The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1892-03-18
That Combine to Give the Koo-
tenai Country Its Greatness.
MINING, FARMING. NUMBERING
Mines Richer Than Those of Colo
RADIO, Farms More Fertile Than in
Iowa, and Forests Unlimited.

There is perhaps 40 country in.
America that presents a more
promising future than the Koote-
mai. No country could be more
favored with advantages or natural
resources. 1t has long been known
as one Of the richest mineral and
agricultural sections IN the North
west. Until a few years ago it re-
quired considerable nerve and
pluck to penetrate its depths, and
the great difficulties encountered in
obtaining supplies, from the lack
Of trqnsportion facilities, discour-
aged many Of the early pioneers;
therefore, until recently, but little
has been done in the way Of inn
provements.
The Kootenai country comprises
all of northern Idaho, northwest
ern Montana and the southeastern
portion of British Columbia. 1t
has an elevation of about 1000
feet above sea level, giving it a
healthful and delightful climate,
which from one end of the year to
the other is unsurpassed, Agricul-
ture, which is destined to become
one of it's chief industries, like all
other resources here, is in its in
fancy Of development. While the
productions have always been linn
tied, though in great demand, it
would have been useless heretofore
to raise crops beyond enough to
supply the local markets, as the
heavy freight charges over wagon
roads would have made it unprofit
able.
The Great Northern railroad,
which lis now pushing through the
heart of the Kootenai country, will
prove the most important factor in
; developing this industry. Having
already passed the experimental
age, and now that a new market
is soon to be opened for surplus
products, work upon farms will be-
gin in earnest. 1t has taken years
for the people of Northern Idaho
and British Columbia to arrive at
Just appreciation Of the wonder
full possibilities of the Kootenai
country. That some Of the most
fertile and extensive valleys in the
Northwest yet remain unsettled
will no doubt astonish many of our
readers, yet it is in every sense
true. For several years the tide Of
immigration has pushed further
west. Although much has been
said and heard Of these lands, few
had any accurate idea of their eX-
tent or agricultural possibilities.
1t should also be stated here that
the agricultural lands are Of sew
= eral distinct classes; first, the bot
! tom or meadow lands, possessing a
rich and heavy soil, insuring an
almost inexhaustible productive
ness, lying next to the streams, are
generally taken by the first set
tiers; second, the forest lands,
which are covered with pines and
gradually rise into mountains,
possess a warm, sandy loan, and
are recognized as land capable OF
the widest range Of productiveness
and are less subject to frost. Veg
etables of all kinds grow with
scarcely any attention, and the
quality is equal to the quantity
The mountainous portion Of this
country is covered with rich and
abundant forests Of pine, fir, cedar,
tamarack and other varieties Of the
finest trees that man could ask. II
would be useless to attempt to de-
nnrihe these extensive fnrests fnn