The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-16
NATURE GENEROUS
In SUNSHINE land
Weiser, Idaho, and the County Of
Which It Is the Seat Appeals
Strongly to the Homeseeker and
the Farmer.
SECTIONS PROSPERITY DUE
SOLELY TO IRRIGATION

Soil That Was Once of Desert
Character Now Transformed
Into Smiling Garden Through
Unfailing Water Supply.
BY HERBERT vANpERHooF.
The city of Weiser, the county seat sof
Washington, Idaho, held within it's con-.
flnes at the last census taking, popula-.
ton Of $500 souls. It Is growing steadily,
thanks to the daily arrival OF homeseek-a
ers who have chosen the spot for per-
manent resting place. and, Judging from
the rate at which new settlers are APP
Bile Its population within the next two
years. ,..s.1a go
Much Of .sweiser's popularity is due to
the fact that 1t Is the acknowledged busi-
extraordinarily fertile region lying In the
southwest section of the state. Nothing
succeeds like success and the enterprise
of Weiser citizens has given an impetus
that augurs we'll for its future prosperity.
The town is situated directly upon the
Oregon boundary line. The waters Of the
tributaries Of the great Snake river, pour
Ing GOWN .LN0 HSlSuOOIAIS uIOui1-
tains, afford unexcelled opportunities for
the utilization Of the splendid irrigation
system which has converted Washington
county into one Of the most fruitful dis
OF moisture. combined with a naturally
fertile soil, there is practically no limit
to the rewards which the agrioulturist
may expect in return for his labors.
An eastern capitalist who recently saw
At to purchase land in Washington county
has this to say regarding his investment:
while there can be no better spot
found for stock growing purposes than
Washington county. It Is a mistake to
pass lightly over the agricultural posi-
bilities of this section Of Idaho. Irriga-
ton has worked wonders for the soil; a
crop failure Is g. catastrophe utterly un-
cultivation are simply astounding. When
the outside world awakes to a sense OF
the riches to be accumulated by dint Of
little attention In this region, settlers
from all sides VIII descend upon it like
an invading srmy.
The Advances In Values.
AT the present time wouldn't sac1d-
fee my holdings in Washington county
! for four times the price ] paid for them
admit got them at bargain, but thai
| wRs some time ago, and the future looks
pretty rosy. WeiseT City and Washing
/ ton county have become important factors
1 in the commercial world, although they
have practically only started In the race,
/ But you can't set any limit as 10 where
| they viii end up"
/ Whset, oats, barley, potatoes, fruits and
/ berries all flourish well In washington
county. The principal crops are, Of
| course, alfalfa and red clover for hay,
Much of this product is consumed 81
home, being fed to stock but of late a
! considerable portion has been shipped out
of the state In answer TO the market de-
mand which grows larger daily.
The orchards OF the county nave become
! famous for the rare quality of fruit they
produce, This is particularly the case
4 with apples, which are highly esteemed
for their delicate flavor by eastern critics
| Although the fruit lands are scheduled as
tracts can stiu be secured from $40 to
500 per acre. Even q small section OF
this fruit land will yield a comfortable
living to the fortunate possessor, and
offers q Favorable chance to the man OF
narrow means who is seeking good in
vestment.
The change wrought in the land char
acteristicS Of Idaho by the installation Of
able. One gazes in mute establishment
upon the wide expanse of acres, thtci
with verdure, yielding untold wealth I'M
der the supervision OF the industrious
farmer, and wonders through what
mighty agency the transformation was
brought about. The contrast between the
forbidding desert plains of Idaho In tht
past and her glorious present is too grea
/ ~ Irrigation Solves tho Mystery.
And the mystery of the change can bs
solved In one word-irrigation. Even g:
the breath OF life is to man, so Is tn,
neefiful water TO the thirsty earth. Their
| was water enough and to spare In tn
MISUNDERSTANDING had not been misery
But human intelligence Was required l,
order to distribute the supply properly
The hand Of man brought the welcom,
draught to the fever-racked earth. Idah.
drank deep and Irrigation repaid the give
@ Thousand fold with the treasures OF he
lands.
Stock growing In Washington county a
o highly profitable industry. No bette
feed can be found anywhere than In tn
luxurtant growth of native grasses an
vegetation that cover the great hills. Sew
eral Glasses OF stock snbstst entirel.
Through the year on the feed they I'm,
on the ranges
A boom in the lumber trade of lat
promises To play no small part in the de
velopment OF Washington county
Through the central and northern por
tions Of the county, and in the neigh
borhood OF the head waters of the nu
merous tributaries to the Weiser river
Immense tracts Of standing timber offe
irresistible attractions to the lumber spec
uiator. These great sources of supply ar
rapidly being taken advantage Of
There are now twenty-seven lumbe
mills In active operation throughout tn
county. Most of these are custom mills
and the remainder sell principally to tn
home market. 30 far only small per
centage OF the lumber has found its wa
out of the county.
But this condition win soon be RENE
died. Not only are there other mills 4
process of construction, but there is ais
a rapid improvement IN transportatio
facilities to be noted
Magnificent Climatic Conditions,
1t must be conceded that Idaho ha
been greatly favored above her siste
states In point OF climatic conditions sh
is most emphattcally the -1and OF sun
shine" and on this subject you will eve
lind the od or young inhabitant ready t
wax enthusiastic. A Washington ool,nt
settler who has spent over two wears
this section laughed broadly when I aske
him what his unbiased opinion was re
gardtng the climate of his home
Seems to me there can be only or
opinion as to our Idaho weather" he sal
soWy, ou don't need to spend man
months here to find out that it's tn
greatest IN the world. You don't freez
to death in winter or roast In summe
\ II ever there WAS a happy medium In II,
. weather line, it's to be found right her,
4 Bully nights for sleeping cool and re
4 fresh1ng. A man wakes UP ready fe
work feeling like @ race horse. and IL
days are just as II they were made B
\ order for the farmer.
Take last year, for instance. ] WIS
\ able 70 plow every month In It. You don
4 need to be afraid of blizzards and thur
der-stormE, and the sun shines all IL
time. much as to say. Cheer ND, fello,
I'm helping you all i can.'"
Ihere are no exaggerations in the for,
going statement. "A glance at the weeth,
bureau statistics will show that ali la,
Winter the country adjoining the Snail
river and it's tributaries endowed ilie
weather conditions. The breath of snriT
seemed in the air the grass cover
the land with robes of emerald, and. e,