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CHAPTER IV.

SOIL -- AGRICULTURE -- FRUIT -- STOCK RAISING AND SHEEP HUSBANDRY.

SOIL

     The unrivalled [sic] fertility of her soil, places Nebraska in the front rank among the great grain producing States of the Union. The soil of the table and up-land is composed of what is known as the Lacustrine or Loess deposit, which is the most valuable for agricultural purposes. This deposit prevails over more than three-fourths of the surface of the State, and is of uniform color, it ranges in thickness from 5 to 150 feet, and in some places in the northeastern Counties it is even 200 feet thick.

     Prof. Samuel Aughey, State Geologist, recently made an analysis of this soil, taken from different parts of the State, for the purpose of showing the chemical properties and homogenous character of the lacustrine deposits, which is given in the following table, with accompanying remarks from the Professor's pen. No. 1 is from Douglas County; No. 2 from the bluffs near Kearney, in Buffalo County; No. 3 is from the Loup; No. 4 from Clay County, and No. 5 from Harlan County, in the Republican Valley.

COMPOSITION OF SOIL.

No. 1.

No. 2.

No. 3.

No. 4.

No. 5.

Insoluble (silicious) matter

81.28

81.32

81.35

81.30

81.32

Ferric Oxide

3.86

3.87

3.83

3.85

3.86

Alumina

.75

.75

.74

.73

.74 4

Lime, Carbonate

6.07

6.06

6.03

6.05

6.09

Lime, Posphate

3.58

3.59

3.58

3.57

3.59

Magnesia, Carbonate.

1.29

1.28

1.31

1.31

1.29

Potassa

.27

.29

.35

.34

.33

Soda

.15

.16

.14

.16

.16

Organic Matter

1.07

1.06

1.05

1.06

1.06

Moisture

1.09

1.08

1.09

1.08

1.09

Loss in Analysis

.59

.54

.53

.55

.47

Totals

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

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JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA

77

     "From the above it is seen that over eighty per cent. of this formation is silicious matter, and so finely comminuted is it that the grains can only be seen under a good microscope. So abundant are the carbonates and phosphates of lime, that in many places they form peculiar rounded and oval concretions, vast numbers of these concretions, from the size of a shot to a walnut, are found almost everywhere by turning over the sod, and in excavations. When first exposed they are soft enough to be rubbed fine between the fingers, but they gradually harden by exposure to the open air. The analysis show the presence of a comparatively large amount of iron, besides alumina, soda, potash, etc.

     "As would be expected from its elements, it forms one of the richest and most tillable soils in the world. In fact, in its chemical and physical properties, and the mode of its origin, it comes nearest to the Loess of the Rhine and the Valley of Egypt. It can never be exhausted until every hill and valley which composes it is entirely worn away. Owing to the wonderfully finely comminuted silica of which the bulk of the deposit consists, it possesses natural drainage in the highest degree. However great the floods of water that fall, it soon percolates through this soil, which in its lowest depths, retains it like a sponge. When droughts come, by capillary attraction, the moisture comes up from below, supplying the needs of vegetation in the dryest seasons. This is the reason why all over this region, where this deposit prevails, the native vegetation and cultivated crops are seldom either dried out or drowned out. This is especially the case on old breaking and where deep plowing is practiced.

     "This deposit is a paradise for fruits, especially the apple, plum, grape, and all the small fruits of the temperate zone. They luxuriate in a soil like this, which has perfect natural drainage and is composed of such materials."

     The alluvium deposits are the next most important after the Loess or Lacustrine. From an analysis made of the bottom lands, it appears that, chemically, alluvium differs from the lacustrine cheifly [sic] in having more organic matter and alumina and less silica. The following analysis of bottom soils, by Prof. Aughey, will give an idea of their physical character. The first is from the


78

JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA

Elkhorn, the second from the Platte, the third from the Republican, the fourth from the Blue, and the fifth from an exceptionally wet and sticky soil near Dakota City:

BOTTOM SOILS.

No. 1.

No. 2.

No. 3.

No. 4.

No. 5.

Insoluble (silicious) matter

63.07

63.70

63.01

62.99

61.03

Ferric Oxide

2.85

2.25

2.40

2.47

2.82

Alumina

8.41

7.76

8.36

8.08

10.52

Lime, Carbonate

7.08

7.99

8.01

7.85

7.09

Lime, Phosphate

.90

.85

.99

.94

.98

Magnesia, Carbonate

1.41

1.45

1.39

1.40

1.38

Potash

.50

.54

.61

.67

.60

Soda

49

.52

.54

.58

.57

Sulphuric Acid

.79

.79

.71

.79

.69

Organic Matter

14.00

13.45

13.01

13.27

13.40

Loss in Analysis

.50

.79

.97

.96

.92

Totals

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

     The depth of this soil varies greatly, it often being twenty feet or more in thickness, then again the sand of the sub-soil is reached at a depth of two or three feet. Most of the bottom lands are well drained and are dry and warm, while some are low and cold, and in wet seasons, difficult to work. The bottom lands are the richest in organic matter, and are generally preferred for the raising of corn and vegetables, while the table and rolling lands are selected as the best adapted to small grain, fruits, etc. Yet after many years' experience in the cultivation of these lands the question of the superiority of the one over the other, for general farming purposes, remains undecided. Bottom lands are so well distributed throughout the State, that in the choice of a farm, usually a portion of both bottom and upland is selected.

     Alkali lands are to be found in different sections of the State, but chiefly in the western portion. In the east half there are scarcely any such lands, the majority of the Counties having none at all, while in others there may be only a small spot in a township so affected. These alkali lands, however, are often renovated and eventually made productive for the cereals, by thorough drainage, deep cultivation, and seeding with wheat, especially in the wet seasons.


JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA

79

     The following analysis of these alkali soils, by Prof. Aughey, shows how variable they are. The first was taken from the Platte Bottom, south of North Platte; the second from near Fort Kearney, and the third two miles west of Lincoln:

ALKALI SOILS.

No. 1.

No. 2

No. 3.

Insoluble (silicious) matter

74.00

73.10

73.90

Ferric Oxide

3.80

3.73

3.69

Alumina

2.08

2.29

2.10

Lime, Carbonate

6.01

4.29

3.90

Lime, Phosphate

1.70

1.40

1.49

Magnesia, Carbonate

1.89

1.29

1.47

Potash

1.68

1.80

3.69

Soda, Carbonate and Bicarbonate

5.17

.7.33

4.91

Sodium, Sulphate

.70

.89

.89

Moisture

.99

.88

.98

Organic Matter

1.20

2.10

2.10

Loss in Aanalvsis [sic]

.78

.80

.88

Totals

100.00

100.00

100.00

AGRICULTURE.

     Nebraska is essentially an agricultural State, the bountiful soil, mildness of the climate, and the long seasons of growth, are especially favorable to the cereal crops, and, in fact, to all of the products of the temperate zone, nearly all of which are grown here to perfection, and attain a size and quality seldom found in the older States.

     With the exception of the Republican River Counties, agriculture is confined as yet almost wholly to the east half of the State, the 100th meridian being the dividing line; but there are many large districts west of this which will become, in the near future, valuable as farming lands.

     Wheat is always a sure crop, with proper cultivation, the average yield per acre being about eighteen bushels, although in many of the western Counties the yield is frequently from twenty-five to thirty bushels per acre, and seldom less than twenty. The grain is of a superior quality, with a full, plump berry, usually weighing from sixty-two to sixty-seven pounds per bushel.


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JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA

     The following table will show the wheat crops for the past nine years, as reported by the Assessors:

Year.

No. Bushels.

Year.

No. Bushels

1870

1,848,000

1875

Not reported.

1871

1,829,000

1876

4,330,900

1872

2,560,000

1877

8,759,319

1873

3,584,000

1878

10,349,333

1874

3,619,000

     The Assessors' returns for 1878 are very incomplete, several of the leading wheat growing Counties not reporting at all, so that it would be safe to estimate the wheat crop for that year at 12,000,000 bushels.

     The figures for 1879 cannot be given, as no returns have yet been received from the Counties for that year; but the acreage in wheat was much larger than in preceding years, and the yield uniformly large.

     The following are a few of the leading wheat growing Counties for 1878, according to reports made to the State Board of Agriculture:

County.

Acres.

Bushels.

Saunders

65,095

728,265

Lancaster

58,120

535,428

York

60,177

711,927

Dodge

39,279

471,623

Fillmore

49,882

620,253

Hamilton

42,338

470,931

Cass

47,832

593,783

Boone

37,291

453,406

Saline

48,001

585,102

Adams

36,252

421,873

     The climate of Nebraska is better adapted to spring wheat, and very little winter wheat is grown on account of the open character of the winters.

     Corn grows to perfection on the bottoms, tables, or uplands, and is one of the most profitable crops to the farmer. The yield for 1879 will average at least forty bushels to the acre throughout the State, and the quality is of the very highest grade. No State in the Union excels Nebraska in the production of corn, the soil and climate alike being well adapted to its growth.


JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA

81

     In some localities, or where the cultivation has been more than common, the yield often runs from fifty to one hundred bushels per acre.

     The following statement will show the acreage in corn and the number of bushels raised during the past three years:

Year.

Acres.

Bushels.

1876

850,000

25,500,000

1877

1,132,595

38,817,000

1878

780,721

26,687,860

     More than a dozen of the older Counties have failed to report to the Board of Agriculture for 1878, hence the small returns for that year.

     The following Counties show the largest corn crop for 1878:

Counties.

Acres.

Bushels.

Cedar

72,133

2,826,259

Richardson

61,182

2,215,810

Lancaster

54,659

1,997,993

Saunders

59,794

1,578,366

Johnson

38,742

1,549,697

Saline

35,101

1,491,850

Washington

34,084

1,208,486

Dodge

39,726

1,415,538

Sarpy

27,786

1,016,210

Gage

29,789

938,956

     It is estimated that the corn crop for 1878 will reach 45,000,000 bushels, and for the present year, 1879, in the neighborhood of 50,000,000 bushels.

     Oats are a successful and profitable crop. The yield usually ranges from thirty to seventy bushels per acre, according to culture and location, the average being about forty bushels.

     The following Counties return the largest oat crop for 1878:

Counties.

Bushels.

Lancaster

294,935

Seward

275,845

Dodge

271,351

Sarpy

266,633

Wayne

225,264

York

176,482

Saline

138,403

Red Willow

151,118

Platte

150,639

6

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JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA

Counties.

Bushels.

Gage

154,297

Cedar

163,582

Boone

175,048

     Barley is largely cultivated and is a paying crop. The grain is of fine quality, and the average yield about thirty bushels per acre.

     The barley crop from 1871 to 1877, inclusive, is reported as follows:

Year.

Acres.

Bushels.

1871

8,673

252,000

1872

12,117

309,000

1873

11,837

355,000

1874

14,549

355,000

1876

21,363

470,000

1877

153,764

2,401,420

The Counties showing the largest crops of barley for 1878 are:

Counties.

Acres.

Bushels.

Saline

7,648

189,573

Cedar

6,384

181,260

Cass

5,438

133,687

York

5,153

132,931

Fillmore

6,602

160,881

Hamilton

6,016

99,496

     Rye is grown in almost every County in the State and is an important and valuable crop, the yield ranging from eighteen to thirty-five bushels per acre. It makes an excellent winter pasturage, and farmers with a large lot of stock frequently sow it as much on that account as for the grain.

     The following eight Counties show the largest yield of rye for 1878.

Counties.

Acres.

Bushels.

Dodge

4,825

66,324

York

2,995

46,970

Johnson

2,957

44,485

Colfax

2,853

44,536

Furnas

2,080

42,004

Saunders

3,790

39,598

Polk

2,817

37,692

Merrick

2,503

36,485

     Flax is rapidly becoming an important product in Nebraska. The soil is admirably adapted to its culture, and the yield averages


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