The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-07-10
DRY FARMING NEAR AMERICAN
FALLS. ~

American Falls, June 30.-One
field Of 800 acres of wheat averaged
90 1-2 bushels to the acre last year
on dry land" The Campbell system
Of soil packing being employed in
this case, which, wherever followed
out, is universally successful. In a
wet spring such as this has been
many farmers thought 1t not neces-
sary or desirable, but results show
differently. Take for an example the
farm Of A. H. Ruth, where several
acres OF rye are being grown, It'll s
all looking fine, but the patch where
the soil packing was operative is far
better than the other, much of the
rye measuring five feet in height.
The large dry farms are operated
comparatively, in some instances,
very profitably. The farmers buy a
traction engine and gang plows,
where the acreage is sufficient, thus
materially reducing the expenses in
cident to putting the land in condi-
ton for crops. One farmer here last
year planted large acreage in wheat
for feed, it being planted late in
June, later in the season the stand
being SO promising it was decided to
harvest it, which was done, and on
threshing the yield was from five to
20 bushels to the acre, making an
average crop of about 12 bushels an
acre for the entire field.
The largest yield reported last
year was As bushels of wheat per
acre. This was grown by G. w. Arm
of Arbon. There are about 35 or
40 families in the Arbon settlement
all successfully dry farming, and
their average crops of wheat will run
in excess of Is bushels an acre.
Planting Fruit Trees.
Much fruit has been planted in the
territory tributary to American Falls
the Bonanza Bar ranch having 20
acres in apples. w. S. Alvord is plant
ings 80 acres to fruit, mostly winter
apples. Some peaches, pears and april
cots are being planted for CONNER
cial purposes on this place.
Andrew May of Rockland, is also
one of the many ranchers that have
faith in this as being afruit country,
and is demonstrating it by planting
a 40-acre apple orchard. He has 1900 /
crafts now growing which will be
tranplanted next spring. Mr.. May is
familiar with the resources and posi-
bilities of this part of the state, hav-
ing resided here for many years II
His planting so large an orchard
shows conclusively what he thinks of
the possibility of this section as a
successful fruit country. In addition
he is carrying on quite extensive ex-
periments in the propogating of
peaches, prunes and other fruits.
Fine Grain Crop.
Mr. May says that the oats crop
this year will be very large and that
1t will require no irrigation. Not only
oats, but grain of all kinds was never
more promising, and larger yield
is looked for this year than ever be-
fore.
Land sales are of almost daily oc-
currence, prices growing steadily
higher. There have been several .
pieces of Carey land sold recently, r
The bonus ranging from IS to $25 per
acre.
Canal Completed.
The completion of the low line ca
nal of the American Falls Canal &
Power company last week was hailed !
with joy by the settlers in the terri
,ory tributary to it.
Where the low line leaves the ca
lal there is drop of 80 feet. This q
s overcome by a concrete spillway /
which carries enough water to supply D
canal 80 feet wide and four feet
leep. This is one of the finest and ii
most substantial pieces of work to "
'e found any place and one on which n
10 repairs will have to be made for :,
many years. W
Part of the land under the system Fl
vas supplied last year by temper
ry diversion canal, but the larger :,
art has been without any water. b.
This will bring into cultivation D
yer $4,000 acres of new land imme- -
lately tributary to American Falls =,
nd means much to the place. b
Electric Railway. p
new electric railway line has IL
cen proposed to run from here to d
Aberdeen, which will eventually be =
xtended east as development of the
ountry tributary will warrant. The E,
latter is now ins the hands of the gt
commercial club and is meeting with u
Onu1qr annr0vol a o1r,xnS&k1~ - -