The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-12-31

that their state is the most richly en-
dowed OF the entire sisterhood of in
termountain commemorative. The
claim embraces varied resources In
greater abundance than can be shown
In any other Of these states; more land
that may be cultivated, more water
with which 10 cause 1t to blossom, a
greater area of valuable mineral coun-
try, more magnificent forests Of tim
Der, and, generally. a little more of
everything than other states of this
region possess. Idaho has made the
further claim, as a logical sequence of
the other, that with attention turned
this way the state would show more
rapid development than any other.
Those who have had an opportunity
TO acquaint themselves with conditions
as they exist at the close Of 1905 are
disposed to admit that there has been
and is much foundation for the claims
made by the citizens of Idaho. The
state is now enjoying a great develop
ment boom and is striding forward in
a manner that causes surprise to those,
even, who are numbered among her
citizens. The year has been one of
great prosperity; and, moreover, en-
terprises have been launched which
give promise of sending the common
wealth far along toward a position of
leadership among those where like con-
ditions prevail. There was never be-
fore so much attention directed toward
Idaho; there never before was so much
capital being invested in enterprises
which will continue to be a source of
wealth-production as the generations
pass.
All Industries Prosper.
This activity which has been a char
aSz - TIaI
been carried into every department,
every branch of industry having been
advanced and the state placed In a far
stronger position than ii has occupied
in the past. Irrigation development
has been in progress on a mammoth
scale, this being participated in both
by the reclamation service of the gov
eminent and by private capitalists.
Great progress has been made by the
mining industry. this being in a far
more healthful condition than in former
years. The stockmen have been blessed
with Astounding prosperity, and the
farmers have likewise been rewarded
with large returns for their labOrs.
LAUNDERING, a new industry IN the state
on large scale. has become an impor-
tant factor in the general welfare. and
every other department of human ac-
tivity has shared in the general ad-
vance that has characterized the year
1daho's towns and cities have expanded
in population and business at a phe-
nomenal rate and seem destined to go
on growing at an even greater pace.
Great Irrigation Development.
More pronounced than that in any
other field has been the development
of irrigation in the state during the
year. The government has been en-
gagged in the construction of one great
system and private enterprise has been
pushing others forward. The total
amount OF land brought under cultiva-
tion by the systems upon which work
has been In progress is nearly 500. 600
acres. This amount viii be increased
to 10000 by another project upon
which contracts are to be let soon.
The greatest enterprise in the state
is that at Twin Falls. That is in pri
vate hands, the reclamation of the
lands being undertaken by a company
that has contracted with the state for
the purpose. The lands are withdrawn
by the latter under the provisions of
the Carey act. The works were we'll
along before the opening of the year.
but active settlement began this year
and a remarkable record has been
made IN retaining the sagebrush
plain. Settlers poured in; tens of thou
sands OF acres of land were taken up,
and immense tracts brought under Gull
tivation. Though water was not turned
on until May I, a great number OF
farmers produced crops, while a multi
tude have most of their land cleared
ready for the coming season.
Water for this tract is diverted from
TIE Snake river at Miner. There a
great dam arrests the stream, diverting
the water through a mammoth canal.
This carries sufficient water for the ir-
Sgation Of the entire tract or the south
nde of the river 240, 900 acres. The
land has practically all been taken,
largely by people from the east, and
holdings are in demand at a substan-
tial advance over the figures at which
they were purchased. The price is S25
an acre for a water right, and 30 cents
an acre for the state, TO pay the ex-
pense Of administration. The national
government donates the lands TO the
state. The vast system of canals and
laterals is not yet completed. but hold
ings for which water is not yet ready
command from $40 to $40 an acre pre-
MUM.
Towns Grow by Magic.
The to wn of Twin Falls, started late
in 1904. is now a thriving place OF 5000
Inhabitants. Lots that were put on
the market at $500 have sold as high as
So,VtO, ana as late as a month ago one
that was bought from the company at
$500 on a back street changed hands
at $4,000. There are two or three other
towns on the tract. The thriving town
pf Burley. bearing the name of the pop
jlar general passenger agent of the
Oregon Short Line, is only a short dis
lance above the upper end of the tract
No other company undertaking the
reclamation Of lands in Idaho has pro-
ceeded upon such a liberal scale as the
Twin Falls Land & Water company
Among the provisions il has made for
the benefit of the settlers is the estab-
lishment of an experimental farm. The
clearing of the sagebrush on the land
was begun on May l, and during the
season Agricultural Superintendent
Mcpherson has grown some twenty
seven different varieties of farm and
garden produce on the farm. Mr.. Nc
Pherson is employed by the company
TO manage this farm and give the farm
ers instruction Every man. new 10 ir-
rigation. who finds a problem he can
not solve. is privileged to apply to the
superintendent and the latter gives him
the necessary practical instruction.
Put Millions Into Farms.
This company has arranged to build
another canal on the north side of the