Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-06-26

LEWISTON, THE CENTER
Ofa 6reat Fruit Industry. Hundreds
i Of Acres under Cultivation and
Thousands of Acres vet
! Undeveloped.
The rich and fertile bars of the Snake
and Clearwater rivers, once famous for
theft gold now under irrigation, Graded
by industry, yield as rich returns in
fruit. Much has been said concerning
the fine fruit farms of the Snake and
Clearwater rivers. For quantity and
flavor the fruits of this section are lust
ly celebrated: In the deep canyons of
these rivers, protected and Sheltered
from the cold winds, lie the fertile bars
upon which the fruits are grown. The
river valley is but 700 feet above sea
level at this point, while It is $500 feet
below the level of the wheat lands
above. The soil Is of an alluvial for
tnatiOn, composed of the silt of decom-
posed basalt, forming light loamy de-
posit. The bars line these streams on
either side now spreading out in gen.
erOus proportions now narrowing down
where cliffs of basalt stand out to DEFY
both wind and weather, but as whole
presenting thousands of acres to be cul-
tivated by the industrious grower. The
light nature of the soil, together with
the gravel subsoil, creates q demand
for plenty of water. Indeed, without
plenty of irrigation the soil is practical
ly non-productive. Lewiston is the
natural center and shipping point for
the rich fruit region; within q radius of
few miles the largest and best orchards
of the valley are found. The Oldest Or
chards are found near natural springs
or on bars at the mouth of small streams.
The reason for this Is obvious since
water must be had for irrigation purpo-
ses. Now, however, since the advent
of steam appliances, pulsomoters and
the various other cOntrivances of me-
chanical nature, the bars at any point
along the valley are being utilized and
the industry Is rapidly growing in mag
nitude and importance. Within sight
of the city Of Lewiston can be seen
more than two hundred acres Of grow.
ing trees;
$1,000 an acre. The trees will mature
In from three to five years, owing to the
variety, and will produce abundantly.
The fruit excells in flavor and keeping
qualities that of any other section. The
industry Is practically in Its infancy
Within the above radius alone are q
thousand acres Of land just as produc-
tive, still lying In an uncultivated CON-
dition. Water Is plenty and easy OF
access. Machinery can be obtained
mn tod ot III Ook xv,s !,
any capacity from one gallon to one
main drawback to the rapid develop
ment of the industry has been lack Of
transportation, but happily that obsta-
Gle Is soon to be removed. Lewiston
will have two railroads this year lead
ing out into the great continental
trunk lines. The supply can never ex-
ceed the demand. Spokane Falls,
Helena, Butte and dozens Of smaller
cities and towns In Eastern Washing
toni Montana and even Dakota are to
be supplied.
The Snake river valley has no COM
petitOr for the markets of this vast area.
With the advent of better Transporter
ton has come quickening of energy
In the industry all along the river.
Large irrigating schemes are being de-
velOped. Fruit farms are in demand
and orchards In all stages Of develop
ment line the river. An association
has been formed by the growers on the
lower river. Its objects and purposes
have been thus set out by q writer to
the COlfax COmmoner:
"The Snake River Fruit Growers
Association, was organised in March
last. The object Of the OrpauizatiOn
may be stated to be the mutual Inn
proven1ent and benefit Of its members
by Interchange Of views and experience
In the business of fruit culture, the Sc
curing Of improved rates on shipping
and on supplies needed In the conduct
Of the business, and the general protec-
ton Of the industry along the river
The membership OF the association is
at present made up chiefly of growers
at, and above and below Wawawai,
and at AlmotO, on both sides of the
river. The association is differed as
follows: J! g. Davis, Garfield Co.,
president; Frank Beckwith, Ohield bar,
secretary; ID. NJ. Holt, Wawawai,
treasurer; David Kelly, Garfield Co.,
H' Stalding, Almota, and ]. b. Holt,
WawaNai, directors. ARRANGEMENTS
are completed by which the association
ships the bulk OF its fruit this season to
Heron & Carpenter, commission mer-
chants, and the Northwest commission
c3mpapy, both firms of Spokane Falls.
These houses sell on q commission Of
ten per cent. The fruit win be shipped
via Riparia, and rates OF 40 cents freight
per hundred In car lots, have been Sc
cured"
It will be seen that the fruit growing
industry In this section is only in its
infancy. The results obtained have
attracted the attention of growers every
where and the industry will make rap
i'd development under the stimulation
6f the new influences.
The following game may be killed
between the first day Of September and
and the first day Of January of each
year: Budalo, elk, deer, antelope or
n1ountain sheep. Between the 18th
day OF July and the lst Of February,
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