Kansas

KANSAS, popularly known as the "Sunflower State," is the central commonwealth of the United States, lying between 37° and 40° N. and 38' and 102° I' 34" W. It is bounded on the north by Nebraska, on the east by Missouri, on the south by Oklahoma, and on the west by Colorado. The State is nearly rectangular in shape, with a breadth of about 2 i om. from north to south and a length of about 41 om. from east to west ; the total area is 82,158 sq.m., 384 of which are water surface.

Physical Features.

Three physiographic regions may be distinguished within the State—the first, a small portion of the Ozark uplift in the extreme south-east corner ; the second, the Prairie plains, covering approximately the eastern third of the State ; the third, the Great plains, covering the remaining area. Between the latter two there is only the most gradual transition. The entire State is indeed practically an undulating plain, gently sloping from west to east at an average of about 7ft. per mile. There is also an inclination in the eastern half from north to south, as indicated by the course of the rivers, most of which flow south-easterly (the Kansas, with its general easterly course, is the principal exception), the north-west corner being the highest por tion of the State. The lowest point in the State, in its south-east part, in Montgomery county, is 7ooft. above sea-level. The maxi mum elevation, 4,135ft., is attained on the western boundary in Greeley and Wallace counties. The mean elevation for the State is nearly 2,000ft., but somewhat more than half the total area is below that elevation. The gently rolling prairie surface is diversi fied by an endless succession of broad plains, isolated hills and ridges and moderate valleys. In places there are terraced uplands, and in others the undulating plain is cut by erosion into low escarp ments. The bluffs on the Missouri are in places 2ooft. high, and the valley of the Cimarron, in the south-west, has deep cuts, al most gorges. The west central portion has considerable irregulari ties of contour, and the north-west is distinctively hilly. In the

south-west, below the Arkansas river, is an area of sand-hills, and the Ozark plateau region, as above stated, extends into the south east corner, though not there much elevated. The great central valley is traversed by the Kansas (or Kaw) river, which, inclusive of the Smoky Hill branch, extends the entire length of the State, with lateral valleys on the north. Another broad valley is formed in the south half of the State by the Arkansas river, with lateral valleys on the north and south. The south-east portion contains the Neosho and smaller valleys. In the extreme south-west is the valley of the Cimarron, and along the south boundary is a net work of the south tributaries of the Arkansas. Numerous small affluents of the Missouri enrich and diversify the north-east guar ter. The streams of Kansas are usually fed by perennial springs, and, as a rule, the east and middle portions of the State are well watered. Most of the streams maintain a good flow of water in the driest seasons, and in case of heavy rains many of them "un derflow" the adjacent bottom lands, saturating the permeable substratum of the country with the surplus water, which in time drains out and feeds the subsiding streams. This feature is par ticularly true of the Saline, Solomon and Smoky Hill rivers. The west part is more elevated and water is less abundant.

The soil of the upland prairies is generally a deep rich clay loam of a dark colour. The bottom lands near the streams are a black, sandy loam; and the intermediate lands, or "second bot toms," are a rich and deep black loam, containing little sand. These soils are very easily cultivated, free from stones, and ex ceedingly productive. There are exceptional spots on the upland prairies composed of stiff clay not as easily cultivated, but highly productive when properly managed and enriched. The south west section is distinctively sandy.