4 Russell R. Spafford 
Dakota, Thurston, Richardson, Johnson, Box Butte, Phelps, 
Dawes, and Kimball counties. The adaptation of farm business 
to natural conditions in these different areas is striking. A con- 
trast of eastern and western farming will illustrate some of the 
adjustments necessary to meet a marked decrease in the effective 
Fic. 3. Temperature the limiting factor in the north. 
value of natural factors. Observation and measurements con- 
firm the fact, that of all the elements entering into natural factors, 
moisture and texture of soil are the most important in this state. 
The sparse plant growth on our western uplands compared with 
the more dense plant growth on adjacent valley or irrigated lands, 
affords ample proof of the low effective value of moisture in 
western Nebraska. From a mere observation of these facts, how- 
ever, it does not follow that well-organized upland farms in 
western Nebraska are unprofitable. Such facts simply indicate 
that a very large area is needed to produce plant food sufficient 
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