The Minneapolis journal., 1906-08-08
Wonders that Irrigation Has Ac-
complished in the Reclamation
of the Sagebrush Desert Lands
of Idaho.
AMAZING FERTILITY
IT,. IN PAYETTE VALLEY
"A Land of Sunshine, Where Fruit
and All Kinds of Agriculture
Respond Without Failure to
Mans Efforts. ..
BY HERBERT VANDERHooF.

BY HERBERT VANDERHOOF.
Lying by the western border of the
sunny state of Idaho, rich beyond ina gin
alton in all that goes to make an agri-
cultural paradise, lies the fertile Payette
valley, marvellous example of the Won
ders wrought in the bosom of old Mother
Earth by the magical powers of irrigation.
Situated at the junction of the Payette
and Snake rivers, this charming stretch
| of country has earned the right to be de-
| scribed as the most promising section OF
the zoo, 900 acres Of land now cultivated
| by irrigation in the state.
! The town of Payette. now numbering
over 5000 Inhabitants, is the national
center of this tributary country. Its
growth has been phenomenal, and the
population bids fair, according to presep6
indications, to double during the next
! three years. .~.. -- r..
The soil of the valley is peculiarly well
adapted for irrigation purposes. 1t is OF
volcanic origin, light, mellow, and entirely
| free from stones. In the course OF time,
the ancient lava becoming disintegrated,
essential plant foods took its place IN
abundance. Soil of this nature contains
three times as much nitrogen as that OF
the humid regions. Also the e,r capacisy Hacis.
ture is so great that nearly all the rain
fall penetrates Immediately into It.
After a continued period OF rain the
moisture, which gradually subsidies into
the subsoil, wetting it for two and
half to ten sset, according to the rainfall.
The deeper soil does not readily absorb,
so the moisture is utilized by the crops
| in the spring and early summer.
The early settlers in the valley realized
that with an adequate water Supply ine
spot could, be converted into a Veritable
farmers Eden. -.
Solving the Irrigation Problem.
These farmers were men of indonitable
energy in whose creed there was no such
word as failure. They held counsel to-
gether and evolved a cooperative, pan pan
. which resulted in an early and successful
! solution of. the irrigation proble en BE "
remembered that they did not wait 1or
federal aid. It was purely a matter OF
J. AS result. of their labors. the valley
s today Is irrigated from several large
n bitches. The largest of these is thlrty-
= Ave miles long and is capable OF watering
! 20, 600 acres. The main head gate Was
;. constructed in cement at cost OF WV
K 900 OF the 100000 acres which consti-
tute the surface Of the yaitey over
n Under the combined influences Of life
a giving water and cheering sunshine, the
J fruit crops Of this section nave attalhea q
;. extraordinary proportions. And 1t Is
s owing to this fact that the homeseeker
+ of large ambitions but limited capital
g1 finds golden opportunities awaiting MIN.
: For small tracts of this fruit growing
:. land yield immense returns Even on
3 ten acre holding a good living can pc
made and farms OF from twenty TO 1orty
acres furnish their owners with amazing
f Much. of Payette's prosperity is due e., to
=. its excellent climatic conditions. Inc
winter is mild ana rah pleasant rains lnT nroeaims
y the arrival Of spring, when the sheep men
2, take their herds, which have wintered d. IN
e the valley, to the mountain an ranges S n,ors re
f at intervals until July. Begins then tne
;. long, sunny, growing, season, Mnlch >$sis $sis
until late in hr the fa af the All ao eaa works 1s
Without fear, undisturbed by the thought
of damage to his crop by a sudden storm.
Amount of Annual Precipitation.
The fall and winter rains cover
period of about three weeks: At the END
of that time the snow drifts oesln 20
appear on the mountain sides, ana up-
eral water supply is thus insured for the
coming summer. The annual preoipita-
ton is fifteen inches.
:: and mountains that surround the valley.
the fruit crops are well shielded from
destructive winds. Thus protected, the
yield is simply enormous and calculates
- to awaken feelings of astonishment IN
the visitors breast who is brought race
to face for the first time with e1lstlns
conditions in the wonderful Payetee
For all fruits thrive in this remark
:. able region. Figs, almonds and Engllsn
walnuts bear plentifully, while peaches,
to a prodigious size, and yet retain all the
natural delicate flavor. Italian and silver
prunes begin bearing in three years, and
The third year WIN yed and 1do an
:, profit Of $10o to $500 per acre Is very
There is never failing demand Si,ist,an in the
The Idaho farmer does not have TO worry
e as to the ultimate disposal of his PROD
ucts. A satisfactory financial recompense
in the knowledge that the market Is al
ways hungry for more.
Another industry which has secured :.
practical foothold and promises well i
that of bee culture. Several car load:
of hives have been planted in the ailalIe
and clover fields. The busy little honey
makers have thriven splendidlE In theil
new home, and their product commando
q high market price.
BountIfuI Yields Of Alfalfa.
Tba chief forage crop of the valley IL
S. alfalfa 1t is cut three times year an, an.
yields on an average seven tons 10 IN IN
acre which usually sells 1or nsnrs ~ per from
SO to SIS. Clover and timothy rui
about the same in tonnage and price
It is the intention of the United state
q. = government to divert water from the up
per courses of the Payette river, Whicl
will be used in part to irrigate larg
act of country above the present Pay
ette valley irrigating bitches. This WI
q open up a fine body Of land, many acre
Of which are still subject to homestea
- entry. AT the head of the Payette rive
lie 1000, 900 acres of splendid timber. Tnl
region Is being rapidly developed by loca
people, who float the logs down the rive
to the town, where they are copyerte
into lumber.
The advantages presented to the pros
pecttye homeseeker by the Payette valle
are becoming widely known, with tn
result that each succeeding day Wltnesse
: the arrival Of new settlers anxious I
reap the benefits Of the locality. I Gn
doubtedly it is one of the most promlstn
sections in the West for the ambition
immigrant.
And let it be understood that thos
who come earliest fare best. Propert
"a. can now be had at extremely low hgures
= Unimproved land under the ditch can o
purchased, but, needless to say 1t Is De
= Ing rapidly disposed Of, and m q snol
space Of time the opportunity Will hav
passed away The man with q rev dol
lars to invest may find the chance OF
lifetime within his grasp II he does nc
linger too long in ayaling himself OF
Valleys Prosperity Is Assured.
II Payetts valley Is advancing daily. II
y;rosperity Is assured and the indfvidus
who trusts himself to the sweeping cul
rent of its progressive tide IN fa