The crop yields of Nebraska average much higher per acre than the average of the United States as a whole. No further evidence of the truth of this claim is needed than the government statistics showing that Nebraska produces more agricultural wealth per acre than any other state. But in the following table of comparative yields only nine counties in the extreme west end of Nebraska are considered:

     The average yield per acre of potatoes in the United States is 106.1 bushels. The average yield in the nine western countries of Nebraska considered in the above comparisons was 122 bushels per acre. Potato culture in western Nebraska is rapidly becoming one of the most profitable enterprises in that section. The potato production of Nebraska in 1917 was in excess of 14,000,000 bushels. Northwestern Nebraska is particularly adapted to potato production. The nature of the soil makes cultivation and harvesting comparatively easy, and profitable yields are assured if ordinary care is taken to prevent potato diseases that are as likely to blight potatoes in the east as they are to do the same destructive work in the west. Yields of from 175 to 250 bushels to the acre without irrigation are not at all uncommon in western Nebraska, while yields of from 250 to 350 bushels per acre under irrigation are common.

     Five great lines of railway traverse Nebraska from east to west, namely: The Union Pacific, the Northwestern, and three lines of the Burlington. In the eastern section the Rock Island, the Missouri Pacific, and the Minneapolis

Cattle Judging at Dannebrog, Nebr.

& Omaha combine with the roads previously named to cover that section with a perfect network of rails. The Burlington's Billings line to the northwest, and the Union Pacific's Gering extension from North Platte, have opened up a section that is full of possibilities for the homeseeker and investor. From Grand Island east to the Missouri river one may hardly get away from the sound of the "iron horse." West of Grand Island the railroad facilities are not so good, but they are adequate to the imperative needs of the country. The Northwestern's line to the Black Hills traverses the northern and northwestern section of the state. The St. Joseph & Grand Island Road, in combination with the Union Pacific, affords adequate transportation facilities to a rich section of the state. The total mileage of operated railroad in Nebraska is 8,331.99, divided as follows: Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, 375.66; Chicago & Northwestern, 1,306.29; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, 308.30; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 3,601.16; St. Joseph & Grand Island, 131.62; Missouri Pacific, 483.93; Union Pacific, 2,104.60; Omaha Bridge & Terminal, 17.57: Missouri Valley Railway & Bridge Co., 2.86.

NON-IRRIGATED FARMING

     That is the technical name of it, but Nebraskans prefer to call it "dry farming." This system of soil culture is practiced in the west end of the state, where the rainfall, while usually ample, is often not seasonable. The precipitation of moisture during the fall and winter would be ample for crop purposes if it came during the growing season, but often this is not the case. But the moisture is in the ground, and the "dry farming" system merely conserves it and brings it to the surface when the roots of the growing plants need it. The success that has followed this system of cultivation has been little short of marvelous. It has made wonderfully productive a section that a few years ago was deemed fit only for cattle grazing purposes. By the methods employed the moisture is held in the ground instead of being allowed to pass off into the air by evaporation. It must not be understood that there is no rainfall in the non-irrigated sections during the summer months. Often the summer rainfall is sufficient to insure good crops, but then the "dry farming" system adds to the crops produced. Every year sees this system in wider vogue, and always with gratifying results. The homeseeker who buys a farm in what was deemed at one time the "arid regions" of Nebraska, and cultivates it intelligently and industriously, will not fail of reward.

A Little Side Line (and Clothesline) on a Nebraska Farm