The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-03-11
BOHEMIA, LAND OF GREAT RESOURCES
New Czecho Sovak Republic Economically Independent vii
Take Right Place Among Nations of World
For its supply of refined sugar Bot
Selected

For its supply of refined sugar Bohe-
mia looks to her beets. The annual boun-
teous yields are such that they supply the
Czechs with sugar and permit the export of
approximately five hundred thousand tons, or
about IS per cent of the total In England
the Bohemian sugar finds a ready market;
here it has been favorably known for many
years. Potatoes are a staple food of the
country and the return of the soil is such that
none are imported.
Cattle raising is another major indus
try. 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 Bohemia boasts of 81 head But
this important distinction must be borne in
mind that Denmark is an exclusively cattle
raising country, while Bohemia is both cat
tle-raising and agricultural community
Therefore this phase of the natural produc-
tiveness of Bohemia is strikingly 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 requirements of the people. Hog
raising is another important factor and those
raised annually answer the country's needs,
and the surplus, which is immense, is eager
ly absorbed by foreign consumers.
Bohemian hops have worldwide repu-
tation. They are one of the most important
ingredients 'of a popular, though at present
much banned, beverage
The climate of Bohemia is well suited
to horticulture and the wines and fruits of
its orchards, especially the plums, enjoy ex-
tensive and favorable markets. The annual
yields are plentiful. After providing for the
domestic demands the excess is disposed of
to less fortunate people, for these are entire
" dependent upon the Bohemian production.
Directing attention to the mineral de-
posits of the country we are astounded by the
lavishness of nature, for it endowed the
country with nearly every useful metal and
mineral except salt, which is entirely absent.
The tonnage yielded by the Bohemian col
lieries is of considerable Importance, for it
satisfies the coal requirements of the homes
and of the domestic industries, while the sur
plus, which is large, is absorbed in foreign
markets.
The iron ore deposits of Bohemia are
extensive and are one of the most valuable
:<o b,1f
the yearly production is smelted in local fur
naces for domestic uses, while the balance is
sold. Gold, graphite, wolframite, a source
of tungsten; silver, tin and uranium very
rare mineral, are found in limited quantities,
but even these answer the country's demands.
The famous Skoda works of Pilsen,
which heretofore converted most of the Bo-
hemian ore into field pieces for the Austro-
Hungarian and German armies, and it is
we'll to remember that these shops were oper-
ated exclusively during the present war by
German mechanics, will hereafter devote
their energies to the production of useful
machinery. The same is true of the extern
sive machine shops of Prague. Thus the fore
most domestic industry is supplied with raw
materials from its own lands, an advantage
of very considerable economic value, which,
in turn, will furnish machinery to local in
dustries.
Economists throughout the world are
focusing their attention to the subject of con-
serving the forests and for providing from
them satisfactory timber supply. The range
of the Bohemian forests equals about 80 per
cent of the country's area. This, indeed, is
considerable asset and creditable showing,
one of which the country may well be proud.
From the existing forests the supply of lum-
Der will be equal to the necessary drain for
years to come because they are under scien-
tifc management.
In the manufacturing field the Bohe
mian output maintained position second to
none. For example, Bohemian cut glassware,
in design, in quality and in execution, is uni
versally acknowledged as being without
peer. 1t never had rival or an equal; it is
in class by itself. Porcelain and pottery
works are numerous and their products are
(Oontinusd on page 8. column 81