The Ordway new era., 1919-03-07


Czecho- -Slovaks control within their
territory this vital line of communica-
ton between Germany and the Bal
kan peninsula.
1t is an elementary axiom of econom-
les that the prime factor necessary
to the successful existence of coun-
try is Its capacity to produce suih-
cheney from the soil to properly sus-
tain its people. Bohemia fulfills this
prerequisite nay. 1t does more, it
reaps such bumper crops that her
neighbors are dependent on her to
supplement their meager and insuffi-
cient harvests-
More than 90 per cent of the total
area of the country is devoted to ag-
ricultural pursuits. The well-kept
meadows and the lntensively cultivat-
ed fields, particularly those known as
the Garden of Bohemia, remind one In
beauty and productiveness, of the Mo
hawk valley of the empire state. The
yield of grains Is so abundant that II
meets the domestic requirements and
allows for large quantities to be ex-
ported. AS matter of fact, the 9TH
er countries of the former Austro-
Hungarian empire invariably depend
ed upon the Bohemian surplus cereals
to supplement their scanty crops,
which at all times are far short of sat
isfying the peoples needs.
For Its supply of refined sugar Bo-
hemia looks to her beets. The annual
bounteous yields are such that they
supply the Czechs with sugar and per-
init the export of approximately five
hundred thousand tons, or about 10
per cent of the total. In England the
Bohemian sugar finds n ready market !;
here 1t has been favorably known for
many years. Potatoes are staple
food of the country and the return OF
the soil Is such that none are imported.
Cattle raising is another major In
dustry. The model country In this
field. in Europe. is Denmark. therefore
comparison is permissible. Denmark
maintains about seventy-three head of
cattle to the square mile. while Bo-
hemin boasts of 81 head. But this I'm
portant distinction must be borne In
mind that Denmark is an exclusively
cattle-paising country, while Bohemia
is both.a cattle-raising and agricul-
tural community. Therefore this phase
of the natural productiveness of Bo-
hemia Is strilSlngly Illustrated.
In the poorer lands, those unsuitable
for tillage. the rearing of sheep is a
thriving industry. The supply of wool
is but slightly less than the require
ments of the people. Hog raising is
another important factor and those
raised annually answer the country's
needs, and the surplus, which is i'm
mense. is eagerly absorbed by foreign
consumers.
| Bohemian hops have worldwide
reputation. They are one Of the most
Important ingredients of popular,
though at present much banned, bev-
erage-beer.
The climate of Bohemia is well suit
ed to horticulture and the wines and
| fruits of its orchards, especially the
plums, enjoy extensive and favorable
markets. The annual yields are plen-
tiful. After providing for the domes-
tic demands the excess Is disposed of
to less fortunate people. for these are
entirely dependent upon the Bohemian
production.
Mineral Deposits Varied.
Directing attention to the mineral
deposits of the country we are as
founded by the lavishness of nature.
for 1t endowed the country with near
ly every useful metal and mineral ex-
cept salt, which is entirely absent. The
tonnage yielded by the Bohemian col
lieries Is of considerable Importance,
for 1t satisfies the coal requirements
of the homes and of the domestic In
dustries. while the surplus, which is
large, is absorbed in foreign markets.
The Iron ore deposits of Bohemia
are extensive and are one of the most
valuable of its natural resources.
About one-half of the yearly produc-