The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-07-24
S0.CALLED ARID Hs
RECl0N0F NEBRASKA
Crop Conditions As Good As in Iowa.
Wheat is Generality Harvested
Throughout State.
GOOD CROPS IN BOX BUTTE
Lands in the Pine Ridge and Rosebud
Reservations Comprise Some
Of the Best in State.

To those who have been deluded
with the thought that Nebraska is a
part OF the Great American Desert, a
visit to that state will dispel such an
idea. The writer on yesterday re-
turned with his family and friends
from an auto trip of several days du-
ration through what for many years,
and until lately, was termed the arid
region, west of the Missouri river, and
found as good crops as can be found
in Iowa or any other state in the
union. Wheat is generally harvested
and in many localities threshing is now
going on. The yield is exceptional,
going from 20 to 40 bushels to the acre
and is of the finest quality.
The South Platte valley, which a
few years ago was covered with sage
brush, is now productive land with
fine farm buildings and section line
roads in good condition for travel. No
more beautiful sight can be presented
than the golden grain standing in
shock all the way from Omaha to the
western part of the state.
Our objective point was Alliance,
county seat of Box Butte county, Neb.,
and it is no exaggeration to say that
western Nebraska is doing itself
proud this year in the way of crops. In
many localities the price of land is
soaring and sales are being made of
wild land at thirty to forty dollars per
acre and with good Improvements,
land is selling at fifty and sixty dol
lars per acre. 1t is true that in some
localities in the western part of the
state there has been a dearth in the
rainfall and crops are not as good as
in the localities where the rainfall has
been greater, but generally speaking
the conditions are entirely satisfac-
tory. In many parts of the state the
corn crop is further advanced than
here, doubtless on account of the light
ness of the soil and if an early frost
is not had bumper crop may be ex-
pected.
Our line of travel took US out along
the Union Pacific, the Transcontinent-
al route being the one followed and
from Omaha to Sidney the road was
in almost perfect condition. At Lodge
Pole, a few miles east of Sidney, we
left the Union Pacific and started
north across the country to Alliance,
and passed through a rich and we'll
improved section of the state until
we reached the sand hills between
Bridgeport and Alliance. We crossed
this section, embracing the sand hills,
with difficulty, on account OF there be-
ing no route we'll enough improved to
avoid the sand, but after few hours
We reached the level plains of Box
Butte county, where the land is gener'
ally a rich black loan, and very pro-
ductive with sufficient moisture. The
farmers of that county flatter them
selves that this is banner year for
northwestern Nebraska Alliance is
a division on the Burlington road and
is a city of 5000 inhabitants with
bright prospects for the future.
On the return trip to Iowa we went
north from Alliance some fifty miles
to Hay Springs, Neb., where We struck
the Northwestern rail road, and east
to the town of Rushville, at which
place we abandoned the railroad route
on account of sand reported along the
line. We went north from Rushville
in, the neighborhood of thirty miles
into South Dakota and into the Pine
Ridge reservation, stopping first at
Pine Ridge agency for a permit to
cross the reservation and to make in
quiries concerning the route to be
taken. We secured written pass to
make the trip, but little information
was secured as to the roads to follow.
We doubt if there is another section
in the country so difficult to give or
follow directions as across the reser'
walton. There are a multiplicity OF
roads branching in all directions and
with no signs or markers one is liable
to take the wrong road and get into
v1urRr GoIN' eo!kS 3!