Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-04-09
A Visitors Impression.

Lewiston, April 7.
70 the editor Of the TELLER:-
A record Of the impressions of vs-
tor upon the occasion of the first OBJ
servation Of the contrast of climate eX-
perienced in Il journey from the Mis-.
sissIppi valley tn the Lewiston valley
might interest the reader. Surprises
may be expected in the erratic month
OF March. That month of this year
will long be remembered in the great
middle west. The winter was long
and severe and tried the farmers and
stOckmen like base metal in crucible
Even after the middle of March. the
winter renewed its terrible grasp after
temporary relaxation and it was like
IL relapse of disease after the system is
exhausted.
The writer left Minnesota two weeks
ago. AS we threaded the great
prairies the snow blocked the engines
and snow plows and lay in drifts as
high AS the telegraph poles. On all
the journey was an unbroken stretch
Of bleak winter.
On the Pacific slope Of the contin-
tai divide the Chinook wind had blown
away the white spread of snow in some
places. The great wheat fields of the
PalOuse had not revived from the
blight Of frosts, aud men and beasts
shrank from the raging lasts that
chilled if they did not kllk 1t was
winter if it was in miIder form till we
approached the Lewiston valley. The
glare Of the vast expanss of snow was
changed in a day when we reached
Spokane. March with its buster was
relief from the cold and the snow;
but when we looked down upon the
Lewiston valley it was not an ordinary
climatic change that impressed us; it
was revelation. In half an hour we
had annihilated many degrees OF lat,-
tude, 1t was ike looking from an
Eitfie tower in New York in winter
down into some smiling valley IF the
south where winter never comes. 1t
was summer scene in u winter play.
1t was like stepping into conser-
vatory of flowers with our overcoats
on, and shutting winter out behind at
the gateway of the valley. The winter
chill was still in the blood. We
wanted to dance to the music Of the
birds, but out feet were stiff with
chilolalns and our limbs We're numb
with the sluggish blood of winter and
we were weighted down with heavy
wooden clothes 1t was a dream OF
spring in the sleep Of winter. A ! the
world must yet he sleeping in the rest
of seasons. Behind was the coverlet OF
snow. Its white folds Tapped over the
rim rock We were truant sprites
aroused, and had fallen from the win
ter bed into the lap of spring.
Everywhere In the Lewiston valley
there are evidences of business thrift
The long congeniai seasons and tie
fruitful soil insure bouhtiful crops
There are no apparent reasons for com.
plant about the Lewiston valley eli
mate and the crops, for the production
of which the conditions are so wei
ordered, can neve: fail. The native
fertility Is inexhaustible. In fact the
soil of the val ey is just being made
1t is new The rocks that are being
ground into sand and dust by the mill.
of the gods are feeding the soil OF thi.
valley. Every mad rvulet that seam.
the mountain sides drives mill tina,
grinds the rocks and carries the girls
to feed the grasses, grains, vegetables
and fruits cf'the Lewiston valley.
In severely practical review of tn.
conditions present in the Lewisto,
valley i. may be said that the soil il
ineXhaustib.e. There are vast deposit.
equal to the mineral beds of Nortl
Carolina on every side which sprea(
over the meadows, fields, garden ano
orchards. The climate is SO perfect fo
farming pursuits that man with su
preme power could not make 1t better
Tue only remaining condition to b'
considered is the distribution of mois
ture. In art Of irrigation man has mas
tered the science of agriculture. Will
practical knowle dye Of the use of arti
fetal water comes the completion o
the course In scientific farming Their,
can be no failures Of crops in this vale,
where the climate aud soil are perfect,
suited to the crops and the moisture i
at the command Of the one who plants
cultivates aud harvests. This comb
mali III makes the Lewiston valles b,
IA lor,cai colclusion the most produc
tive in the wor d That alone insure
for this Elem fame that will exteu,
to the ends of the earth. There Is az
other and an important consideration
This valley Is assured of n market tina
cannot h over stockad with the specia
q ..~sl . IA