The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-08-03

Rev A. NJ. nuhoc arrived home Sat.
NfdAy from hM vacation trip ID the
weai, and he reports h splendid Jour
ney, Arked concerning hia travels,
Nj. puDoc said 81 the wyoming coun.
uyl
"ron remember the story OF the
irishman. who, writing home 90 his
FOLKS In the old country, and desiring
10 impress upon them what pros.
peroun country this IL, told them that
in America ne had meat on his table
every Sunday. A friend asked him
why he did not tell them the fact az
IL was THAT he had meat every day
or several times day. He replied:
Mike, that would never do. II 1
should tell them the whole truth they
would think was lying. have to
keep back enough or IL so that they
viii believe IT,"
| have been spending a week In the
Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, and some
OF the facts in this wonderful coun-
try sound so extravagant that IL /
had due regard to my reputation
should act on the Irishman's principle
Scoring, however, such weak and
timid policy. J. will endeavor to tell
facts just as saw them, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth"
The Big Horn Basin is plateau
occupying the north central portion OF
Wyoming, and is skirted on the east
and west and partly on the north by
high mountains whose snow.capped
submits are clearly discernible from
every part of the Basin. 1t is an arid
or semi-arid region. The only species
OF vegetation, where there Is no irri-
cation, are the sage, buffalo grass and
cactus. Most of it can never be re-
claimed, but it abounds In beautiful
valleys almost entirely level, most or
which have been, or are being brought
under the ditch, and wherever water
is brought into it the parren waste Is
transformed at once into a paradise.
The mast extensive canal so far com
pleted is that Of the Hanover Canal
Co. which covers $4,000 acres, all in
one body, and which scarcely contains
an acre Of poor land. me u. s. Gov
eminent appropriated two million and
a half dollars (and we ere told 1t has
since raised it to four millions) on an
extension irrigation project. There
are also many private bitches which
are equally successful.
The son is OF unknown depth and
incredible fertility. All kinds OF small
grain here reach the greatest perfec-
ton. The writer has secured samples
Of Big Tom oats which ran 1927 blu.
TO the acre, Of Macroni wheat which
threshed 68 bu, and OF Bald barley
which produced 80 bu. to the acre.
We know Of one case where a single
grain Of wheat produced thlrty-three
straws, each Of which had head ay-
eraging sixty.three grains, making a
total OF 2,079 grains from q single kerr
mel. Wheat from TINS country took
the first premium at tho Worlds Fair
both at Chicago and st. Louis. Beets
not only grow luxurlantly, but are said
to contain an unusual amount OF
saccharine matter. After sugar fac.
tory has been located here beet cul-
ture will unquestionably be one OF
the leading industries. We have It
on the best authority That II Is on rec
ord in Washington that an experiment
of the u. s. Agricultural Department
succeeded in raising OCT bushels OF
potatoes to the acrel
But this country has many re.
sources besides agriculture. Coal oil
and natural gas have been discovered.
Coal Of high grade aDounds In the
mountains. Copper and gold have al.
so been found, but as the mountains
have never been thoroughly prospect.
ed, their resources are as yet but very
partially known. The Basin Is said
to have taken twentyyseven premiums
at st. Louis and It's petroleum took
the first prize for It's IuDricating quail
tiles both as TO speed ana wear.
The great need Of this country Is
adequate railroad facilities, The
Northwestern is engaged In building
u iJuG W LHt luOubh VI EOioOh SiVVh
on the south edge Of the Basin. The
b. &c M. mas located line and secured
the right-of.way from Frannie on the
north through TO Thermopolis on the
south, and IL is expected they will be-
gin work in a few weeks. AS soon
as this is built wonderful develop
ment awaits this country.
Lands are as yet very cheap. They
can be had under the great irrlgating
canals for $50 an acre, and there are
improved farms under private bitches
that can also be secured for very
reasonable price. AS soop, however,
as the railroad builds there will be a
great jump in the price Of lands, as
they rival In productiveness the best
lands Of Utah and Colorado which are
selling for 500 to 1900.
II anyone doubts any Of my state.
ments, all we have to say to him Is TO
go and see for himself"
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