CHOICE OF A REGION 



499 



Figure 1 10 shows the rainfall at North Platte, Nebraska, 

 for 36 years. The years from 1887 to 1892 were years of 

 fairly good crops. Settlers located in the region and paid 

 good prices for land. For nine years, from 1893-1901, the 

 rainfall was below normal every year, and crops usually 

 failed. Many of the settlers lost all their property. 

 From 1902 to 1909 were wet years. Crops were good and 



INCHES 



__ 



FIG. 111. Rainfall at Dodge City, Kansas, for 45 years, from records 

 of the United States Weather Bureau. 



land rose in price much higher than conditions warranted. 

 In 1910 to 1912, crops were either partial or total failures, 

 so that farmers who did not have considerable money were 

 in bad straits. Nearly every one who bought land in this 

 region from about 1905 to 1909 paid much more than it 



