Education Commons^™

Rb34-71 Effects Of Inflation And Deflation Upon Nebraska Agriculture, 1914 To 1932, H. Clyde Filley

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraska farmers prospered during the period which followed the depression of the nineties and preceded the beginning of the World War. To be sure the prosperity was not uniformly distributed either by years or by areas. The corn crop was unusually short in a large portion of the state in 1901 and an almost total failure in many of the southern counties in 1913. Chinch bugs did considerable injury in 1901 and the Hessian fly in 1905 and 1914. There was noticeable damage from insects in some areas in other years. No part of the state, however, suffered from long-continued …

Rb34-6 The Relation Of Drouth To Water-Use In Nebraska, G.E. Condra

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Three severe drouths have occurred in Nebraska and adjacent states within the past eighty years, and less severe ones have come at moderately regular intervals. Their influence on the agricultural development of the state is well known, but their relation to water supply in general is not so well understood.

This research bulletin is a brief review of the relation of drouth to soil moisture, surface water, and groundwater supplies.

Ec34-48 Farm Sheep Facts, M.A. Alexander, W.W. Derrick

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The farm flock and the fattening of western feeder lambs are the only methods of sheep production of importance in Nebraska. The farm flock is not a major enterprise on Nebraska farms. It serves as a side line on farms having a well-drained place which sheep may call their own.

This 1934 extension circular contains information on: Nebraska Sheep-industry facts; market, ewe, ram, and lamb facts; shearing and wool facts; two parasites and one pest; grading and marketing wool; and scouring and carding wool for home use.

Ec33-136 Corn In Nebraska, P.H. Stewart, D.L. Gross, T.A. Kiesselbach

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Corn is Nebraska's most important crop. Of the nearly 19 million acres under cultivation in the state, over 10 million acres or more than 50 percent is normally planted to corn. This is three times the acreage of wheat, four times that of oats, and ten times that of barley. The 10-year average acre yield of corn for this state is 25.8 bushels compared with 26.9 bushels for the entire United States. Nebraska, with an average annual crop of approximately 258 million bushels, usually ranks third among all states in the total production of corn, being exceeded by Iowa and …

Rb32-270 A Seven Year Study Of A Milk Supply, P.A. Downs

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The amount of butter produced by the grain-belt states is evidence that a great many cows are milked by the midwestern farmer. Most of this milk is separated on the farm, the cream is sold, and the skimmilk is fed to hogs and other livestock. As the market for fluid milk has developed, many farmers near the cities have turned to the sale of milk, because it affords a better return for the butterfat sold. Much of the milk produced for sale as fluid milk is produced under practically the same conditions as milk which is produced primarily for the …

Ec32-44 Why Some Hens Lay More Eggs Than Others, H.E. Alder

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The 1929 report of the Storrs Egg Laying Contest, which has been conducted at Storrs, Connecticut, twenty-one years, shows that the best pen of ten hens entered laid 2,802 eggs, and the poorest pen laid 829 eggs. In the best pen the average egg production per hen was 280.2 eggs as compared with 82.9 eggs per bird in the poorest pen. Why did the one pen lay so many eggs, and the other so few? This prompts us to try to find out what factors are responsible for the number of eggs a hen lays in the course of 365 …

Rb32-266 Cooling Milk On Nebraska Farms, P.A. Downs, E.B. Lewis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The desire of Nebraska people to continue the improvement of living conditions and to secure more healthful foods has been responsible for many changes in methods of caring for milk. One of the important factors in keeping milk sweet and of good quality is the process of cooling and keeping it cool until used. Three of these processes are as follows: placing containers of warm milk in any quantity of still water or still air at temperatures ranging from freezing to within a few degrees of the temperature of the milk, placing the containers in such positions that air or …

Ec32-713 The Trench Silo In Nebraska, Ivan D. Wood, E.B. Lewis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The original idea of using a trench for the storing of ensilage seems to have been the outgrowth of the practice long used in several European countries of storing clover and beet tops in pits. Shortly after the World War, western Canada followed by Montana and North Dakota began to use the trench silo. In Nebraska the true trench silo made its appearance about 1925 or 1926.

The trench silo as described in this circular, unless lined with some permanent material such as brick, concrete or stone, must be considered a temporary structure which will serve for a few years …

Rb31-253 Variety Tests Of Oats, Barley, And Spring Wheat, T.A. Kiesselbach, W.E. Lyness

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The use of superior varieties is of first importance in the production of spring small grains. The comparative merits of the different crops and their available varieties may be best determined through tests extending over a period of years. Tests of oats, barley, and spring wheat have been made on the Experiment Station Farm of the Nebraska College of Agriculture at Lincoln.

The plan has been to have these variety trials include the most promising sorts obtainable from Nebraska and other states. Most of the varieties grown have originated in the breeding experiments of various state and federal experiment stations. …

Ec31-133 The Management Of Nebraska Soils (Revised March 1936), P.H. Stewart, D.L. Gross

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The agricultural lands of this country are its greatest natural resource. History points out that nations with vast areas of good farm land are most likely to prosper and survive over long periods of time. Local communities, too, prosper and flourish in proportion to the productiveness of the surrounding land. Schools, social life, and business develop best in areas where the land is productive and properly managed and conserved.

Nebraska, in common with other states, has suffered by the depletion of soil fertility. The reduction in acres in legumes and grasses, and the deplation of the organic matter in the …

Rb31-258 The Contribution Fo Nebraska Farm Women To Family Income Through Poultry And Dairy Products, M. Ruth Clark

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This investigation was made in 1929-1930 for the purpose of studying the activities of Nebraska farm women in the raising of poultry and in the care of dairy products, to discover whether or not such activities resulted in a contribution to the family income. With this in view, a group of women were asked to keep records for one year (from April 1, 1929 to March 31, 1930) of the value and amount of dairy and poultry products sold or used, of all expense incurred in production, and of the time spent both by the homemaker herself and by all …

Rb30-250 Raising Early Lambs From Aged Western Ewes, A.D. Weber

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Many farm flocks in Nebraska are comprised of aged western ewes. They are easily obtained because of the state's geographical position with reference to the sheep-producing sections of the West and the leading feeder lamb markets. Nebraska ranks second in number of western lambs fed. This also tends to acquaint farmers with range sheep.

This 1930 research bulletin discusses factors in early lamb production; objects of the experiment, experimental procedure, and experimental data of raising early lambs from aged western ewes.

Rb30-245 Water Supply And Sewage Disposal Systems For Farm Homes, Ivan D. Wood, E.B. Lewis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

When the well "goes dry" or when the windmill or pump breaks down, every one in the household immediately appreciates the value fo plenty of water. In other words, "You never miss the water until the well runs dry." Fortunately, in most sections of this state, plenty of pure water may be obtained by sinking wells of moderate depth, yet surprisingly few farm homes are supplied with running water in the kitchen even though the barn yards are equipped with hydrants and tanks.

It is the purpose of this bulletin to present a number of water supply and sewage disposal …

Rb30-246 Testing Ice Cream For Butterfat, L.K. Crowe

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Butterfat is usually the most expensive ingredient of ice cream; hence, great care is necessary in controllng its use. The manufacturer of ice cream, whether doing a large or a small volume of business, must manufacture a product that will comply with the established fat standard. Some means of determining the percentage of butterfat in the product must be available in order to establish this control.

This 1930 research bulletin discusses the different testing equipment used to test butterfat in ice cream.

Ec30-39 Swine Sanitation, L. Van Es

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

From the very beginning of Nebraska's agricultural development its farmers have recognized that the production of swine must of necessity accompany the growing of corn. The latter, one of the state's most important staples, cannot be marketed in a more economical manner than after having been transformed into pork, bacon, and lard.

As a result the state has for many years maintained a rather dense swine population mainly divided into large herds kept on relatively small areas of land. This density of population, as well as certain practices in management and selective breeding, has brought about conditions favorable for the …

Rb30-252 Sex And Age As Factors In Cattle Feeding, H.J. Gramlich, R.R. Thalman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Varying economic conditions and changes in the demands of the meat consuming public have been responsible for the turns that have taken place in the beef industry during recent years. Both feeder and producer must recognize and conform to these changes if they are to continue in business. Among the most important of these changes have been the turn toward the marketing of lighter cattle and the gradual disappearance from feed lots of two- and three-year-old animals. Furthermore, the cattle population of the United States is fast reaching stabilization with the resulting effect that more heifers are being marketed, since …

Rb30-244 Types Of Farming In Nebraska, Harold Hedges, F.E. Elliott

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

"Type of farming" as used in this bulletin is a term descriptive of a group of farms similar in size and enterprise combination. Thus a group of farms having the same kind, quantity, and proportion of crops oand livestock may be said to be following the same type of farming. The term "type-of-farming area" refers to an area within which there is a high degree of uniformity in the type of farming practicse and in the physical and economic conditions under which production takes place. This should not be understood to mean that there is absolute uniformity either in farming …

Ec28-234 Nebraska System For Tattooing Hogs For Identification After Slaughter, G.R. Boomer, O.O. Waggener

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A plan to identify the individual farm upon which hogs reaching markets are produced has been developed in connection with the efforts toward eradicating tuberculosis among farm animals. While primarily intended as a means of tracing back to determine sources of disease infection, the system of tattooing which is being developed has other significant possibilities. With the growing emphasis on quality products in the market, it is only fair that the producers of high quality commodities receive the premiums paid by processors and consumers. Health of farm animals is a quality factor. The producer of healthy hogs should be rewarded. …

Ec28-36 Spraying Tree Fruits (Revised March 1932), C.C. Wiggans, E.H. Hoppert

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The production of sound, clean fruit is unquestionably one of the major problems facing the modern fruit grower. Culture may be neglected and pruning delayed for a time but the omission of sprays for even a single season demonstrates their absolute necessity. This applies equally to the commercial grower and to the farmer or gardener who has only a few trees.

Spray materials, equipment, management, schedules, insect pests and orchard diseases are discussed in this 1928 extension circular.

Rb28-229 Fattening Steers Of Various Ages, H.J. Gramlich

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

During recent years the beef industry has undergone vast changes. These have been made necessary in part by economic conditions and in part by changes in the demands of the American people. The tendency has been toward earlier marketing of steers, so that instead of going to the block as mature individuals at from 3 to 5 years of age, they are now reaching the market at a much younger age. In consuming centers where only heavy carcasses of beef were demanded formerly there is a call today for carcasses of the yearling and long yearling class.

The experiments reported …

Ec26-129 Profitable Wheawt Production, P.H. Stewart, D.L. Gross

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

More profitable wheat production, rather than greater total production in Nebraska, is the object of this circular. The grower who has the largest acreage of wheat does not necessarily make the greatest profit. High yields per acre usually means a lower cost and a great profit per bushel. Wheat of high quality brings additional profits. High yield and quality are usually the combined result of good seed, disease prevention, crop rotations, a well-prepared seed bed, the proper time of seeding, and reasonable care in harvesting, threshing and storing.

Ec25-228 Farm Slaughter Of Hogs, Wm. J. Loeffel

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Slaughtering hogs and curing the meat on the farm is a common practice which makes available a palatable and nutritious food. It utilizes labor at a season of the year when usually there is no great rush of work.

As a general rule, farm slaughter is not to be recommended until cold weather is a certainty, for warm weather is apt to cause heavy spoilage. Meat is a highly perishable food product, therefore absolute cleanliness should prevail in its handling. Contamination of meat by soiled hands, clothing, tools, or containers is not only insanitary but actually lowers the keeping quality …

Rb25-207 The Spindle-Tuber Disease: One Cause Of "Run-Out" Seed Potatoes, H.O. Werner

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The spindle-tuber disease is one of the most prevalent potato diseases occurring in all parts of Nebraska. It has been found in all varieties tested. It does much damage to the potato crop, in that it reduces the yield and injures the market quality of the potatoes.

This 1925 publication discusses the spindler-tuber disease also known as "running-out" or degeneracy of seed potatoes; the distribution of the disease; effect upon yield and quality; symptoms of the different potato varieties; transmission of the disease and experiments; rate of increase of the disease; dry land versus irrigation in western Nebraska; straw mulching …

Ec24-721 Dairy Barns For Nebraska, Oscar W. Sjogren, Ivan D. Wood

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The increasing interest shown among the farmers thruout this state in the betterment of dairy stock, and the tendency to give more attention to dairying on the farms, is bringing to the Agricultural College a great many requests for plans and suggestions for dairy barn construction. It is impossible to give every one of these inquiries individual attention to the extent of drawing a detailed plan to suit the conditions in each case. It is hoped therefore, that the material contained in this bulletin will offer helpful suggestions and answer many questions in the minds of prospective dairy men and …

Ec23-122 Sweet Clover In Nebraska, P.H. Stewart, D.L. Gross

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Sweet clover is adapted to practically all parts of Nebraska. It will grow under a wide range of soil and climatic conditions and is found growing wild in almost all sections of the state. It grows luxuriantly in eastern Nebraska and also does well in the western part of the state. Sweet clover will grow in regions of less rainfall than will red clover and, under certain conditions, it will do well where alfalfa is not easily grown.

This 1923 circular is largely based on questionnaire replies received from more than 200 farmers growing sweet clover in all parts of …

Ec23-120 Wheat In Nebraska, W.W. Burr, P.H. Stewart

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Wheat is one of the most important crops of the world. In total world tonnage it ranks third, being surpassed only by corn and potatoes. In th United States the tonnage is second only to corn, but wheat is far more important than corn as a human food.

Wheat is more important as a human food than any other rain crop. It is in itself almost a balanced food, and from earliest times has played an important part in the development of civilization. With the development of modern machinery wheat can now be produced without almost no hand work. On …

Pb1908-27 Loss From Cornstalk Disease In Custer County, Nebraska, During The Winter Of 1906-1907 (Distributed January 1908, Reprinted December 1930), F.J. Alway, A.T. Peters

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

"Cornstalk disease" is the name given to the cause or causes of death of cattle allowed to run in fields of standing cornstalks from which the ears have been gathered. It is probable that "many different maladies have been included under this name." In Nebraska, however, there is such a similarity in the symptoms reported by the farmers that it seems probable that the great majority of the losses attributed to cornstalk disease are really due to some common cause. As to the exact nature of this cause nothing is known. However, various theories have been advanced, and methods of …