Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-09
Lewiston to the Prairie
SURVEY OF THE OUTLYING COUN
TRY.-IT'S LOCATION, ETC.
Superior Farm Lands.
Desirable Localities Where are Found
Thick Settlements and Thrifty
Prosperous Communities.

Back from the low river valleys the
country rises in broad terraces of low
lying prairies to Craig's mountain on
the east and south. On the first of
these the rainfall is scant and irrigation
is necessary to attain the highest sue
cess of culture. The average crop, even
in this region, is equal to any grown in
the middle or eastern states. Just on
these first levels is where the system of
irrigating with artesian wells will con-
vert hundreds of acres into fine or
chards. The altitude, the soil and con-
ditiOns are such as to make this the
best possible locality for the growth
and culture of the harder fruits.
Occasionally a creek or small stream
will be seen, along whose valley will be
found some of the finest farms and or
chards. Tammany Hollow, some six
miles to the south of Lewiston, is one
of these. 1t is lined it's entire length
and breadth by thick settlements. The
farms are well cultivated, the orchards
and gardens magnificent, and the peo-
pie thrifty and contented. The coun-
try rises gradually to Lake \Vaha,
where arain is fine undulating prai-
RE region on which the finest crops of
cereals are raised. Lake Waha is a
gem of a mountain lake, surrounded
by low hills covered by pine, fir and
tamarack. This region is also famous
summer resort. From Waha the coun-
try rises by easy grade, traversing Il
country known as
CRAIG MOUNTAIN.
This is in the southwestern portion
of Nez Perez county and extends to
the Idaho county line. 1t is a high
and rolling table land, having an aver
age elevation of $500 feet above sea
level When compared with the fer
tile valleys this region did not at first
attract settlement, but it is only within
the last three years that scarcity gov
eminent land has compelled settlers to
try Craig mountain, and the results
have been most gratifying. 1t is
peculiarly healthful locality and the
ground has been found very productive.
The soil is very heavy black loan
varying from three to six feet in depth,
and underaid with clay subsoil that
retains all the moisture. Irrigation is
unnecessary and Il fail of crop has never
been known All the cereals and
grasses grow well aud yield an abund-
ant crop. Wheat, oats, barley, flax
and hay are now the staple products.
Crops are generally put in in April and
mature in August. Hay has been
known to yield two and one-half tons
per acre.
The country is well timbered by large
pine, tanlaruck and red fir trees. These
however lie SO scattering that the land
can most all be cultivated. The majori-
ty of the claims are so well tmbered
that as soon as the railroad taps this
region, land this is contemplated this
summer) the timber alone will bring
from one to three thousand dollars.
The toughest claims that years ago no
one thought would be taken up, now
sell readily for $1,000, while uniliproved
claims, partly prairie, sell readily from
81 800 to $1,000.
There is no point in the state where
grazing can be carried on to better adj
vantage. Water is everywhere album
dant and grass grows luxuriantly. 1t
is close to the famous breaks of Salmon
and sheep winter without feed Stock
raising can be carried on successfully
and will always form one of the chief
Industries Of the country.
Though the altitude is high, the
winters are not severe, while in the
summer this region is the f.mous re-
sort for the people of the surrounding
country. The air is delightful, free
from the intense heat of the valleys,
and pure and healthful. In the win
ter, the snow sets in about Christmas
and generally lasts until March. The
lowest temperature reached on three
days this winter was 4 below zero, and
the average temperature, made from
correct and close observation, was $50
above zero.
This locality is being rapidly settled.
More than one hundred and fifty fam
lilies nave CLANS there at present. I'M
provementis going on very rapidly.
Farms are being fenced. Houses,
barns and outbuildings will compare
favOrably, with any of the much longer
settled regions. School districts are
plenty and there is at present one store
on the mountain, from which all mer-
shandise can readily be supplied.
Craig mountain is one of the finest To-
calities tributary to Lewiston, and the
advent of the railroad will make it "a
valuable and desirable locality for