The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-03-24
(Boise, Idaho. Lottery

l y I'VE SAV10 r--H. u.s.. ."H ... y.
(Boise, Idaho, Letter.)
Criticise the Mormons as you Will,
they must be credited with the won
derful system of irrigation by which
| the wastes of the western states have
been redeemed. On July "a, IS47,
Brigham Young and his liatle band OF
pioneers began the construction OF tAe
first irrigation canal ever built In the
United States.
Irrigation made of Utah's desert VII"
derness the garden spot of America. IL
IL doing as much for Idaho, where the
mountains arc SO located that ample
valleys, and plains of millions OF
acres, may be- easily and economically
watered. On the Nile, in Italy,
Spain and elsewhere in Europe. irri-
cation Has prevailed for centuries: In
deed, 60 per cent Of the worlds bread
stuffs and cereals grown by irriga-
ton.
Where. "the, vine-clad hills and citron
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
o~-n~~ u rvr rkvn<o 1nr0offad hU vnJn9s
noes long ago extinct. The rejuvena-
ton of the. land results not alone from
this lava, but from rich: fertilizers an
nually brought to 1t by the irrigation
waters. IT is almost an aphorism that
land is good where sage brush grows.
Marvellous must therefore be- the fer
tility Of Idaho, for everywhere the
green of the sage is SEEM Wheat, corn.
oats. barley, alfalfa, timothy. rye. fax,
tobacco, broom corn. sorghum. sweet
and Irish potatoes. beets. oabbages.
hops, and fruits. such as prunes. ap-
pies, pears. plums, peaches. cherries,
apricots, n~ectarines grapes and all OF
the small bush products. grow profuse-
". Particularly do the. apple, pear and
prune attain; to- perfection; i'm size and
flavor.
Alex. Mcpherson, Of Boise City real
fzed $500 per acre from apples. Geo.
L. Hall Of Mountain Home sold $500
worth Of peaches from one. acre: 7. ].
Phifer Of Boise City realized: $500 from
two acres of Italian prunes. Instances
like these can be multiplied: adi infni'
tum.
But Idaho does not depend entirely
upon agriculture. Its mountains are
filed with mining camps which furnish
q home market for far more agricul>
tural products than the state is, now
able to produce.
Snake River. Valley contains about
5000, 900 acres and some Of the finest
pastoral Genes there presented are in
the midst Of gold placer mirlng opera
lions. Many farmers there realize
handsomely for work during spare
hours-washing shining powderedi gold
from the rivers bed.
In q state having so, many productive
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 emanating from: the general pas.
senger agent Of the Oregon Short Line
at Salt Lake City, Utah. This railroad
permeates almost every agricultural
region in the state and stands ready
to furnish to homeseekers every cour-
tesy in the power Of its. officers.
At the present rate Idaho will soon
be q thickly populated; rs. Utah. It
IL in the same latitude o. France. Swift
xerland. Portugal. Spain and Italy. and
ats climate. H. incompatible.
Vast timber areas furnish lumber Of
excellent quality. Cyclones and do
s~tructive storms. never occuE. The Win
tors are short and DesDls work cut
doors all the year. The annual dealt.
rate Is the. lowest Of any STATE In thu
Union.
Verify Iaahs IL . wonderful stats and
destined d. bsosus the hps place q
many times ~ present population