American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1907-11-02
STATE HAS BIG DRY FARM.
Files on $4,000 Acres in BinshAn N
County and Leases TO Settlers.

Dry farming in the southeast is re-
ceiving new impetus through the ac-
tion Of the state Land board in selecting
some very choice lands that are being
leased to large companies. George A.
Day, the state land selector, has spent
considerable time during the summer in
Bingham county, where four tracts of
the best government land have been Sc
lected by him and appropriated by the
state. The first tract selected By Mr..
Day consists of 5000 acres. located
SOUTH of Heise's hot springs. between
Birch creek and the south fork of Snake
river. II miles from Idaho Falls.
The land, Mr.. Day said. is smooth.
with deep, rich soil-the equal Of the
best in the state. The entire tract has
been leased TO a recently formed dry
farm corporation which will soon have
the entire 5000 acres under cultivation.
The company for starter has already
put in 1000 acres of fall wheat and will
put in 1000 acres of barley next spring
Fine equipment, including a traction
engine, with II gang plows. was pur-
chased and used successfully in clear
ing. blowing and putting in the wheat.
IL the fall wheat turns out as well as
expected the entire farm. the largest in
all Idaho, will be placed under cultiya-
tion in another year.
The company has established q well
equipped experiment station on the
farm where all kinds of grains. grasses
and potatoes will be planted, in order
that knowledge may be gained as to
what will grow the most successfully
and be the most profitable for extensive
cultivation.
The land has been leased 10 the COM
pany for term of five years at the
rate ef 10 cents per acre per annum,
subject, however, to sale at any time
that purchaser NAV be found who
wishes TO buy. The low rental was fix
ed by the board for the purpose Of en-
couraging dry farming, which, it is be-
lieyed. will in few years make the
land very valuable.
Although dry frming is something
of an experiment in that section. Mr..
Day said he was certain from his know
ledge Of the country and from success
attained in Oneida county that it would
be highly successful in that section.
He was very enthusiastic over the pros
poets in Bingham and said that county
would soon rank with the best in the
state.
The second tract selected for the
state by MIR. Day consists of $500
acres south of Birch creek and is equal.
ly as level and fertile as the first selee.
ton. The irrigation farmers residing
in the vicinity of the land have banded
together and leased the tract on the
same terms as that given on the first.
They have put in large acreage of
fall wheat and Mr.. Day said they were
very confident of making big success
of their venture
A third tract recently selected and
filed on by the state is located in the
same county near the head of Willow
creek, Is miles southeast of Idaho Falls.
1t is described by Mr.. Day as a choice
body of land embracing little over
seven sections. The land board has
been in correspondence with parties
who desire to lease it and Mr. Day left
yesterday afternoon for Bingham coun-
ty to close the deal.
The last selection made is $500 acres
eight miles east of Idaho Falls.
II The entire selections in Bingham
county amounts to about $1,000 acres.
all Of which. it is believed. will be un-
der cultivation within another year. =
Boise Statesman.