Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-04-10

Ot true, Il su uall luSilucu " ttiuh lstc
writer Is Ia some way interested in the
settlement of that part of the state, and
possibly received some compensation for
writing IL.
The state OF Idaho joins Washington
on the west, Wyoming snd Montsns on
the east, and borders on Canada; con-
seQuently II Is in the same latitude ss
Maine. LEMUEL DUNHAM.
We are permitted 10 publish an extract
from private letter written by gen.
tlemsn who has recently been devoting
his time 10 the personal Investigation OF
practical farming by irrigation 10 the
West. His vivid portrayal OF the sd-
vsntages OF that system will no doubt
interest our readers. He says:
There Il vast, an immessuresble
difference between farming In the east
and farming In the west. IL the farmers
OF the east could only be made 10 under
stand the advantages enjoyed by their
western brethren, verify believe there
would soon be no land for settlement in
the great irrigation states. The irriga-
ton farmer has absolute certainty OF
crop, and certainty of its perfect ms
turity. He never plants that he does
not reap, and when say reap | don't
mean the resping OF scattered stands Of
half maturei grain such ss the eastern
farmer cuts az the close OF dry season !;
but the resping OF fields that frequently
average 80 bushels OF whest On the acre
every grain Of which has reached the
perfection Of development. There is no
anxious scanning Of the skies for the
cloud no larger than mans hand and
feryeut prayers thst u may envelop the
heavens and send down water 10 the
thirsty fields. The irrigation farmer
never thinks about rain. Tie watches
his growing crops, and the dsv sud the
hour moisture il needed, he Is out With
his hoe flooding his fields With water
from canals that skirt them.
Everything grows Ia the west that
grows anywhere else In the United
states north OF Tennessee. Potstoss 8
frequently WELD 500 bushels 10 the acre,
sud barley Is grown far better than any
raised In the east. The fruits sre d,-
licious. | never saw any 10 compare
with those grown Ia Idaho, where al-
pies. peaches, plums, cherries, pear,
spricOts abound, and where there are
thousands Of acres OF Italian and Gei-
man prunes which | am told have made
fortunes for their owners.
ITO nv mind, Idaho is the best watel-
ed aud most inviting arid state 10 the
Union. | made 4 careful investigation
OF the great Snake River valley in that
state, along and tributary 10 the Orego
Short Line Railroad, and saw there evil
dences OF prosperity such as have never
seen elsewhere in the United States.
This wonderful valley Is said 70 contain
over 5000, 900 acres OF arabic land. lt is
threaded with great irrigation canals Ia
every direction, and there are vast tracts
awaiting only the touch OF the farmer 10
mske them productive. The sun doesn't
shine on fiuer or more fertile land.
When 1 saw the happy homes, the we'll
filed gransries, the sleek, fat stock, snd
the smile on the face OF nature reflected
In a smile OF contentment on the faces
Of the farmers, my heart went out in pity
10 the thousands in the east who are
struggling along from year TO year. toll
ing against adverse climatic conditions,
and never knowing how soon drouth
will wipe out the profits OF prosperous
years
Lands can be had in this Snake River
valley almost for the asking, but they
are going, day by day. The Oregon
Short Line IL making extraordinary ef-
forts 10 bring the advantages OF Idaho TO
the notice of eastern farmers, and Is
flooding the country with conservatively
written descriptions Of the state. Write
10 the General Passenger Agent OF this
Railroad st Salt Lake for printed matter
about Idaho, aud read it carefully. Ii
will be a revelation 10 you and 1 sincere
ly believe will end In your removal TO
the west."