The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1907-02-08

distances every other portion of
the union in the yield of wheat.
| dare not give figures, which are
really SO marvellous as to read
like a bit of romance. Suffice
it to say that the Idaho of the
north is a bit of the worlds area
whose glory will never be over
stated. The day is not far distant
when this entire district will be a
network of electric railroads radi
ating from Spokane.
"The chief area of Idaho, how
ever, is south of the inland empire
in the inter-mountain empire,
which has been the heart of the
sage brush desert. Such a sight
as it has been. For the first time
| am allowing my pen to praise
this desert region, for the first
time | appreciate its possibilities.
"One instance samples the con-
ditlons which have but begun to
appear. Twelve years ago a
friend of mine for many years, a
woman teacher, married a tele.
graph operator, and, pooling their
moderate savings, went to the
sage brush country where there
was water for irrigation. They
bought AZ acres of sage brush, in
GLIDING water rights for $40 an
acre, a total of $500. They pro-
ceeded to build a small, comfort
able home, and put five acres in
to vegetables upon which to live.
The next year they planted 5000
apple trees. Within three years
two little ones came to their home
In five years they began to sell
apples, more and more each year,
until this year they sold $4,000
bushels of apples and 5000 gall
ems of cider. They have been Of
fered $500 an acre for a part of
their orchard and have declined it
because they know they will get
more. The increase in the value
of their place has been more than
$50, 900, while the annual profit
has come to be a luxury. This is
an actual experience of one family
1t is typical of what many have
experienced. A little capital,
ability to wait five or six years, a
love of hard work and a purpose
to take care of ones orchard are
essential to success.
"Now for the first time, there
to be abundant water for the
reclamation of the vast area of
sage brush. Near Boise, the
quiet metropolis and capital of the
state, there is to be a huge natl
onal reservoir, costing ultimately
Sill, 900, 900 and when this is
and kindred irrigation sche-
are perfected there need not
De an acre of the great sage brush
desert that is not radiant with
bloom in May and laden with ap-
)les IN autumn.-and such apples.
Internationally, Idaho is admit
ably appointed. The school laws
ire in every way modern. The
tate is but IS years of age, and
'very provision has been intelli-
made by disinterested off,
"The superintendent of public
Instruction, Miss Belle Chamber
ain, has a salary of $2400, which
outs to shame many of the older
itates in the union, and she is
IGNORED with many official cour-
estes and opportunities.
"There are in Idaho II, 0
700 acres of agricultural lands
0, 1000, 900 acres of grazing lands
20, 900, 900 acres of timber, and
1000, 600 of mineral lands. The
Justification of grazing and agri-
cultural lands was made before
he provision Of national aid to
irrigation.
"The State University of Idaho
t Moscow has 2S6, 0o0 acres of
lands. The normal schools
t Lewiston and Albion have So
100 acres each. The Academy of
IDAHO at Pocatello has 40, 900 and
he industrial school at St. Anth-
my 40, 0 acres. These are
grants, and in addition the
tate has for various ocbooI INV