The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-04-18
.pcnR THAN CONNECTICUT, RHODE
bA ISIANL OR DEI.A ARE.
,,;,a Fruit Growing, LAUNDERING.
Min ny, Scenic Beauties,
Hunting and Fishing.

county, Idaho: It's Resources and |
poi,ts of Attraction to Capitalists
Io,aseekers, and Pleasure-Seekars."
was prepared by Bartlett Sinclair for
Tho immigration convention at Boise:
Kootenai county is the most norther-
~ county of Idaho British Columbia,
Iuashington, Montana are respectively
&c mort hern, western and eastern bound
cries. Latah and Shoshone counties
border OH the south. Thus surrounded
nv territory rich in mineral and aSri-
culture it partakes of both of tn use
characteristics.
In length ii is 140 miles, in width an
average Of 40 miles, and in shape it is
nractically rectangular. Its area is
about $500 square miles, or $780, 600
acres. Of this vast region, about one
fifth is surveyed. In the exercise of
pardonable pride it has become quite
the thing for western citizens to com
pare western counties, not with the
counties of eastern states, but with the
eastern states themselves, and even
grouns Of states. Kootenai county is
larger than Connecticut, Rhode Island
or Delaware, and nearly as large as
Massachusetts,, New Hampshire, New
Jersey or Vermont.
In general terms Kootenai county
may be described as mountainous ana
agricultural. The field notes Of the gov
eminent surveyors describe the land as
good agricultural and grazing land.
The unsurveyed lands, excepting min
eral and timber and stone lands, viii
fall under the same class
AGRICULTURE
At this time agriculture is supreme.
The valleys of the county are settling
up and the wilderness is being trans
formed into Veritable gardens. These
valley lands are about evenly distrib-
uted over the county. The soil bears
the same general characteristics, being
black loamy deposit of decayed min
eral and vegetable matter.
It's strength of fertility is unsurpass-
ed. 1t will sustain and mature almost
any crop. Root crops are especially pro-
life. Five to six tons of potatoes to an
acre constitute All average yield. Spring
vegetables Of every description do we'll
Celery is getting to be a staple product
tomatoes mature and ripen when prop
ery cared for. Tobacco is raised sue.
cessfully.
The valley lands are easily cleared
and the soil is readily reduced to The
cultivation state. Ploughing begins II
March and April. The prices of valley
lands vary from the homestead fee K
higher figures
The most thicl1ly settled valleys arr
1hose OF the kootenai river, Penf
oOreille, Occur d'Alene, Spokane, Pacl
river st. Joseph's, ST. Marie's, Prizes
river Clark fork, Hoodoo, and the acres
VI choice lands bordering on the lakes
VI the county. Vacant government
iailds are Obtainable in any of these val
leys.
me prairie and bench lands are com
ing TO the front The experiments mad
ny fruit growers and growers Of grail
nave established their value beyon'
question. Bearing living testimony t
.n's are hundreds of young orchards
many of which are productive. 1t
iAeiy the fall just passed has witness
su more fruit-tree planting than an
DEVIOUS one. Fruit grown in Kootena
souh'y, including strawberries, prune
u "o all the smaller fruits, possess a az
noious f1avor and great beauty of az
pearance.
me abundance of meadow and graz
=. as iahds offer excellent inducements I
e stock breeder. Wild hay is commo
,e.ywhere in the county. Among Tn
ietles are found bunch grass, Ell
n;a redtop, blue joint, slough gras
etc
tr,a ordinary hay meadow will ylel
,aa, TO three tons to the acre. A yer
.a..se revenue is derived annually frol
,lls source. Winter forage is cheapl