shipment. There was no effort at grading, no effort to keep varieties separate. As a result the prices were discouragingly low and there really was no money in raising apples for market. Finally the apple growers organized and adopted strict rules for grading and marketing, and the marketing was done largely upon a cooperative basis. With scientific cultivation and scientific grading and marketing, Nebraska apples soon won a high place on the market. Today Nebraska apples are in demand all over the country.
     The result of this intelligent cultivation has been the renewal of hundreds of old orchards and the planting of hundreds of new ones. Some of the finest apple orchards in America are to be found in Southeastern Nebraska, and their output is often contracted for a year in advance at a premium over the market price. There seems to be something in the soil of Southeastern Nebraska that gives a peculiar flavor and color to the apples produced thereon, and these apples are remarkable for their flavor and color and not merely for their size.
     The early settlers in Eastern Nebraska planted small orchards-then trusted to Providence. The result was abandoned orchards. For a few years the orchards prospered, and this naturally resulted in the planting of many. Then came a long period of years in which apple growing was considered to be a financial joke, and orchard owners were content with the few apples they needed for their own use. Then happened an incident that gave apple growing for market a new impetus. Many years ago a huge apple orchard was planted near Falls City, but it proved unprofitable under con-

Nebraska Hospital for Insane, Ingleside

ditions then existing, and for many years it was leased to men for the hay they could cut between the rows. A. J. Weaver, an attorney of Falls City, became the owner of the orchard. Failing health impelled him to temporarily abandon the practice of law and get out into the open. He proceeded to give his attention to the big orchard. He employed expert "tree doctors" and expert orchardists. He studied the business from every angle. Under his direction the orchard was cultivated scientifically. The ground was dynamited, the trees pruned and sprayed; cavities were filled with cement-and the marketing end of the business given careful attention. Today the "Weaver Orchards" are accounted among the big industries of Nebraska, and "Weaver Brand" apples are favorably known wherever apples are marketed. Mr. Weaver's success impelled other orchard owners to devote attention to them. Apple growers organized to study markets and marketing. Old and abandoned orchards were rejuvenated, and today Southeastern Nebraska is one of the greatest apple producing sections in the United States.
     The opportunities for engaging in the apple producing business in Eastern Nebraska are too numerous to mention. Irrigation is not needed. The land is all ready for the setting out of orchards, for there is no need for grubbing or filling. Land that is too rough for profitable farming, but which is ideal for fruit raising, may be obtained for a price per acre that is ridiculously low when compared with the price asked for apple lands further west, and which price is only a starter towards the expense that the purchaser must meet before he even begins to set out his trees. And the orchards of Eastern Nebraska will produce more and better apples per acre than the orchards of almost any other section of America. The apple business is growing more profitable with each succeeding season, as experience shows better methods of grading and marketing. While apples may be successfully grown almost anywhere in Nebraska, the best section seems to be in the Southeastern part of the state. The five counties of Richardson, Nemaha, Cass, Otoe and Johnson annually produce from five to seven million dollars' worth of high grade apples, and enough remain for home consumption and for cider and vinegar purposes. The largest cider vinegar mills in the country are located at Falls City.
     People who want to engage in apple production should carefully investigate Southeastern Nebraska. No other apple producing country offers such opportunities to the man of small means and large industry.

     Shoe strings. I wonder how many Nebraskans know that not only are shoe strings made in Nebraska, but the machinery with which they are manufactured.
     Our industries are more diversified, perhaps than people generally realize.
     Perhaps within the great battle zone in France, chickens are being hatched in incubators made in Nebraska factories. Nebraska stock foods are used extensively in South Africa and other foreign climes to assist in raising better farm animals. Nebraska made gas engines will be found patiently doing their work in far away Russia whenever the population settles down enough to work. Rare Haviland may be found in various places decorated by the use of special patterns designed and manufactured by a Nebraska man.
     It would be easy to copy statistics by the page, but I am assuming that the reader would prefer a more intimate knowledge of some of the unusual things. Within the last few years there has been a wonderful development of the potash and beet sugar industries, both of which will receive special mention on another page. This state proudly boasts of not only being the home of the largest creamery in the world, but of one of its cities being the largest butter producing center in the world. The Brick and Tile industry has been given quite an impetus in recent months because of the great demand for brick and hollow tile for farm buildings. The demand comes through their organization due to intensive co-operative effort. While but few in number, the brass foundries of the state collectively do an extensive business. One, at least, ships its output to all parts of the United States, the railroads perhaps being the largest consumers. Overalls, house dresses, children's garments and various other articles of wearing apparel go out in all directions from Nebraska factories. Steel plate engraving for calling cards, invitations and all classes of business letter heads and printing is rapidly growing in importance. It is not long since all such work was sent out of the State, but there is no further occasion to do so now. Several plants are fully equipped with engravers and presses to do the finest kind of work. While more or less lithographing has, for many years been executed in home plants, yet some continue to think they are better served by concerns located at a distance. We have one exclusive lithographing plant and several who operate such departments in connection with a printing business, most of whom are equipped with modern machinery and use modern methods in production.
     Once upon a time men thought macaroni could only be successfully made in Italy. One man thought different and today we claim to be the home of the largest macaroni plant in the world, with others progressing nicely. Fine ladies in all parts of our country are familiar with toilet preparations compounded in our own laboratories. Little if any broom corn is raised in Nebraska, yet in this state is probably located the largest broom manufacturing concern in the country, a concern that is always abreast of the times. There is at least one more good sized concern and numerous smaller ones in our

midst. A specialty of butter tubs is the business of another concern that sells its entire output without much effort. Most if not all the rubber collars sold in one chain of five and ten cent stores bear the label of a Nebraska factory. One article we all see much of and know little of the process of manufacturing is floor tile. The only plant of its kind west of Indiana pays its taxes in Nebraska. Index tags, widely advertised and sold the world over, are successfully manufactured in one of our smaller towns. Refrigerators minus corners and cracks on the inside to collect dirt are one of the popular products of a progressive factory. If you are a building contractor it will pay you to investigate a mechanically accurate saw filer, the idea of a Nebraska genius. It will materially reduce the time ordinarily consumed by the mechanic in filing his saws and thus give you a greater number of productive hours. Hog cholera serum is naturally produced in large quantities because of the large number of hogs raised here every year. You who drive automobiles, if you will examine your cars will probably be surprised to find that a Nebraska factory produced the spark plug through which your battery ignites the gas. Nebraska flour mills of which there are a great number are turning out flour and other products, the equal of any on the market.
     The purpose of this article has been to touch on a few of the unusual industries that people generally know little about.
    The 1910 census shows 3,500 factories in this state. Within the past few years many new factories have started up and the next Government report will show a considerable increase.
     It is estimated that the value of the 1917 factory output was in excess of $250,000,000.

     The Fish and Game Commission in Nebraska has had a continuous existence of more than a quarter of a century. During that time it has planted millions of fish in Nebraska streams and lakes, thus adding to the food supply and at the same time affording pleasant and healthful recreation for the citizens who love the outdoors. The main fish hatchery is at South Bend, in the eastern part of the state. A branch fish hatchery is maintained at Valentine, Cherry county. Northern and Northwestern Nebraska contain many streams and lakes in which bass, croppie, walleyed pike and trout flourish. The lakes in the "Sandhills" region are natural bass waters, being clear and cold, with plenty of wild rice and moss to afford feeding grounds and lurking places. There are scores of fishing clubs maintaining "shacks" on the shores of these lakes. The trout streams in Northwestern Nebraska are favorite fishing resorts, and the commission annually plants millions of trout therein. In Eastern Nebraska, bullheads, channel cat and perch are planted freely. The laws protect the game fish.

     Not many years ago Nebraska was a real "big game" country. It was the home of the buffalo, antelope and deer; and occasionally elk was found in large numbers. That day has vanished into the limbo of departed things. The "market hunter" destroyed the big game. But the "market hunter" no longer is permitted to ply his trade in this state. It is unlawful to kill deer or antelope at any time. There is a closed season on all kinds of fish and game, and it is necessary to obtain a license before one may legally hunt and fish in Nebraska during the open season. But the lover of rod and gun will find more opportunities for sport in Nebraska during the open season. Duck shooting is always good along the Platte and Republican rivers, and upon the hundreds of beautiful lakes that dot Northwestern Nebraska. Prairie chickens are still found in the wide open places, and occasionally in Eastern Nebraska. Grouse shooting is usually good in season in the western part of the state. But the lover of rod and reel is always assured of success during the open season, for the streams and lakes are well stocked. Every lover of outdoor sports should visit the fish hatcheries at South Bend and Valentine. The Fish and Game Commission will soon have a fine new "fish car" in which to transport fish for planting the Nebraska lakes and streams, the new car taking the place of an old one that has performed good service for a quarter of a century. Interested sportsmen should communicate with Deputy Game Warden George Koster, Lincoln, and obtain copies of the fish and game laws of Nebraska.

     There is scarcely an incorporated town or village in Nebraska that does not boast of a live local newspaper. The weekly field is thoroughly covered, and no state can boast of better or more loyal publications. The daily newspaper field is well covered. In addition to the daily newspapers of Omaha and Lincoln there are daily papers in Fremont, Columbus, Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, Norfolk, Hastings, York, and Beatrice. Class publications are numerous, covering almost every industry. The wonderful development and prosperity of Nebraska is due in largest measure to the newspapers of the state. In season and out of season they have told the story of Nebraska's opportunities and marvelous development. They have been behind every movement for the development of the state's resources, giving freely of their space without thought of reward other than the satisfaction that comes from performing a duty.
      The first newspaper published in Nebraska was established at Brownsville by Robert W. Furnas, afterwards governor of the state.
     Nebraska newspaperdom points with pride to the newspapermen who received their first lessons in the profession in this commonwealth and who have since achieved national fame. Among them may be mentioned Will

Payne, of the Saturday Evening Post; Walter Wellman, for years with the Chicago Record-Herald; Walt Mason, the poet philosopher; Ed Howe, who made the Atchison Globe famous; Willa Sibert Cather, long connected with the McClure publications. Johnson and Briggs, famous cartoonists, are also Nebraska born artists whose success in the art branch of newspaperdom has shed lustre upon their state.

     A mistake only too common among people who are not familiar with Nebraska is that this state is a treeless plain. Nothing could be further from the truth. True, Nebraska is a "prairie state," but the fact still remains that hundreds of thousands of acres are covered with timber. The Missouri river bluffs are heavily timbered, and timber is plentiful along the water courses of the state. Immense tracts of timber, chiefly pine, are found in Northwestern and Northeastern Nebraska. Under the old "timber claim" law millions of trees were set out upon the prairies in the early days of the state, with the result that today immense quantities of fuel are obtained therefrom, and a sawmill in active operation is no uncommon sight in Nebraska. "Arbor Day," now a holiday in many states, originated in Nebraska. Hon. J. Sterling Morton, secretary of agriculture in the second Cleveland cabinet, is the founder of Arbor Day. April 22, Mr. Morton's birthday, is a legal holiday in Nebraska. On that date it is customary for the schools to celebrate the day by planting trees and giving a program that will stimulate love for the great outdoors and the cultivation of trees of all kinds. Under the stimulus given by "Arbor Day" many millions of trees have been planted in Nebraska. It is no longer possible to get out of sight of timber and orchards in Nebraska. There are two federal forest reserves in Nebraska, and under direction of experienced foresters a great start has been made towards forestration of the "Sandhills" regions of the northwestern part of the state.

     Meat packing is the largest single industry in Nebraska; so large that Omaha is now the third largest packing center in the world. This fact has much to do with Nebraska's position at the very top in the matter of beef, pork and mutton production. Sixty per cent of the meats packed at Omaha are produced in Nebraska.
     The immense stockyards at Omaha were founded more than thirty years ago. Prior to that time all hogs and cattle had to be shipped to Chicago, and in those days transportation facilities were meagre as compared with the

facilities of today. Several small packing plants were established at South Omaha soon after the stockyards were opened, but neither the independent packing plants nor the stockyards flourished until several of the big packing companies were interested. With the establishment of plants by Armour and Swift and Morris, the growth of the stockyards and packing industries at South Omaha was phenomenal. They gave a new impetus to cattle feeding and pork production in Nebraska by affording a steady and safe market that could be reached in a very short time, with a consequent decrease in shrinkage and expense of care en route. While building up this market for the finished product of the range and feed lot, a "feeder market" was also built. Every year sees thousands of buyers flocking to the stockyards at Omaha to purchase feeder cattle, hogs and sheep. The great cattle, hog and sheep market of Omaha is less than twenty hours distance from the remotest part of Nebraska.

     Nebraska has taken advantage of the federal offer of aid in building good roads. Dr. George E. Condra, of the Conservation and Welfare Commission, has issued a comprehensive bulletin dealing with "road materials" to be found in Nebraska. Those interested may obtain a copy of this bulletin by communicating with Dr. Condra, University of Nebraska.
     The Lincoln Highway traverses Nebraska from east to west, following the Platte river almost the entire way. It is naturally a good road, but under intelligent direction it is being improved at a rapid rate, and is even now one of the best 500-mile stretches of that magnificent national highway.
     Many counties have created the position of county highway commissioner, and in these counties the roads are being permanently improved along well defined plans, instead of being left to the old hit-or-miss methods. The road drag is immensely popular in Nebraska, and through its use the roads are getting better all the time.

     The possibilities of developing hydro-electric power in Nebraska are to all intents and purposes unlimited. Enough power is going to waste every day in the Loup, Niobrara, Platte, Blue and Republican rivers to turn every industrial wheel, light and heat every home and business institution and supply power to every farm-and then have power to spare

     The Loup river is said by engineers to be the most stable stream available for power purposes in the United States, and they estimate that it is easily possible to generate from 60,000 to 80,000 horsepower from that stream. The Niobrara river offers tremendous power possibilities, as does the Blue river.
     The development of hydro-electric power in Nebraska has been discouragingly slow, and for many reasons. Not one of these reasons, however, is predicated upon the cost of development, but all upon the method to be employed in the development. Despite untoward conditions a number of hydro-electric power plants have been established. The original development in Nebraska was at Kearney. The Platte river was tapped at Elm Creek, some eighteen miles west of Kearney, and the water carried by canal to a high point overlooking the city of Kearney. Here a hydro-electric plant was installed in 1889. In 1891 Kearney enjoyed the conveniences of an electric street railway, and at one time a 30-000-spindle cotton mill was operated there, electric power being used. The original canal, however, was designed primarily for irrigation purposes. The largest hydro-electric development to date is that of the Nebraska Power Co. at Boelus, where some 5,500 horsepower is developed and distributed to Grand Island, Aurora, York, St. Paul and other cities. The water is taken from the Middle Loup and wasted into the South Loup. The development cost about $1,400,000. A number of smaller developments have been made along the Blue river, the principal ones being at Milford and Beatrice. Competent engineers say that the Blue will easily provide for 500 horsepower every ten miles of its course.
     Some very ambitious projects have been inaugurated in Nebraska, but owing to conditions they have not been pushed to a successful conclusion. Several of these propositions, however, are merely dormant, and will doubtless be taken up after the war. The largest of these contemplates the development of between 40,000 and 50,000 horsepower from the Loup. There are several small developments in Northwestern Nebraska, the chief one being at Valentine, the power being from the Niobrara.