The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-04-04
DRY FARMING IN IDAHO.

The annual precipitation in aorth-
ern Idaho exceeds 25 inches which
is sufficient for every-year cropping.
In southern Idaho, however the pre-
cipitation rarely amounts to 20 in
ches and usually less than l 3 inches.
Here, alternate summer following to
store moisture in the soil is nee
essity and farming without irriga-
ton is strictly dry farming. In the
foothills there is occasionally under
ground supply of moisture to supple
ment the natural rainfall.
The annual precipitation In Idaho
ranges from to so inches. In the
, Panhandle it ranges from % to
20 ncnes. Continuous grain grown
on summer fallowed land has been
the general practice in that region.
The rainfall, however is sufficient for
every year cropping and the more
progressive farmers are now grow
| ing corn or potatoes on the summer
fallow. Central Idaho has an aver
age of 20 inches. 1t is very noun
tainious country, yet there is consid-
erably dry farming in the valleys and
on plateaus. In the foothills in
southern Idaho the precipitation
ranges from - to 120 inches and
dry farming here is very successful.
The Snake river plains extend from
east to west across the state, as a
rudely-shaped area, concave to the
north. Numerous valleys extend into
the mountains from these plains and
It is chiefly in these valleys and mar
row strips of plains bordering the
mountains that there is any consid-
cradle dry farming. The soil varies
greatly in the arid portion of Ida
no. The mountain valleys have a
rich alluvial soil. Here yields of 40
bushels of wheat and so bushels Of
oats are not uncommon and in a
few instances a yield of tons of al
falfa has been cut the first year.
There are also instances of good Or
chards producing excellent fruit with
out irrigation, but thorough cultiva-
ton is practiced. The soil near the
mountains is generally slightly sandy,
handles we'll and makes an efficient
dust mulch. The conditions here are
more favorable than on the open
plains. both as regards texture OF
soil and abundance of moisture. Of
ten the water table is sufficiently
near to the surface to furnish mois-
ture to the roots of crops. With this
supply in addition to the rainfall an
, abundance of moisture is assured. In
Oneida county dry farming has been
practiced extensively for 20 years.
This county alone has $4,000 acres
under cultivation and farming there
is quite profitable though the average
annual precipitation is but 10 inches
On the open plains of the western
part of the Snake river valley dry
farming is not so successful. Occas
ionally areas of deep soil suitable
for dry farming occur but those who
have attempted operation here have
not found results as good as in thu
; foothills.
The plains extending from Hager
- man to American Falls have a ella,
:, loan of wind blown origin the deposi
having considerable depth and an ex
: cellent soil. The rainfall in thi
district is from 8 to II inches ant
the wheat crop under dry farming
systems is from to 25 bushels pc
, acre. Near American Falls there arr
several ranches of several THOUSAND
acres each, the land being plowed
seeded and narrowed in one opera
ton by the steam outfits. Judging b,
what has already been accomplish
8 ed, a large portion of the Snake rive
plains will in time be under cultiva
;. ton.
In every locality where there is con
,. siderable dry farming will be foun
5. few progressive men who pursu
5. good methods of handling the sol
In general however, there Is grea
q room for improvement. The chic
- fault is that no attention is paid
the consideration of moisture. tn
N summer fallow is left commonly
lie rough as the pillow leaves it. Goo
ID yields are often secured with crud
le methods, which indicates that wit
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