Capital of the World", the county regularly produces more wheat than any place on earth.
This page is dedicated to all the hard working farmers who have dedicated their lives to feeding the world and making us the "breadbasket of America". This page will have information on the early days of farming, and the trials and tribulations of those who worked hard to raise their crops.
The page is small now...check back often for additions.
A Letter To The Editor about farming in 1877
GUELPH, KANS.
MAY 17, 1877
(The following "Letter to the Editor" appeared in the May 17, 1877 edition of the Sumner County Democrat. It was from a citizen in Guelph, Kansas, one of our cities from yesterday that was located 6 miles east and 1 mile south of South Haven.)
Editors Democrat: -- This part of Sumner County is blest with a fair prospect for a bountiful harvest. -- The wheat is from eighteen to twenty four inches tall and beginning to head nicely. Oats do not look as well as they usually do at this season of the year, but the present wet weather will develop them. Some are cultivating corn, while others are just planting. People seem to think that they are sure of a good corn crop if they plant any time between February and August.
There will be some cherries and a sprinkle of strawberries. The prospect for peaches is very flattering. -- We all expect our reward for cultivating the peach tree.
On west Bitter creek we have a factory for manufacturing gypsum into cement and land plaster. They haul the gypsum from Spring creek, a few miles south of the line. They dispose of the cement and plaster at Wichita, Arkansas City, and neighboring towns.
Our township raises a great deal of wheat, which has to be hauled to Wichita, the nearest railroad town. -- We are in great need of a railroad.
Think of a school only two miles from the Territory line that averages twenty scholars, and compares well with more eastern schools in intellect, although not so well advanced in the usual text books. Life on the frontier is not usually one of education and culture, but rather one of hard work and hardships, without the refining influences that cluster around the older States. The people are fully awake to the benefits of education, and are trying to engage good teachers and keep the rising generation in the path of knowledge.
Yours, & c.,
L.J.K.
SUMNER COUNTY
Farming is the principal industry in Sumner County. Known as the "Wheat Capital of the World", the county regularly produces more wheat than any place on earth.
This page is dedicated to all the hard working farmers who have dedicated their lives to feeding the world and making us the "breadbasket of America". This page will have information on the early days of farming, and the trials and tribulations of those who worked hard to raise their crops.
The page is small now...check back often for additions.
A Letter To The Editor about farming in 1877
GUELPH, KANS.
MAY 17, 1877
(The following "Letter to the Editor" appeared in the May 17, 1877 edition of the Sumner County Democrat. It was from a citizen in Guelph, Kansas, one of our cities from yesterday that was located 6 miles east and 1 mile south of South Haven.)
Editors Democrat: -- This part of Sumner County is blest with a fair prospect for a bountiful harvest. -- The wheat is from eighteen to twenty four inches tall and beginning to head nicely. Oats do not look as well as they usually do at this season of the year, but the present wet weather will develop them. Some are cultivating corn, while others are just planting. People seem to think that they are sure of a good corn crop if they plant any time between February and August.
There will be some cherries and a sprinkle of strawberries. The prospect for peaches is very flattering. -- We all expect our reward for cultivating the peach tree.
On west Bitter creek we have a factory for manufacturing gypsum into cement and land plaster. They haul the gypsum from Spring creek, a few miles south of the line. They dispose of the cement and plaster at Wichita, Arkansas City, and neighboring towns.
Our township raises a great deal of wheat, which has to be hauled to Wichita, the nearest railroad town. -- We are in great need of a railroad.
Think of a school only two miles from the Territory line that averages twenty scholars, and compares well with more eastern schools in intellect, although not so well advanced in the usual text books. Life on the frontier is not usually one of education and culture, but rather one of hard work and hardships, without the refining influences that cluster around the older States. The people are fully awake to the benefits of education, and are trying to engage good teachers and keep the rising generation in the path of knowledge.
Yours, & c.,
L.J.K.