Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1900-04-19
Wonderful Idaho.

The following is one of series OF
letters now being published in 2720
weekly and semi-weekly newspapers
in the Mississippi valley states under
the direction oil the Oregon Short Line
Railroad. II is an excellent descrip-
ton of the resources Of Idaho in few
words. The railroad company is do.
ing more extensive advertising for
Idaho than the people here are gener-
ally aware of
Criticise the Mormons as you will,
they mnst be credited with the wonder
full system Of irrigation by which the
wastes of the western states have been
redeemed. On July "a, lS47, Brigham
Young aud his little band of pionee rs
began the construction of the first ir-
| rigation canal ever built in the United
| States.
Irrigation made of Utah's desert
wilderness the garden spot of America.
Il is doing as much for Idaho where
the mountains are so located that am
pie valleys and plains of millions of
acres may be easily and economically
watered. On the Nile, in Italy, Spain
and elsewhere in Europe, irriga tion
has prevailed for centuries. Ind eed i,
60 per cent of the worlds bread-stu ifs
and cereals are grown by irrigation.
Where "the vine-clad hill and cit
ron groves" around Vesuvius in sunny
Italy are found, q great population
has been sustained for many thousand
years-and the land has never worn
Quits wonderful vitality being due
to underlying strata OF lava which by
some curious chemistry renders the
soil immortal.
Idaho's wonderfully productive soil
covers lava strata deposited by volca-
noes long ago extinct. The rejuvena-
ton of the land results not alone
from this lava, but from rich fertilizers
annually brought to it by the irriga-
ton waters. 1t is almost an aphorism,
land is good wnere sage brush grows.
Wheat, corn, oats, barley, alfalfa, tim
othy, rye, flax, tobacco, broom corn,
sorghum, sweet and Irish potatoes,
beets, cabbage, hops and fruits, such
as prunes, apples, pears, plums, pea
ehes, cherries. apr cots, nectarines,
grapes and all Of the small bush
products grow profusely. Particular
ly do the apple, pear and prune at
tain to perfection in size and flavor.
Alex Mcpherson of Boise City, re.
allied $500 per acre from apples. Geo.
2. Hall of Mountain Home sold $500
worth of peaches from one acre. T.
J. Phifer of Boise City, realized 5000
from two acres of Italian prunes. In
stances like these can be multiplied
ad minimum.
But Idaho does not depend entirely
on agriculture. Its mountains are
filled with mining camps which fur
Il an home market for far more agri
cultur'l products than the state is
now able to produce.
Snake river valley contains about
100000 acres and some OF the finest
pastoral scenes there presented are in
the midst of gold placer mining opera
tions. Many farmers there realize
handsomely for work during spare
hours--washing shining powdered
gold from the rivers bed.
In a state having so many product.
i've portions to select from it is hard to
suggest particular locations but set
tiers will find room for any number
of new homes.
Different state and private agencies
are sending out printed Information
about Idaho. Perhaps the most con-
servatively prepared matter is that now
emanat ng from the general passenger
agent OF the Oregon Short Line at
Salt Lake City, Utah. This railroad
permeates almost every agricultural
region i'll the state and stands ready to
furnish to homeseekers every courtesy
in the power OF fits officers
At the present rate Idaho will soon
be as tnickly populated as Utah. tits
in the same latitude as France, Swift
erland, Portugal, Spain and Italy, and
its climate is incompatible.
Vast timber areas furnish lumber
of excellent quality. Cyclones and
obstructive storms never occur. The
winters are short aud people work out
doors all the year. The annual death
rate is the lowest of any state in the
Union.
Verify Idaho is a wonderful state
and destined to become the home place