Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-11-14
BIG PRODUCTION
OF farm CROPS
Report of Work on the Mini
doka Project for Octo-
Der Is Given.
Capital News Special service.)

Rupert, Nov. IA summary of the
work and conditions on the Minidoka
project for the month Of october has
been issued by Barry Dibble, project
manager The summary follows:
Harvesting was in progress during
nearly the entire month, potatoes and
sugar beets being the main crops
handled, although a part of the third
cutting of alfalfa was put in the stack,
Shipments of farm products were
heavy, the principal items including
81 cars of alfalfa, 56 of wheat, 242 of
potatoes, 204 of sugar beets, 81 of
sugar 1917 of livestock and IL mis-
eellaneous, making a total of 742 cars.
The prices received have been, in most
cases, the highest ever known. AL
falfa was quoted at $11 per ton,
wheat $3.50 per cwt., potatoes $2.40 per
cwt, sugar beets s5.75 per ton, and
other crops in proportion.
A preliminary estimate indicates
that the crops on the project amount
in value to nearly 100000, or nearly
as much as the governments invest
ment on the Minidoka project.
THE WEATHER NORMAL.
The weather was generally normal
and favorable for outdoor work. Rain
fall was rather heavy in the early part
of the month, amounting to 1885 inches.
The runoff in Snake river amounted
to 476,000 acre-f feet.
An auction sale was held on Oct. 81,
at which all but two of the govern
ment driving horses and large
amount of other property was dis
posed of. The amount realized was
nearly $500.
improvements on the farms are nu-
merous and extensive. The towns,
too, are growing steadily. In Rupert,
the new hotel is nearing completion,
the court house and other buildings
are we'll under way, many new side
walks have been built and the water
works system enlarged. In Burley, the
new flour mill is up to the fifth
story, and several other important
buildings are under construction. The
new cheese factory at Paul was put
in operation. 1t is expected that work
on the new sugar factory near Paul
will begin soon.
Investigations were made relative to
a replatting of portion of the town.
site of Hepburn. The request for a
sale of town lots at Acequia was ap-
proved. a board of appraisers was ap-
pointed and plans were perfected to
hold a sale on Nov. "a. Most of the
last to be sold is in acreage tracts,
for which there Is apparently a good
demand.
The bridge across the main canal at
the dam was about half completed, and
few small structures were erected
both on the gravity and pumping units.
sidewalk was built along the Of
flee grounds at Rupert.
Water was turned out of the canals
on the gravity unit on Oct. Z, at the
request of the directors OF the irriga-
ton district in order that the canals
might be PIT in as good condition as
possible by cleaning before they are
turned over to the settlers. The ca
nails were filled from one to three feet
with sand. Much of this was washed
from the banks of the main canals by
the high winds of the early summer.
On the south side pumping unit the
directors ef the Water Users associa-
ton voted to keep water in the main
canals for stock purposes. as long as
1t is practicable to operate the pumps.
with the understanding that time be
taken in the spring for cleaning. On
this unit cleaning has been confined
to laterals but 1t is planned to clean
the canal in November. Many small
structures were repaired. The power
system has operated with a rapidly in
| creasing demand for electric heat
brought on by cool weather during the
month.
Men and teams have been hard to
get on account of building activity,
the pressure of farm work and the
general prosperity of the project.
Wages have been raised from $2.25 to
$3.50 for laborers and from $3.50 to
81 for four-horse outfits All men
available at these rates have been
used.
-
r.