The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-02-07
IDAHO SOIL
Adapted to tho Growth Of
Cereals and Vegetables.
Another Chapter on This
Favored Region.

agricultural lana besides tho vast
area classified as mountains, for
ests, grazing lands aud lakes. Her
soil has been divided into four
classes as follows: Valley soil,
which cannot be excelled in any
other part of the Union. It con-
tains the aggregated and condensed
richness Of the vast amount of
vegetable growth that has been
accumulating for ages on the noun
tain sides above the valleys. An
analysis of the soil shows it to be
very rich in mineral and vegetable
matter, and is most suitable for
all cereals, vegetables, fruits, etc.,
usually grown in Idaho. The soil is
of good depth, and is invariably
found above gravel, and is soinclined
as to make drainage the most perfect
for cultivation and health. Plain
and plateau soil, or in other words,
rich sage brush lands have all the
elements for the most wonderful
growths of all cereals, vegetables,
fruits, grasses, etc., and contains a
great amount of fine vegetable
mold. This pulverized soil is of
great depth, from two to twenty
feet, and is of the character of allu-
vial deposit, a mixture of lime,
granite, sand, iron and mica, max
ing rich dark loamy soil. Three
fot--.ls of the arabic lands of Idaho
are included in this class. This
soil can easily be broken with one
span of horses. The ground is
easily pulverized. Idaho is the
farmers paradise, when compared
with Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and
many other states. Mountain soil
is exceedingly rich, especially in
the wooded. sections where it is
black, deep and full of vegetable
mold. All narrow valleysand parks
in the mountains possess this soil.
Alkali soil is Of limited extent.
producing salt grass, which cattle
eat readily, particularly the young
growth. The cause of alkaline soil
is now understood. The rain in the
wet season penetrates deeply into
the earth, where it gradually takes
up such soluble salt as it encounters
there, and as it accumula ted
beneath, has gradually rieen by
percolation through the interstices
of the unconsolidated materials of
the soil, bringing with it whatever
soluble salts it may have taken
into solution during its sojourn
beneath the surface. '"There is no
difficulty however, says Capt. G.
E. Dutton, of the U. s, Geological
Survey, Gin removing any quantity
Of these readily soluble salts from
the soil, provided the teaching pro.
cos" be continued long enough"
Irrigation also enriches tho land
whenever it is used. During the
irrigating season the streams are
generally high and turbid, carrying
large quantities Of vegetable mold
which spread very evenly BY this
process, and 10 the Same % top
dressing repeated annually. There
are millions of acres in the valleys
and uplands Of Idaho, lying ct an
elevation Of less than 5000 feet,
which can be irrigated and made
lavishly productive. Having
described the soils Of Idaho, aud
also facts in relation to it's climate,
tho reader will not require .
stronger argument TO be satisfied
that all the cereals and vegetables
which can be raised north of tho
cotton-growing line, in the Atlantic
States, flourish in tho greatest per.
faotinn hara and attain a,,ch amor.