156 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



[OL'tober, 



The Victoria Colony in Kansas. 



THE GRANT ESTATE — STOf'K-RAISING — PROFITS OF 

 FARMING ON THE PRAIRIES. 



Three years ago Victoria (Ellis county) was un- 

 known, but with the advi^iit of the Kansas Pacific 

 Railway a new order of thing.* has taken the place of 

 the old savage life which had existed for centuries. 

 All along the line of the road towns and villages, with 

 here and there a conijiaratively large city, have grown 

 up, making central points from which civilization is 

 extending for many miles into the interior. Settlers 

 are becoming more numerous, and are taking advan- 

 tage, of the provisions of the Homestead law, which 

 gives them a sufficient number of acres on which to 

 build a home, and to secure a comfortable existence. 

 Law and order prevail, and jiroperty is as safe and 

 well protected as in the more densely populated States 

 of the East. The plains of middle Kansas are pre- 

 eminently adapted by nature to the nourishment and 

 protection of cattle, slice]), ami other live stock. 

 They have been aptly termed the stock-grazing 

 ground of the nation. Million^ of cattle, sheep and 

 horses can be fed, watered and cared for on these 

 plains, summer and winter, at the lowest possible 

 cost. Nature has ho\intifully provided nutritious 

 grasses for sheep and cattle, which, with the excep- 

 tion of a very few days in the depth of winter, is ac- 

 cessible the year round. This new ground, opened up 

 for the enrichment of the nation and the development 

 of its resources, is also remarkably fertile in the pro- 

 duction of grain. Rye, wheat, barley, millet, corn 

 and alfalfa clover yield immense crops to the acre, 

 and besides furnishing winter feed for the horses, 

 cattle and sheep, return a lai'ge money income to the 

 farmer. 



George Grant, of London, England, soon after the 

 Kansas Pacific Railroad began to run its through 

 trains, was induced to visit this part of the United 

 States, with a view of investment, and afterspending 

 several weeks in traveling over Kansas, saw so many 

 evidences of the natural advantages of these plains, 

 that he decided to invest a large sum of money in 

 founding a colony which should test, practically and 

 intelligently, the special adaptation of these prairies 

 to stock-raising, and bring into the market a part of 

 the country hitlierto i-egarded as barren and unfruit- 

 ful. Mr. (irant subsequently entered into a contract 

 with the Kansas Paeitie Railway for the purchase of 

 the largest tract of land owned by any one person in 

 the United States, and exceeding in area any duke- 

 dom in Eurojie. This immense estate he divided into 

 sections or stock farms one mile square, which are 

 well watered and suitable for raisiugstock and grain. 

 Many of the sections, from the peculiar formation of 

 the land, contain natural corrals or shelters for sheep 

 and cattle, and needonly a short line of fence to afi'ord 

 a perfect winter protection for the stock. The colony 

 is also advantageously situated, a portion of the es- 

 tate lying contiguous to and surrounding Fort Hayes, 

 one of the principal permanent military stations of 

 the West. Denver, with its wealth and comforts of 

 civilized life, is within an easy journey westward by 

 rail ; when one leaves Victoria in the early morning 

 is reached at supper-time without fatigue or discom- 

 fort. Equally distant from Victoria, eastward, is 

 Kansas City, and a night's ride beyond terminates at 

 St. Louis. New York is only fi'2 hours from Victoria, 

 and the traveler may breakfast at the Langham 

 Hotel, London, in less than 1+ days after leaving Mr. 

 Grant's hospitable mansion. 



The Victoria estate ditfers from other settlements 

 in this country in several important particulars. Mr. 

 Grant has sub-divided his estate into large farms, and 

 sells only to settlers of assured character and po- 

 sition, who wiil devote themselves to raising improved 

 breeds of sheep, cattle and horses, and cultivate the 

 land according to the progressive farming ideas of 

 the ])resent day. The unsurpassed advantages of the 

 climate, soil, grass, water and shelter of this district 

 are peculiarly favorable to the growth and improve- 

 ment of live stock ; and Mr. Grant believes that a 

 breed of sheep, cattle and honses will be developed on 

 these plains fully equal to tlie best breeds of Europe. 

 Foot-rot and kindred diseases are unknown here, 

 owing to the high elevation and dryness of climate. 

 Mr. Grant began his new enterprise by importing 

 English long-woolcd rams, selected from the first 

 flocks of Ene-land, eliiefiy Oxford Downs, Cotswolds, 

 Lincolns, Leieesters and Shropshircs. He then pur- 

 chased Colorado graded ewes for breeding, and the 

 experiment of crossing the merinos with the long- 

 wools resulted most favorably. Besides the general 

 improvement in Ibrni, size and weight, they clipped 

 from seven to ten pounds of wool, being nearly 

 double that of the native stock. The English 

 rams cost from $15(1 to $250 each, but this out- 

 lay has been amply repaid in the marked im- 

 provement shown in the merinos crossed with this 

 best imported blood. The sheej) are divided into 

 flocks of about 1,000 each, under the charge 

 of separate shepherds, and remain out in the oix-n 

 prairie more than three-foiu'ths of the year. Mr. 

 Grant has built extensive covered corrals of the Kan- 

 sas stone found here in great quantities, for winter 

 shelter, and in stormy weather feeds crushed corn. 

 The cost is comparatively small, and out of a flock of 

 7,000 ewes there was a loss of only 1 per cent, during 



the winter. This Mr. Grant attributes to the perfect 

 shelter and corn feed. Experiments made by the 

 head shepherd with certain flocks, by feeding hay 

 instead of corn, jiroduced a greater death-rate, and 

 corn was substituted with most beneficial results. 

 Mr. Grant sums up his experience on this point in the 

 opinion that proper shelter with a feed of crushed 

 corn wiil carry a flock of sheep safely through the 

 winter with no appreciable loss. Mr. Grant has in- 

 creased his flock this season to 10,000 ewes, and is 

 arranging to have on his estate 100,000 of improved 

 breeds within five years. An estimate has been made 

 of the probable results of sheep-farming at Victoria, 

 basing the flgures on past experience, and it shows 

 that beginning with a flock of 1,000 breeding ewes 

 and 30 rams, the annual increase and profits in ten 

 years, at the lowest estimate, will amount at least to 

 $200,000. As to cattle, Mr. Grant uses only first- 

 class imported short horns of the Booth and Bates 

 strain, some of which are the finest animals ever 

 seen in this country. He has also four bulls, known 

 in Europe as the pure Angus Poll, but almost un- 

 known here, and which in the London market bring 

 a higher price as beef than any other cattle. In the 

 ultimate success of this breed in crossing native 

 stock Mr. Grant has the fullest confidence. These 

 noble-looking animals, full, round, and deep-chested, 

 with short legs, are exceedingly robust in appearance, 

 and may be described as "all beef." At their pres- 

 ent age, three years, they weigh on an average 2,200 

 pounds each. The 200 young calves sired by them 

 are fine specimens of the improved breed and closely 

 resemble their sires. In all, Mr. Grant has 500 native 

 cows of the best class and approved colors, from 

 which, and his frequent purchases, he will possess 

 in a few years one of the finest herds in the United 

 States. "These cattle are under the charge of herders, 

 and are quartered for the summer on what is known 

 as the Smoky Hill Ranche, which is supplied with 

 running water from the Smoky Hill river, and shel- 

 tered by Cottonwood and elm trees. This ranche 

 is about 15 miles from Victoria Depot. The winter 

 ranches are on the Victoria river, and the sheep and 

 cattle occupy a frontage of clear running water ex- 

 tending fully 10 miles in length. In horses, Mr. 

 Grant has about oO very fine brood mares, most of 

 them of high pedigree, by sires such as Bonnie Scot- 

 land, and other thoroughbreds. These have been 

 served by his imported stallion Flodden, sired by the 

 celebrated English stallion Thormanby, the winner 

 of the English Derby in IStiO. The pedigree of Flod- 

 den dates back to the reign of Charles II. He is a 

 gold bay, with black points, W'i hands high, and 

 shows his lineage in every movement. The crops of 

 Middle Kansas this season are unusually fine and 

 have escaped the ravages of the grasshopper. A 

 few hours before we reached Victoria, we saw on the 

 line of the railroad a fleld of wheat two miles long 

 and one mile wide, containing about 1,S00 acres, near- 

 ly ready to cut, and valued at $27,000 over and above 

 the expen.se of planting and harvesting. Mr. Grant 

 has on his farm 225 acres of rye, expected to yield 

 from 40 to 50 bushels per acre, and 125 acres of mil- 

 let, which will cut fully three tons to the acre. He 

 has besides equally good crops of wheat, alfalfa and 

 corn. The crops on the adjoining farms of Messrs. 

 Gunther, nephews of ex-Mayor Gunther of New 

 York, the Hon. Walter Maxwell, Walter Shields, and 

 other settlers on the Victoria estate, also give prom- 

 ise of an abundant harvest. Altogether, the Victoria 

 Colony is in a prosperous condition and its success 

 assured. The class of settlers and the continued im- 

 provement in the breeds of sheep, cattle and horses 

 must ultimately largely benefit this unrivaled graz- 

 ing country, and add materially to its wealth and 

 prosperity. — Correspondence N. Y. Tribune. 



THE GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 



Work to be done in November. 



VEGETAHI.E GARDEN. 



LHtnec and Cnbhagesm frames should be frequently 

 aired to make them hardy. 



Thin out Winter Spinach, Corn Salad and yomifj 

 Oniotis, and in very cold localities cover lightly with 

 litter. 



Put Celery in trenches a foot wide, and as deep as 

 the plants are tall. Pack closely and cover with litter 

 when there is danger of hard freezing. 



Cabhar/en keep best by inverting the heads, setting 

 close together and covering with several inches of 

 earth. 



Finish harvesting the root crops. If there is not 

 room in the root-cellar put them in a pit. 



Late Turnips, Pamnips, Oijsier Plants and Horse 

 Badish should be last cared for, as freezing and 

 thawing injure them little. Those not needed before 

 spring may be left in the ground with slight pro- 

 tection . 



Use every spare moment in digging the ground and 

 manuring whenever it is needed. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Plantin;/ may continue if the season remains favor- 

 able. 



As soon as the leaves fall, prune grape vines; lay 

 down tender varieties and cover them with earth. 



Bend down the tender sorts of Raspberries and cover 

 the cones with earth. 



Strawberry beds should be covered with straw, 

 leaves, or other material when the ground freezes. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Bulbs which have not been planted may be put in 

 as long as the ground can be worked. The bulb 

 beds should be well covered with litter, and thus held 

 in place by boards laid over it. 



Storing tender bulbs and protecting plants should 

 be pushed forward rapidly. Put all into winter 

 quarters. 



Zonale (?erfl?ii?(ms, not needed forthe conservatory, 

 may be put into the cellar — in boxes or hiuigup. 



Cover Iicrbaceons perennials with littery manure; 

 cover leader shrnbs with straw; collect leaves for com- 

 post; clear up rubbish; and put vases and moveable 

 trellises under cover. 



See that all newly planted trees are well staked 

 and protected from the winter wind. Give the roots 

 a good mulching of leaves or litter — it is a great bene- 

 fit to them. 



CONSERVATORY AND HOUSE PLANTS. 



Dutch bulbs should be put in glasses or pots. 



Be sure and keej) potted bulbs in a dark cool place 

 until well rooted. 



Do not keep plants too warm — sun heat is generally 

 sufficient at this season of the year. 



Top dress the i)Ots by removing the surface soil and ^ 

 replacing with new and fresh. 



Camellias should be kept free from dust, and moist. 



Autumn-flowering Oxalis is now in bloom, and must 

 be kept in the sun in order to bloom freely. 



Work to be done in December. , 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Cold frames must be closely looked after. 



Canliflower is less hardy than cabbage or lettuce, 

 and the sash over it will need to be covered with 

 straw mats on cold nights. 



Accumulate manure. A great deal is thrown away 

 that should be put in the compost heap. Collect all 

 litter, leaves and rubbish, not needed to protect 

 plants, and add this to your manure pile. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



All plants in cold pits and cellars should be kept in 

 a state of rest^with only water enough to keep them 

 from drying up. Neglected November work must be 

 done forthwith. 



CONSERVATORY AND HOUSE PLANTS. 



A trying season for house plants is approaching. 

 Do not at any time air them — except for a few min- 

 utes while the thermometer is below thirty-five de- 

 grees in the shade. During very severe frosts plants 

 should, at night, be withdrawn from the window to 

 the centre of the room. Never give water until the 

 soil is inclining to become dry — except to Hyacinths 

 and other bulbs in a growing state. Destroy insects 

 as soon as they appear. Clean the foliage with sponge 

 and sprinkle frequently to remove all dust. The wa- 

 ter used must not be warmer than eighty degrees; 

 and sixty degrees is preferable. Turn the plants fre- 

 quently to prevent their growing to one side. 



The great difficulty with house plants is a dry 

 atmosphere. Water should be kept upon the stove 

 or in the furnace. An open fire in the room requires 

 no water. 



Bulbs that were potted in October, and are well 

 rooted, may be placed where they will have heat and 

 light. 



Women as Horticulturists. 



An intelligent lady correspondent of the Chicago 

 Farmer argues for Horticulture as a suitable employ- 

 ment for women. She says, if a boy shows any par- 

 ticular preference in any particular direction, he is 

 generally allowed to become master of it. Then why 

 not the same with a girl '! Whatever she shows ap- 

 titude for let her become perfect in it, whether it be 

 teaching, book-keeping, telegraphing, reporting, etc. 

 There may be no apparent use for such, and if in the 

 years to come no necessity arrives for a practical use 

 of such knowledge, no harm has been done. 



I know we who are toiling and saving, laying up 

 for such treasures, striving to shield them i'rom all 

 care or knowledge of such ; we cannot think that 

 misfortune could ever tarry at their door ; we cannot 

 bear to open their eyes to the other side ot^ life, but 

 justice ought to be done. We would not send our 

 boys out into the world without some little fitting An' 

 it, and they are naturally more able to battle for 

 themselves. So let us prepare our girls, lor how often 

 do we feel the bitterness of not knowing what to do. 

 The most thoughtless of persons who have lived to 

 be eighteen years of age, have seen the changes that 

 have and do take place; the uncertainty of riches and 

 the comforts and ease their possession can give. One 

 may be born surrounded with wealth; a father may 

 die, and with him depart the living. "They may leave 

 our protection for their own homes, that seem so 

 bright with life's sunshine; even then changes may 

 come. There is sickness and death and other sad 

 ways to bring want into previous happy homes, and 

 then we may be powerless to save. Then there will 



