Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-02-03

tude o. the south OF France and north
sern Italy. The Boise valley In the
southern part Of tho state lies at an
elevation of about $500 feet, and the
lowest temperature during the year is
but slightly under freezing.
In Boise valley as In California in
the early days. the demand for food,
and the exorbitant prices Tor vegeta-
bles and meat. induced some of the
hardy Argonauts 20 break the rules of
caste and engage In what was then con-
sidered the humblest OF occupations, the
growing of potatoes. cabbage apd small
fruits. With splendid markets. this In
Sdustry prospered and grew, and when
the placers We're exhausted a thriving
farming community remained to deyel-
op these permanent resources Oh me
valley
But little OF the "Klondyke' of 1864
remains. Its disappolntmcnts and law
ish rewards. It's restitution and reckless
prodigallty are things Of the past. To-
day II Is difficult to realize that this
valley was one Of the famous theaters
where reckless and daring spirits were
the principal actors and where only thn
iittest survived Unlike many OF the
Klondykes which have had their day
during the past GO years this valley
provided for thtoverilow. and the spirit
of enterprise which prompted thousands
TO brave all dangers In the search OF
gold. found a field here for the exercise
~ surplus energy I'm the construction
Of canals and the reclamation Of the
lands In adjacent valleys.
Like the Mormon" farmers. the early
tillers OF The Boise valley found lrri-
cation necessary. ard since the first
crude efforts nearly $4,000 600 have been
expended in the construction OF irriga-
ton works. and more than 100000 acres
of land have hcen reclaimed.
substantial cities and towns have
grown up. railroads cross the valley in
every direction ana from $50 900 20
$40. 600 600 have been added to the pro
ductiye capital Of the west But the
limit for private enterprise has been
reached The natural'0ow Of the river
has been fully utilized. and 1t Is only by
the construction Of engineering works
enormously expensive that the complete
agricultural development Of the coun-
try can take place. The only agency
which can safely undertake this great
work Is the United States With COM
mendable enterprise the owners OF land
In the valley have harmonized al cues
lions OF conflicting water rights and ate
now preparing TO cooperate heartily
with the government In carrying for
ward 'Nhat Is termed the Payette-Botse
project. the largest OF the national rec
lamation works which has yet been ap-
proved by the secretary of the Interior.
LARGER THAN THE SALT LAKE
VALLEY.
The construction of this great system
will require several years and entails
the expenditure of nearly SS,OOO,0OO. The
area to be reclaimed is 100000 acres,
or more than twice the cultivated
acreage of Rhode Island. The works
consist Of storage reservoirs on the
headwaters Of the Payette and Boise
rivers. and in the Boise valley the build
ing II gigantic dams on these two riv-
ers ana about 200 miles Of main canals.
The secretary has authorized the inl-
tial construction OF a dam IN Boise rlv'
er. about 80 miles Of main canal, and
reservoir which VIII be capable of stor-
ing water enough for the late irrigation
of about 900 acres If land in Boise
valley.
The bids were opened AT Boise, Ida,
on Feb. 1905, and the contracts pro-
vide for the expenditure by the United
States of about 81 600 COO The Boise val
ley now has population Of
about $4,000 1t contains 80 per
cent more lrrigable land and has
a more favorable climate than the great
Salt Lake valley Of Utah, which today
sustains population of about 10000.
GUY T.. MITCHELL,