The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1886-07-17
CONCERNING IDAHO.

AA0 AoAoWAuB lotUor WrlbIon Dy gen
tleman in Sherman, Texas, is giver
space in our columns. as it contains
about al the questions which a stranger
residing in the eastwould naturally ask
We answer them, to the best of oul
ability, fairly and honestly; trusting the
picture Of Idaho thus presented will
cause the gentleman and his friends to
immigrate to this country and become
permanent citizens with us.
SHERMAN, Texas, July 4, $50.
Mr.. HERTIG-Dear Sir:-I write to
you for information in regard to that
country with view of removing there
soon. In the first place would like to
know II there is any good government
land there. How is the waterP What
kind of soilp How will fruit do, such
as apples, peaches and small fruitsP
How much do good farm horses cost,
and are there farms for rentP What
gould person with about -, 900 do in
the stock businessP What is your near
est railroad pointf What are the facili-
ties for schools and churchesP Will
clover or timothy grow therep How
are the markets for grain and produceP
Will grapes do welIP Is the country
leyel or brokenP
By answering the above questions you
will confer great favor ON me. There
are several families, all Germans, who
think OF removing there if the country
suits them, so please answer fully
Yours Truly,
7. A. HERTLE.
In reply 10 Mr.. Hertle's inquiries we
will say that there are several
thousand acres of good government
land still remaining open for settlement
in Idaho. The country is not one-tenth
part developed yet. Heretofore settlers
have generally confined themselves to
taking up lands right along the water
courses, as water was easier to obtain.
But within the past year or two, they
are pushing out farther and farther into
the sage brush plains. Wherever water
is obtainable, these ladds have proven
fully as productive for many crops as
the valley lands, and for fruit is consid-
cred even superior. So soon as the sew
eral large bitches now in contemplation
are completed and this land covered
with water, Southern Idaho will take
such boom as has never been before
experienced in the history of the terri
tory. The land is here; the quality is
unsurpassed-and all that is necessary
for the full development OF the country
il water.
The water-that obtained by digging
is first-class. 1t is found all over this
part OF the country at depth of from
70 to 40 feet--some few going even
deeper. 1t is usually soft and of excel
lent quality.
Southern Idaho is prominently a
fruit country. An entire failure has
never been known. Apples, plums and
all the harder sorts are always sure.
Peaches and the tenderer kinds do not
do as well IS farther south, although in
seasons when they do hit, the world can
not snrpass them in size and quality.
All small fruits and berries are sure
every year, and grow to an enormous
size with but little cultivation. Graias
of all kinds grow well where irrigation
is possible, and of late, some very fine
specimens have been raised on the dry
uplands, without particle of irrlga-
ton. This, however, has only been in
the manner Of an experiment, and un- ]
til further tested, we would not advise
anyone to make the attempt expecting 1
great returns therefrom. Since the {
Oregon Short Line entered the country,
thereby throwing Us in direct competi- ]
lion with the great grain fields of Ne
braska, Kansas and Iowa, the farmers
have not paid as much attention to the
growing of grain for the markets as '