Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-03-25

tire section of north Idaho, containing
all area three times as great as the state
Of New Jersey. does not require irriga-
ton, but crops are sure and enormous
through natural causes. Some large
cities are certain to grow into being in
this portion of the state.
The larger portion of the state, gener-
ally known rs south Idaho, is depend
ent on irrigation for It's crops. This
section. which is about seven times as
large as New Jersey. like the northern
portion, is rich in minerals, water power
and productive lands. While Latah
county in northern Idaho contains
prosperous community of 10000, who
are all dependent on farming without
irrigation. Bingham county, in south
eastern Idaho contains prosperous
community Of 10000, who are all de-
pendent on farming by means of irriga-
ton. The soil of north Idaho is excep-
tionally rich and the yield is equal to
the yield in south Idaho. The average
throughout the state per acre is: wheat
80 bushels; rye rs bushels; oats So BUSH
els; barley, 40 bushelsj potatoes, $50
bushels; hay or alfalfa, five tons. Irri-
CATION implies neither a defect nor
disadvantage, which fact 10 becoming
generally known. 1t is a better fertil-
ger than rainfall; the bright skies of
the arid region are more favorable to
vegetation than cloudy kies; arid soil is
the most fertile soil, on which account
irrigation is now opening the most fer
tile lands of the Union to cultivation;
irrigable lands are more productive than
those fertilzed by showers, and irriga-
ton is favorable to the creation of
numerous class of comparatively small
proprietors. There are innumerable
small streams running through the state,
creating an abundance of water for all
purposes. The Snake river carries
volume of water as great as the Ohio,
and traverses the state for distance of
about 1000 miles. 1t is navigabe for
large steamboats, for 100 miles down the
river, commencing at Lewiston, and
would be almost its entire length were
it not for its swiftness, its gigantic falls,
and its compression at intervals between
narrow canyons. There are probably
6,000,000 acres Of irrigable land of ex-
ceptiona richness yet remaining in
Idaho unclaimed or untouched.
That portion of the state which occu-
pies the west center and of which Boise
is the pride, while rich in mineral and
agriculture, is especially favored as a
fruit region. The readiness and cheap.
ness with which the extensive areas of
sage brush land can be converted to
fruit farms have laid the foundations OF
great fruit grow ng industry. Apples.
pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots,
plums, prunes and grapes are grown in
the greatest abundance and are shipped
to the neighboring states. Within the
past few years the industry has so grown
that some of the fruit has found mar
ket at Chicago. where it ranks even
higher than the California fruit. Straw.
berries, black berries, raspberres and
dewberries are commencing to be ex-
tensively cultivated. Immense tracts OF
land peculiarly adapted to fruit culture
have never been touched. but nestle
along the streams, sheltered by the
mountains. There are eight regular
nurseries in the state. all doing thriv-
ing business. Speaking generally. the
soil and climate of Idaho is so rich and
diversified that almost every product oil
the farm can be cultivated successfully
and prosperously. Over 100000 bushels
of flaxseed were produced in two coun-
ties of north Idaho, Latah and Nez
Perez, last year.
The cattle and stock industry is profit
able, and while the latest census, as
shown in a bulletin prepared by Mr..
Whitehead and issued under the direct
ion of superintendent Porter Septem Der
l6, 1901, places Idaho among the Fl rst
states in the number of its stock on
ranges. the field is scarcely touched.
There are between 100000 and 20. :
100000 acres of good grazing land in the
state, which supported So, 0s4 cattle,
l005S3 horses and 357 $40 sheep In 1889.
This number could be quadrupled with
out injury to the stock raising industry
To be sure, almost every farmer has a
few heads in addition to the large bands
which run upen the ranges. The ordi-
nary loss of stock from all causes is
about 6 per cent. per annum.
There are about l0000000 acres of
timber land, producing white and yellow
pine, fir. cedar. spruce and tamarack.
and some oak. With the exception of
Washington, 1t is doubtful if any state
produces such magnificent timber as
Idaho. 1t is habitually tall, large. and
of dense growth, and easily gotten to
market. Allowing for the destructive
use of timber in the United States. but
having regard also to the competition
of other industries, localities and mate.
rails, it is evident that the lumber inter-
ests of Idhao will afford employment
for all that choose to turn TO them for IA