The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-10-19

ing i60 acres, which is the limit Of
oWr ership that the government will
recognize. Several of the land proprie-
tors in the valley have refused to sub
init to this condition. They prefer to
hold their lands for speculative pur-
poses and deny the authority Of the
government to compel them to sell or
to limit the price. Their obstinacy
may delay the project somewhat, and
their lands will not be irrigated. The
government will not irrigate more than
1GO acres for any one man. The public
lands, which comprise about 10000
acres, will be subdivided into tracts Of
eighty acres each and sold at an aver
age cost of SIS per acre, the lowest
price Of any project the construction OF
which the government has yet under
taken. There will be no opportunity to
secure government land for several
years, however, for it is practically
confined to the water covered lakes
and swamps, which must first be thor
oughly drained and made ready for
cultivation. A considerable part Of the
private lands are now offered for sale
at prices ranging from $40 to SIS an
acre, according to it's location and the
quality Of the SOIL
klamath valley is surrounded by
magnificent forests of pine and red
fir. The timber resources of the imme-
date region have been estimated by
L: =
which is now being slowly cut by half
a dozen sawmills. The surrounding
mountains and foothills, which are be-
You'd the reach of irrigation, afford ex-
cellent pasturage, and even now an
average Of $4,000 head of beef cattle
are driven to market annually and q
proportionate number of sheep and
horses. Most of the horses raised
here are sold to the United States
army.
The reclaimed land is very rich. 1t
grows all kinds Of grain and vegeta
bles, and especially celery, asparagus,
potatoes and forage plants for dairy
cattle. The climate is similar to that
Of central New York state The lakes
and rivers are filled with fish, and the
swamps are swarming with duck,
geese and other birds.
The 250,000 acres of land that are
about to be irrigated will no doubt be
extended whenever the demand re-
quires it, for at least 100000 acres may
easily be reached by irrigation. AT
present the entire population Of the
valley is not more than 5000 or 6,00O-
the local authorities claim 100O0-and
they are scattered in a dozen villages.
klamath Falls is the largest town and
the commercial center. 1t claims 1900
population and probably has little
more than 1000 1t will increase rap
idly in numbers from this time on,
however. Not less than 1000 or 1000
laborers will be required by the gov
eminent, and they must be fed, cloth
ed and taken care Of Many Of them
will doubtless bring their families and
settle in the neighborhood Already
the town is so crowded that no houses
can be had, and there is not vacant
room. Newcomers are compelled to
live in tents until they can provide
something better There is a fringe Of
white canvas all around the outskirts
Of the town.
klamath Falls is pretty place and
has an enterprising people. There are
banks and stores of all kinds, which
seem to be doing a large business, and
an excellent hotel. There is fine
schoolhouse and various other features
of modern civilization, and there will
be railroad in there very soon.