1905 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



553 



The kind of crops raised in the 

 North Platte valley, as in other like 

 places, is slowly but gradually chang- 

 ing. This is due to a considerable ex- 

 tent to the construction of a line of the 

 Burlington Road through the valley 

 within the past five years. There is 

 also a tendency for irrigation farmers 

 to retain rather a small acreage, and 

 devote themselves to intensive rather 

 than to extensive methods of cultiva- 



stich as alfalfa or wheat-grass hay, 

 both of which yield well under irriga- 

 tion. But irrigated land is too valua- 

 ble to use other than in intensive agri- 

 culture. 



Present estimates of crop returns 

 show that on the average twenty-eight 

 bushels of wheat are obtained to the 

 acre, with the yield going as high as 

 fifty bushels. This is a good hard 

 wheat and makes excellent flour. Oats 



A Typical Headgate on the North Platte. 

 There are nine gates, as shown by uprights. 



tion as heretofore. Many a farmer 

 who wishes to hold for himself only 

 what he can personally care for will 

 lease or rent out three-fourths of a 

 quarter section, retaining perhaps for- 

 ty acres to which he devotes his atten- 

 tion. Labor is scarce in such new dis- 

 tricts and farmers are forced to do 

 this, or allow part of their land to lie 

 idle or keep it for grazing purposes, or 

 perhaps raise crops which take little 

 attention while yielding fair returns. 



average thirty bushels to the acre and 



^5 " . 



sometimes reach ninety bushels ; this 

 is a good, full, heavy grade of oats. 

 Corn is not a good irrigation crop, or 

 rather other crops pay better; very lit- 

 tle of this cereal is raised. 



Three cuttings of alfalfa are made 

 ever) season, the first being the best 

 Tin- average yield is five tons to the 

 acre, but it may reach seven and eight 

 tons. This is a valuable Forage plant 

 and is particularly good for Crowing 



