16 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1919. 



eastern markets as feeders. Many of the cattle are run on the 

 range throughout the year, hay being fed during severe weather. 

 Only a few hogs are raised, chiefly in an experimental way. The 

 high altitude, healthful climate, and isolation from cholera and 

 other malignant diseases gives fair promise for the development of 

 the hog-raising industry. The animals are generally fattened on 

 com, but alfalfa is often added to the ration. 



A few sheep are annually shipped in for summer grazing, and some 

 ranchers carry the stock through the winter. The diligent herding 

 and care required in this industry have tended to make it unpopular. 



A small flock of poultry is raised on nearly every farm, but few 

 farmers have a surplus of poultry products for sale. The Nebraska 

 State Board of Agriculture report shows that there were 1,083 dozen 

 poultry of all grades in Banner County in 1918. 



Little or no attention is given to dairying in this county, although 

 a few farmers have a surplus of dairy products, which is sold outside 

 the area. 



Topographic and soil conditions have influenced the extent and 

 distribution of the farmed areas more closely than they have affected 

 the distribution of the various crops. The rough topography and the 

 tendency toward excessive drainage in certain parts of the county 

 have hindered the development of farming on some soils. In general, 

 the heavier and deeper soils are recognized as most drought resistant 

 and best adapted to the production of small grains. They include 

 the very fine sandy loams, silt loams, and loams of the table-land in 

 the southern part of the county. The areas of Rough broken land, 

 the sand dunes, and the large areas where the underlying rock lies 

 close to the surface are best adapted to grazing. The poorly drained 

 flood plain soils along Pumpkin Creek are used exclusively for the 

 production of hay and for pasture, and the better drained areas of 

 the first bottoms are well adapted to alfalfa. Corn is grown in all 

 parts of the county, but seems to do best on the lighter textured 

 soils of the table-land. 



The agricultural methods followed by the best farmers are based 

 on experience. They understand that the essential features of dry 

 farming are thorough preparation of the land and the conservation 

 of soil moisture. The sandy lands are not cultivated so intensively 

 to form a mulch as the heavier soils. The surface of the light-tex- 

 tured soils is kept as rough as possible in order to prevent drifting. 

 Moisture conditions are the chief factor controlling cropping and 

 rotations; fertilization and tillage methods are of secondaiy im- 

 portance. 



As a rule, the farm buildings are moderately good and the machin- 

 ery and equipment on nearly every farm is adequate for all needs. 

 Horse-drawn gang plows and cultivators are common, and there are 



