The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-09-10
COMING FAST
Homeseekers Are Arriving Daily to
BE on Hand for the Opening
Of the Big Project

nomeseekers are Arriving DAILY 10
Be on Hand for the Opening
Of the Big Project
Arco, Idaho Sept. 6-This has come
to be the "Arco Country" although
the irrigation project which is serv-
ing to give it wide range Of adver.
Using is that Of the Big Lost River
Irrigation company.
Secretary of Agricultural Wilson,
who passed through here Wednesday
morning and afternoon, gave the
country that name, and It will stick.
Wednesday was a rainy day and
spoiled the plans of the secretary,
who intended to go with party over
portions Of the Lemhi forest resrve
In automobiles. Instead an informal
reception and meeting with stock
men and miners was held at Mackay
between trains.
A number of Arco citizens met the
secretary of agricultural at Black
foot, accompanying him on the trip
up the valley Vice president Speer
of the Trowbridge & Niver company
of Chicago, who financed the big irri-
cation scheme, was on the train, and
at the request of the secretary point
ed out the lands to be watered next
season and explained the plans of the
company.
The conversation between the big
farmer politician and the big finan-
cier was public, and the passengers
gathered around the seats and "but-
ted I'M to the games as interested list
eners. Secretary Wilson is all that
his critics have painted him, but just
the same he Ia the goods-iarge, we'll
made, well preserved, vigorous, ac-
tive, strong, rs years young, occupy
ing common day coach, surrounded
by farmers, though cabinet minister
in the greatest country on earth, he
was at home among people of his
kind, for he was one of them.
When Mr.. Speer explained to the
secretary that work was begun on
construction of the reservoir the first
of June, and that the dam and canals
would be completed to furnish water
to the $4,000 acres of Carey act land
to be opened to settlement September
IA by May /, next, the secretary look
ed a bit incredulous, but when con-
WINGED that this would be done, he
was amazed at the rapidity, and COM
pared the rush Of private enterprise
to some OF the experience in govern
ment reclamation,
The beautiful lying country was a
source Of much surprise to his agri-
cultural eye, and the quality of soil
caused much favorable comment. He
asked the farmers what kind of crops
they raised and their success with diff
terent grains, grasses, forage plants
and fruits.
"The government" he said, lis
spending $4,000 this year in expert
ment stations, teaching the farmers
what is best for them to raise to Sc
cure the most profitable results.
These stations are scattered over the
country, in different locations, var
ious attitudes, working under differ
ent conditions, but getting the results
most beneficial to the farmers.
This is essentially new country
and there will necessarily be a good
deal of experimenting before the peo-
pie learn what the soil and climate is
best adapted to. You should have a
station here, and / am in favor of
giving 1t to YOU see the results
you have secured in the little farms
the settlers have made with their own
bitches, but all this can be doubled
when you know better what to do and
how to do it, and you have brought
this immense scope Of country under
one great system of irrigation
works"
Mr.. Speer asked the secretary how
much land he needed for an expert
ment station, saying that the COM
pany would gladly furnish the site for
a government farm. Mr.. Wilson told
him to write letter referring to the
conversation and he would take the
matter up officially when he returned
to Washington and do what was
necessary to the end desired.
1T is a part of the work of my
department" said the secretary, ito
do what we can to aid the farmers in
a practical way with the result of our
experiments, and you are so far re-
moved from any station we now have
that conditions should be studied by
our scientists on the ground, and
what is true in other localities might
not apply here. From what / can see
and learn of what is being done in a
crude way, some wonderful results
are possible when full advantage in
the way of soil, climate and sun
shine
An average of so land prospectors
are coming to Arco every day to
cruise the land and gather the infor-
nation necessary to make intelligent
filings on the day of the drawing.
The news that the agricultural de-
partment would establish govern
ment farm on the tract gave an added
interest to the landseekers, for with
such an institution to give instruc-
ton, no one need to be afraid to
tackle an irrigated farm.