Omaha daily bee., 1874-05-23
CENTRAL NEBRASKA.
Climate, Soil and Crops-Forest
and Fruit Trees-Bullding
Facilities-A Land Of
Workers. %.
COLUMBUS, May %, 1874.

I arrived in Omaha March I'd,
and have, since that date, been go
ing about in various parts OF Ne
braska. I am 70 pleased with most
that l have seen that I would like
to give your eastern readers the re-
suits of my observations.
The first thing is about the cli-
mate. 1t has been very even and
pleasant for travellers and farmers.
1t would take a great deal of bad
weather in Nebraska to hinder trav-
cling and farming, for the soil and
the surface generally are such al to
drain off nicely. This spring there
has been rain enough, in gentle
showers, to make blowing, sowing
and planting very easy, and no
heavy rains to make floods or bad
roads, or to hinder the plow. There
has not been a day since I came
when an ordinary team could not be
easily driven 40 to 50 miles in any
part of the country.
THE CROPS.
People say that the spring is ratt.
er backward, but all crops r look
ing well.
Wheat vas generally own from
March Goth to April 10th, and looks
very promising. I notice all over
the country that q large proportion
of the broke land is sOwn with
wheat. Nearly all the farmers in
tend to SOW corn in the new break
ing, though thousands of acres are
planted in the old.
Oats looks equally well, but no
great breadth is sOwn.
Corn is now generally planted,
and much Of it well up. On the LIST
day of May 1 saw q field of 20 acres,
SO well up that l could discern the
rows quite q distance. At this date
the rows are plain to the eye half a
mile off.
Timothy-On the 18th of May, 1
examined q patch of ten acres,
evenly and well set. I had the
curiosity to take up and measure
one bunch, and it measured 182
inches. This timothy will no doubt
grow to the height of five feet.
TREES.
I observe in all parts the rapid
growth Of forest trees, principally
cotton wood, that are planted in
groves and rows around the farms.
I have learned from good authority
that these trees, when well cared
for, grow about one inch in diamter
and about five feet in height every
year. At this rate any man can soon
have his fuel, ON five to ten acres,
right at his door.
Apple trees in nurseries and In
some young orchards, look - prom
ising as any l ever saw in any State.
In some parts I have seen fine
specimens of limestone suitable for
building purposes. 1t does not
abound In all parts, but the quarries
I have examined are extensive
enough to supply the whole State so
soon ss there shall be railroads to
carry it about.
PROGRESS,
What impresses me the most is
the rapid Improvement going on
everywhere,
There Is scarcely q township in
which new frame houses do not
glitter In the sunlight In great mum
bers, and In which the breaking
pillow Is not cutting the long black
burrows. Towns and villages, with
their dwellings, stores, machine
shops, printing offices, school houses,
and churches ore %springing into ex-
istence in all the counties.
CHARACTER OF THE INHABITANTS,
As a rule, the settlers in Nebraska
are UOrkers. All the settlements
are young swarms of bees from old
hives. The drones have stayed be-
hind to eat the honey. The work
ers have taken wing and are gather
ing sweetness from the flowers of
the great prairies. It Is astonishing
what activity prevails in this new
world,
The necessities of substance, the
hope of gain, the pride of in
dependence, the stimulus of rivalry
all unite with the bright skies,
brisk breezes and life-giving air of
Nebraska to make men and women
and children rise early, walk and
talk fast and push on their work.
Nebraska must certainly soon be q
great State.