The next largest crop is of small grain -- wheat, oats, rye and barley all making satisfactory yields. Corn is a secondary crop, but the yield is continuously increased so that many more hogs are raised than formerly. Alfalfa is increasing in acreage and importance every year. This crop is used to pasture the

serving ensilage. The soil is very easily cultivated and the surface being very nearly level, farm labor is very light compared with that of eastern states.

Cattle, horses, and hogs are raised. The cattle industry is of considerable importance. The cattle grow rapidly on the nutritious feed produced and are sigularly free from all diseases.

Manufacturing and Industrial Plants Owing to the great distance from the coal fields, the county has hut little manufacturing. Harness, saddle, tinware, water tanks, ice cream and butter are manufactured in sufficient quantities to supply the adjacent territory.

Railroads Box Butte county has hut one railroad. The Burlington traverses it from southeast to

21V,

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

northwest, havinga mileageof forty-two miles, with a branch line connecting with the Platte Valley branch and Denver connections with a total mileage of fourteen miles. It maintains a division station with a division superintendent, also offices of a general superintendent having supervision over four other divisions, large roundhouse with shops for the repair of its rolling stock. About eight hundred employes in normal times are on the paytion of their children. These pioneer schools first were conducted in a small room of a private house, in a dugout, or any other shelter that was available until school houses could be erected. As the county grew, these primitive school houses gave way to modern frame school houses equipped with the best appliances for teaching, and all school books are provided for the pupils at public expense.