Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1914-05-22
SOIL LEADS ALL
IN FERTILITY
Prof. Shaw Speaks in Great Praise Of
the Agricultural Possibilities Of
the Kootsnai Valley
ONLY NEED IS TO BE DRAINED
Da That and Il Would Be Difficult to
ovsrssiimats lis Value

Spokane, Prof. Thos. Shaw, agri-
expert for the Great North
ern Railway company, speaks in
glowing terms of the agricultural
possibilities of the Kootenai valley.
He saws, Once provide drainage
for this land and it would not be
easy to over estimate its value"
The letter follows:
In the valley of the Kootenai
river between Boomers Ferry and
the Canadian boundary are some
80, 200 acres of valley land which
are subject to annual inundation
from the overflow waters of the
river. One peculiarly unfortunate
condition pertaining to the sub
mergence of this land is the season
of the year at which it comes, more
commonly in late June and july,
30 late that it is not possible to SOW
any grain crops that will mature
the same season. A second condi-
ton equally unfortunate is the
depth of the submergence and its
continuity. Some seasons the
overflow submerges much of the
land to the depth of several feet,
and the water covers the land
usually for several weeks. This
means that no kind of cultivated
crop planted before the time of the
submergence can continue to live
The amount of similar overflow
land on the Canadian side is even
greater.
The cause of the overflow is
The impounding of the water of the
river in the Kootenai Lake, which
is river lake. The cause of the
impounding of the water is largely
filled channel some FIVE miles in
length which prevents the waters
from flowing out with sufficient
quickness into the Columbia river.
The remedy is the lowering of the
outlet by dredging to an extent
that will prevent the impounding
of the waters. Some estimates
make the charge for such dredging
at $1,000 per acre for the reclaim
able land, other estimates have
placed it higher. However, it is an
international question and to
accomplish it the sanction of both
governments would probably have
to be secured.
The soil is silt that has been
carried down from higher levels.
On digging down into it several
| feet, no change could be noticed
by the eye in its composition.
Beyond all question it is possessed
of great fertility and of great
wearing power. Owing to its
mechanical condition it could sus-
tain the deepest rooted plants as
alfalfa. 1t should produce several
crops of this great forage plant
every season and for an almost
indefinite period without fertiliza-
ton. 1t would produce crops of
clover of all the useful kinds in
great luxuriance, also timothy,
orchard grass, rye grass, meadow
fescue, red top and Kentucky blue
grass. Permanent pastures could
thus be laid down that would equal
the best of those in England, not
only in productivity but also in
permanence. This land would
grow any of the kinds of grain
produced in temperate climates.
The only danger that could arise
would be injury from an excess of
straw 1t would grow such forage
crops as corn, millet and kindred
crops excellently we'll, and would
also produce enormous crops of
potatoes. 1t would also be a para
disc for small fruits and larger
varieties should it be desired to
grow them. Once provide drain
for this land and it would not be
easy to over estimate its value. 4"