The Blackfoot optimist., 1916-11-30
Reservation Farm Lands
Attracting Much Attention

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For some time past considerable in
terest has been shown in the Indian
land proposition, on the Fort Hall
tract, where exceptionally attractive
tracts may be leased under favorable
terms. A considerable area has already
been secured by local parties, and good
opportunity is presented anyone inter-
csted in agricultural affairs, and hardly
day passes but parties visit the vari-
GUS allotments Every application
should be made to the superintendent at
Fort Hall, who states that Indications
point to the speedy leasing of most Of
the desirable land. The accompanying
map shows the location Of the tracts,
and the following information taken
from the statement of Superintendent
Horton H. Miller, clearly explains the
project and gives the plan for leas-
ing:
There is no agricultural district in
the United States which offers so many
opportunities to the farmer, who is
looking for a chance to better his con-
dition, as the Fort Hall Indian Reser-
walton, Fort, Hall, Idaho. 1t is located
in the celebrated Snake River valley,
in the Southeastern part Of the State,
in Bannock, Bingham and Power coun-
ties. The main lines of the Oregon
Short Line railroad cross the reserva-
ton from north to south and from east
to west. Pocatello, the "Gate City,
with a population of $4,000, is located
twelve miles south of Fort Hall and sew
ell miles from the southern boundary of
the reservation, and Blackfoot, with a
population of $500, is twelve miles from
river, which is the northern boundary
of the reservation. There are excel
lent school and church advantages and
splendid markets for all farm products
at both places. The Fort Hall Irriga-
tion~system lies along the road between
these two places, and, for that reason,
is ideally located. .e
"The climatic conditions here are
exceptionally good. The summers are
delightful and the winters are not disa-
greeable. It is neither too hot nor too
cold. The temperature ranges from
about 10 degrees below zero in win
ter to 90 degrees above in summer.
The altitude at Fort Hall Agency is
4444 feet, and the snowfall in the
ply Of water for irrigation. There is
an average of rainfall of 10 inches at
the Agency, and greater rainfall in
the nearby mountains.
"The soil possesses unequallcd quail
ties of fertility and productiveness. II
is Yakima loan, ranging from a gray
ish to a brownish color from two to six
feet deep, underlain with a gravelly
loan. The new and lighter type is
ashy in appearance, while that which
has been in cultivation few years il
brown and loamy. 1t is easily titled. il
loose and will not bake readily afte
irrigation.
"The water supply for irigation i
unlimited, the source being a reservoi
having capacity of 100000 acre feet
which collects the flood water of tn
Rlackfoot river, and decreed right o
10000 inches from the Snake river
This makes it possible for the projec
to deliver three acre feet per acre pc
annum, which is in excess of the amour
required to produce any crop in thi
locality.
The irrigation system is completed
and any portion of the project may b
easily reached from the canals an
numerous laterals. Water is delivere
under the rotation system, and is avail
able to use from April 18th to Octobe
18th. Wells may be easily dug, drille
or driven through the loose strata o
loam, gravel and clay, the water plan
varying in depth from thirty to on
hundred feet below the surface of tn
ground. The quality of the water i
very good for stock and domestic pu,
poses.
This land will produce abundantl
wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, suga
p beets, alfalfa. clover, peas and othe
forage and seed crops; all kinds of vcgc
tables grow in this zone; apples, pear: