The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1910-10-14

IKE character In the state.
Ada and Canyon counties, Idaho,
were selected for the purpose OF
studying to what extent the county
system of consolidation is adapted to
the local conditions peculiar to irri-
gated lands. The older and irrigat-
ed portions of both counties are at |
present organized into school dis |
tricts averaging about seven square
miles in area and are maintaining an
excellent system of rural schools and
several high schools; other portions,
pl actically desert" land, are as yet
unorganized. Considerable tracts of
irrigable agricultural lands in both
counties have been thrown open for
settlement by the United States rec
lamation service and by a number of
private corporations. Re-districtinS
plans were made for both counties
providing them with tentative plan
of consolidation-a plan which, ii
adopted, may hereafter be modified
in minor details, but whose general
adaptability to the local conditions
is attested by collaborating residents
and county officials.
The agricultural and inhabited
sections OF these counties are topo-
graphically a series Of levels at dit
ferent altitudes-the extensive and
level bottom lands, and at some dis
lance above them plateaus called
bench lands, from which tho surface
again rises gently to high unirrigable
lands above the level of the water
supply. The bluffs bordering the
bench lands and the canyon-lik2
banks of the river constitute to some
extent natural divisions and bound
aries Of the present school districts,
and in the larger consolidated dis
tricts would be a yet more important
factor.
These high-priced, irrigated lands
are by nature only suited to, and b.
human design intended for, intensive
specialized agriculture. A system Of
consolidated schools once established
here would naturally evolve into con
solidated farm schools, with voca-
tional high school courses for rural
children. Several consolidated
schools have been suggested for dis
tricts not at present settled. This
anticipation of settlement was necea-
sary in order to render the idea O.
county consolidation complete.
Projected Consolidation in Adj
County.
Location, agricultural section Of
state; area of county, 1,179 squar,
miles. Population in 1900, 1904!
| composed of natives from nearly
all states of the Union and small
proportion of foreign-born imml
grants. Agriculture, confined t
, high-priced irrigated land, is inten
sive and diversified. Fruit, of whic!
) great variety is produced, is tn
, leading industry. Alfalfa, three an
Z often four crops being cut annually
is extensively cultivated. Cereals
! mostly oats, cover considerable
< areas. Sugar beets are a leadin
: money crop. The livestock inter
ests on the irrigated lands are IL
l creasing, many pure-breed herds be
4 ing owned. Dairying is beginnin
: to receive attention.
: This project contemplates 13 col
/ solidated schools, one of which is
e Joint school with Canyon count!
: In six of the districts, namely II
a ", V, VI, TX, and XXI, immediat
) consolidation would be PRACTICABLE
+ and one of the first results wouI
g be that a large number of eight
l. grade graduates would continue
l the high school courses of the CO
y solidated schools, and the numb
Il of rural pupils attending his
e schools would probably rise to Is
At present the city high schools,
II which tho rural population Is d
e. pendent for secondary educatio
Of enroll 56 rural pupils, or only l
cent of the rural school populatio
The electric road could be advanta
eously used for tho conveyance
numbers of pupils to school,
\ A district with It's center at ku
D was organized in tho fall of 10
and is almost identical with the &C
- solidated district outlined on
Il map. At present school is bel
Al conducted in tent; later 1t will
|, transferred to rented building,
J remain there until increase of pr
ulation and taxable wealth
y make possible the erection of c.
n solidated school building.
ss.j Projected Consolidation In Can!