The cattle and live stock business while not large as in the days of the open range is still of great importance in Deuel county. The farmers are working into high grade stock, which they raise on the farms and ship to the markets. Alfalfa is a profitable crop in this part of the state ; it produces a large yield per acre, more than double that of clover and has a high feeding value. The most of the alfalfa grown in the United States is produced in western Nebraska and Kansas. On irrigated land the tonnage per acre is enormous. All vegetables are grown in the county that are common to the temperate zone but outside of sugar beets and potatoes are not largely exported.

In 1920, less acreage was planted to wheat in Deuel county and black rust did such damage that the crop was approximately two-thirds of the crop of 1919, but at that close to a million bushels were marketed and some three hundred thousand bushels were being held by the farmers in Tanuarv. 1921. Some of the

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

men holding their wheat are in financial circumstances to permit it, but others are not. The latter class feel, however, that to let loose at the present market value, will be ruinous to them. Reasoning that it is bankruptcy to sell now, they are sticking for higher prices, feeling that they cannot lose by delay.

The wealth of Deuel county must be attributed to the thrift and energy of her citizens for it has been the product of the years. Soil has yielded rich rewards to the tiller, but the process has been slow. However, farms have developed, homes been established, the railroad is in vigorous operation and prosperous years have come to the people.