Gilpin observer., 1909-05-13
MASTERS OF THEIR DESTINY.
Why Idaho Farmers are Indifferent
to Varying Weather Conditions.

Mr.. G. B. HURT, of Boise, Idaho,
commissioner to the St. Louis Expo
sition from Idaho, while in Chicago
recently, in conversation with a num-
Der OF newspaper men, brought out
with great clearness one of the rea-
sons why Idaho has succeeded so
wonderfully in developing its irrigat-
ed lands. In the course OF conversa-
tion on western affairs, Mr.. HURT ex-
pressed the belief that Idaho was
growing as no other western state
had ever grown.
Not only is our population in
creasing rapidly" he said, but the
increase of our material wealth is
proportionately very much greater"
This is accounted for, in large
part, because the Idaho farmer on
irrigated lands is the master of his
own destiny He can supply moisture
to growing crops at just the time and
in just the quantity needed to secure
perfect results. The growing season
with him is one of almost perpetual
sunshine, with the air so dry and
warm that plant life appears to de-
light in the opportunity for growth.
Where farmers depend upon rainfall
for sufficient moisture to insure de-
velopment of vegetation, rains may
come a day or week too soon or
too late, and crop may be lost. AS
a matter Of fact it is almost impos-
sible to imagine a perfect season for
the farmer who is dependent upon
rainfall. With the farmer on irri-
gated lands the very reverse is true.
From seed time to harvest he makes
his own conditions. Moisture is fur
nished to plant life on the very day
and hour when most beneficial, in
exactly the right quantity, and 1t is
withdrawn at precisely the right time.
1t is not to be wondered at then,
that where fine lands in the rainbelt
produce crops of grain varying from
similar lands in irrigated Idaho are
producing from so to 110 bushels an
acre."
ITO carry this argument a little
further" said Mr.. Hurtt, 1--WE will
suppose that an IS bushel crop per
acre of wheat will pay the most of
o,,I IN int
charge on the investment. Any great
er yield is regarded as almost en-
tirely profit. Then the farmer in
Iowa or Kansas whose wheat aver
ages % bushels an acre may say that
his land is earning him from five to
seven bushels an acre annually, be-
sides furnishing him employment.
The cultivator Of irrigated lands in
Idaho, with a crop Of 40 bushels Of
wheat to the acre, Is also furnished
employment, and his land is earning
him from 20 to 90 bushels an acre af-
ter paying all the costs of producing
and marketing the crops"
"With these as premises it is not
astonishing that acreage in irrigated
Idaho is advancing in price so that
5000 and 5000 an acre is paid for
large tracts, nor need any great sur
prise be felt when the statement is
made that farmers engaged in the
production of alfalfa seed in the low
er or Wood River Valley last year
reaped a profit of approximately 500
an acre.
Idaho possesses a decided ad-
vantage over the other arid states
in the development of its desert
lands, through it's state laws. Dur
ing the past four years nearly a
million acres of enormously rich lands
have been reclaimed by irrigation, un
der the direct supervision of the stat
land board. These lands have beer
settled on by several thousands o.
American families, and what was 6
desert waste, without value in 1904
has since been given present value
of $4,000, 900 and value in the i'm
mediate future of 100000 900.
"The state is still engaged in thu
work of making of the desert gar
den. Early in June this year the stat
land board will throw open to entr.
under the Carey act, $4,000 acres O
rich land comprising the Dietricl
tract. Immediately east of Shoshon
on the main line of the Oregon Shor
Line. These lands will be irrigate
by the Idaho Irrigation company,w
headquarters at Boise. Idaho. Th
company is now engaged in the cor
struction. under state supervision. c