CROPS. 



17 



Tlio follow in*,' t:il)los, taken from the Twclftli Census report, ^ive 

 the :iv:iilal>l(' statistic-^ foi' irrirjation in Nebraska : 



T.MU.K IN'. — Xtimher of acres irrigated, hy ronnlies, 1899. 



Table V. — Arreage of rropH produced on irrigated land, 1899. 



Most of tho irriiration isalon<^ the Platte River, from Dawson ('ounty 

 to the western l)ordcr of the State, and is maintained l)y ditches from 

 the rivers. A few acres are irrigated by windmills and wells (843 

 acres in 1899). 



It follows that in tlie western portion of the State, aside from the 

 comparatively insignificant irrigated areas, the principal industry is 

 stock raising. The herds are allowed to graze all summer and a con- 

 siderable portion of the winter upon the open grassy plains or range. 

 The wandering of the herds is usually limited principally b}^ access to 

 water. 



Stock raising is also an important industry in the eastern portion of 

 the State, but the amount of open range is ])ecoming much reduced. 

 On the other hand, on account of the greater rainfall and other condi- 

 tions favorable for growing forage crops, the same area will support 

 more stock than in the western portion. 



The principal field crops grown in Nebraska, arranged according to 

 their value, are corn, wheat, oats, hay and forage, potatoes, and vege- 

 tables. 



23059— No. 59—04 2 



