Nebraska advertiser., 1869-06-03

1oam does not extend to the same
depth as in that State, and contains
a larger proportion Of silica. After
1 digging few feet, earth Of q bright
yellow cast is reached.
The native grass affords 10 the caus-
ual observer no special indication OF
| fertility. 1t is by no means Of rank,
growth not being more than 3 or 10 in
ches high, sparsely set, and in limit
ed quantity. Few weeds or shrubs are
seen. The grass in low lands how
ever. attains a vigorous size and often
| reaches as high as q mans head, from
which the settler obtains his hay for
winter use.
The wild grass, although apparent
| ly dry and harsh. is quite INJURIOUS,
and cattle thrive on IL most marvel-
lously. This section was IN former
times the fRvoFite resort for wild cattle,
whose instinct led them to the best
pastures.
In generalappearance there is Moth
ing about Nebraska to crafty emigra-
tion except where cultivation and art
have beautified the landscape. When
Lewis and Clark looked upon the To-
cality in the unbroken solitude Of na-
ture, I do not wonder that they term
ed it the HGreat American Desert 4"
hut time and the pressure Of emigra-
tion westward have demonstrated
the grossness of the misnomer.
The climate and soil are favorable
to the production of every variety Of
grain and grass Wheat and corn
/ flourish to an extent not surpassed
in any of States of the great West.
1t is not uncommon for. the farmer
to raise 80 bushels of the former and
75 of the latter per acre. Oats and
barley yield in the same proportion.
All kinds of vegetables, potatoes,
beets, carrots, cabbage, onions, &c,
attain great perfection.
Attempts at raising tobacco and
sorghum have been attended With
success.
There are considerable numbers of
wild grape vines and plum trees in the
timber along the Water-cOurses, but
the adapta5ility of this soil and cli-
mate to general fruit culture has not
yet been fully tested. Fruit trees
have been planted in considerable
numbers, but have not yet been sufh-
ciently matured to demonstrate their
bearing capacity. The apples, pears,
grapes and plums, thus far produced,
are of the first quality. Berries of va
Fious kinds develop readily and fully !;
and I believe that care and experience
viii produce the same results with
the larger fruits.
For stock raising NebrasHa has am
pie resources. The vacant lands Of
the State and of the railroads give the
herdsman a wide range. A herd law,
which renders fsnces unnecessary
and acts as protection to the grain
grower, is an actual benefit to the
stock raiser. Much attention has been
devoted to this department OF agficul-
ture in various sections. This State
was q natural home of wild horses
and cattles and the Indian ponies,
in proportion 10 their bulk, are as
hardy a race Of animals as can be
found anywhere. The air is clear
and healthful, the climate temperate,
the surface of the ground irregular,
the grasses nutritious and abundant,
together with an exhaustless supply
of all other varities of food. Thus far
stock raising has met with good sue
cess and Nebraska is producing
many. fine horses and mules, and has
some excellent specimens of the best
breeds of horned cattle and sheep, the
high ground and the dry and salubri--
Gus atmosphere being particularly fa-
vorable to the latter.
A large amount of the land Of Ne
braska is withheld for settlement by
railroad grants and spectators. The
homestead or pre-emption settler is
the only party who can now receive
the advantage of the governments
liberaIity. The fact that there is a
constant stream of this class Of immi-
grants pouring into the State is sure
indication of q sentiment prevailing
in the older States in accordance with
the views herein expressed; and ] be-
lieve they cannot seek a location
where practical sense and vigOrour in-s
dustrY viii meet more ample return.
They must not expect to find q land
flowing with milk and honey, or i'm
agine that ease and repose await them.
They will not find all the comforts
and neeessaries of life ready prepared.
Their paradise will only come from
the sweat Of the brow. The pioneers
hope rests on a willing heart and. a
ready hand. Luxuries he must not
expect; comforts he win only find by
cheerful contentment with his lot.
If he is destitute of money and has
but one poor yoke of oxen, and frail
covering for his wagon to protect his
wife and children, from the cold night
winds, he need not despair. With
the example in his mind Of others
who have preceded him, he may well
feel that he has at his command re-
sources which will not fail him.
Necessity is the mother of inven-
ton, and the Nebraska settler, In de-
fault of trees to build a Lighthouse,
does not appeal in vain to mother
earth for shelter. He can select the
favorable side Of ridge and prepare q
"dug out" This architectural ano-
maly is worthy of a description, and
some idea Of its mode of construction
may be valuable to those who contem-
plate trying a pioneer life. The settler
cuts into the bank an opening Of the
size required, digging two or three
feet below the level of the surface in
front. The plastic nature of the soil
allows him 20 dress the sides and the
floor as smoothly as if the cavity had
been cut from bed of solid marble by
the chisel of skilled workman. He
then proceeds to the nearest bottom,
and cuts couple of forked saplings,
of which to make his door posts.
Having placed horizontally on the
prOngs another sapling, he pins to the
middle of it another prong to support
the ridge-poll. Hethen has the front
part of his roof; the rear being in the
bank is easily managed. He then
places on top such twigs and branches
as he can find, and perhaps a board OF
two, and overlays cOnlpactly with
sods and prairie grass. he then has
a roof that viii shed water, perhaps
not as effectually as boards and shin
giles, but which for want OF them
must be made To serve the purpose.
As a finishing strofey sllthe openings
in the sides, except d door and win-
dow, are compactly filed in with lay
ers of sod. Fireplaces and chimneys
are constructed ia thesRme .primaGive
style, but D comnon substitute for
them is a small cooking stove, with