"The large volume of water in the river, the wide bottom lands, and the long, gentle slopes of the table lands afforded ideal conditions for irrigation. From the building of the first irrigation ditch in about 1887, to the completion of the Tri-State Ditch in 1911, and the Government Ditch a little later, the country has developed, step by step, until there are now some 275,000 acres of land under irrigation in the North Platte valley. This has been brought into a high state of cultivation, until it is fast becoming one of the richest sections in the world."

Soil and its Production < >ne in any walk of life finds it difficult to

write upon the subject dearest to his heart, without an unconscious boost for his particular business. The editor-in-chief has before him an excellent article prepared by A. T. Seybolt of Bridgeport, upon the subject of Morrill county soil and its production. While "get your dollars into Morrill county land" is excellent advice, that is not historical. History relates to things already done, and not to things anticipated.

The Soil Builder

When the Architect of All laid down the strata of soil that is the foundation of Morrill county's agricultural accomplishments and prospects, He laid the foundation for a marvellous history of productivity ; and when the "Gering river" ran westward into the inland sea, enduring monuments were made. This swiftly moving river at Chimney Rock was evidently at least one hundred forty feet deep, and the coarser sand that settled down and were cemented into the firmer rocks form that much of the spire of that wonderful landmark of the ages. Court House Rock and Round House Rock are two other distinctive monuments of that ancient river, while the mighty facades of the Wildcat range west of Court House Reck, and the bluffs south of Broadwater are likewise sediments of that river which was the long ago antecedent of the great North Platte.