The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-08-02


Now there is no, only more for him to
feed on but there is not the opportunity
to multiply as in the early history Of
the state.
The choir boys Of the Episcopal church
returned last evening from their outing
Mt the Yellow Banks, where they had a
most enjoyable time. They report the
swimming good in the Elkhorn, but the
fishing does not amount to much.
Their camp was located in the timber
west of the Yellow Banks where the
dancing hall formerly stood. They had
n good many visitors during their stay
and were always glad to see their
friends from town. They took turns at
cooking meals. but report that j. b.
Maynard, who accompanied them, is ex-
ira adept at the culinary art. Since
camp is over they have no hesitancy in
disclosing their password which ap-
pears to have been Have You seen
George?' They accumulated some tan,
some freckles, some knowledge, and
a vast quantity of fun, whichwill be
pleasantly remembered for many days.
They brought home with them quite n
number Of ferns of different species.
Rev. Clark, thes Methodist pastor at
Chadron is urging protection for grouse,
quail and song birds, on account of their
benefit to the farmers in destroying bugs
aud hoppers that injure crops. He says
that he has counted between 200 and 800
grasshoppers taken from the crop Of n
single grouse killed in the early morn
ing, and that since entomologists have
found that grouse will eat from 700 to
500 hoppers daily, if covey of
grouse is protected on a farm through
winter and they in turn raise several
small tlocks year, they will be of in
calculable benefit in protecting the crop
from devastation from hopper pest. He
figures that a single grouse will eat
20. 600 hoppers month. This should be
sufficient reason why pot hunters should
give these birds a chance for, their lives
by allowing them to mature, but the fact
that the officers have been instructed by
the governor to arrest all violatOrs of the
game law will probably be n better rea
son to the average individual now gun
ming for birds.
The time Of the campers at the Yellow
Banks was not entirely given over tc
sports and idleness. They learned some
interesting facts regarding natures
most beautiful park, which were ir
themselves pleasurable as well rs in
structive. One interesting fact learned
was regarding the giant elm tree which
has stood as q sentinel there for genera
tions. Measurement revealed that tn,
trunk of the tree measures 10 feet il
circumference at the base; at n poin
about FIVE feet higher it was II feet and
seven inches in circumference. Thi
would give the diameter Of til,
trunk about six feet. The spread of tn,
lower branches the longest way is .:
feet and the short spread is So feet
This is small tree perhaps compared
with the California giants but it is re
markably large tree for Nebraska 1t
escape from the prairie fires in the earl,
days of the state is probably responsible
for its size, as it was in position whicl
afforded it shelter from their ravages
There are many interesting feature
concerning the Yellow Banks whicl
pupils of the school might learn by put
ting their knowledge into practical use
The writer once knew the height of tn
Yellow Banks proper where it has beel
cut through by the river, it having beel
measured through the aid of their stud
les by the pupils of the Tilden schools
All such facts are of interest to the gen
eral public and it is an interesting pre-
cess to attain the results.