The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-09-12
Become Part of Project.

tree water tor lyZu.
Become Part of Project.
Lands purchased from the state will
become part of the Gem Irrigation
district on equal terms with the
privately owned lands by signing an
agreement to share the proportionate
cost of the system. This cost is COW
cred by bond issue by the district Of
about $850,OO or equivalent to about
$50 per acre for the 900 acres under
the project.
Lands under the project which will
be offered for sale have been conserva-
lively appraised at from $40 to SOS
per acre. Terms of the sale are easy.
One-tenth of the purchase price and
the first years interest ON deferred
payments is due in cash on the day of
the sale. On leased land where the
property is improved, an appraisement
has been made of the improvements
and that, too, will be cash on the day
of the sale. All the remainder that is
due is payable in 40 annual install
ments with interest at 6 per cent.
Pump Water From River.
Water for the land under the canal
is provided by big pumping plant
drawing its supply from the mex
haustible Snake river. Assessments
tor water, on an acre basis, have been
comparatively high. In 1918, they ran
$ll.7O. But this is more than offset
by the enormous yields of hay, clover
seed, potatoes and grain that are an
nually produced in that section. AL
falfa yields of 10 and IL tone per acre
are reported and many authentic in
stances are recorded where but little
less than this has been actually sold
by measure from Gem district lands.
This years hay crop in the Gem dis
trict, according to estimates, will bring
farmers of that section more than
81 100000
The Gem Irrigation district has
been in operation for six years. The
appearance of the crops speaks for
the adequacy of the water supply.
Snake river, 1000 feet wide and many
feet deep at the pumping station, and
the capacity of the pumping plant is
the only limitation to the amount of
water that may be used. All the water
the pumps will handle is available
throughout the irrigation season. Ar
engagements have been made for the
installation of two new pumps which
Will largely increase the present
capacity of the plants.
Fine Pumping Plant
The irrigation plant consist of two
weil-equipped and splendidly con-
structed pumping plants and we'll
system of canals and lat
erals to convey the water from the
station to the land. A de-
.oiled description of the irrigation sys-
.em and specific information as to the
water service and rights may be had
ipon application to ]. H. Lowell, man
lger of the district, at Caldwell. idaho.
,r at the offices of the district at Cald
veil or Homedale, Idaho.
Assessments for maintenance, bet
erments and bonds for recent years
lave been as follows: For 1916, $40
,er acre; for 1917, 1852 per acre; for
9iS, $ll.70 per acre. The fact that
water must bepumped will keep the
charges higher than
ravity projects, but there are compen- :
ating advantages, namely: Water
upply not affected by dry years; +
Of conditions favorable to
maximum crop production = ample
gater supply, fertile soil, long grow
ng season. When all the lands are !
rought under irrigation, the cost of \
yater will be reduced by distributing \
ne overhead charges to "a larger y
creage.
Considerable Interest Aroused. !
Considerable interest has already :
cen manifest in the sale and bidding !,
DR. the better land offered is expected :
be spirited. Many enquiries are al :
eady coming in from various sections '
southern Idaho and the prediction
made that many outsidei purchasers \
,ill be at Homedale to participate in y
ne purchase of state property. =
Homedale, at the lower end of the !,
istrict, is the terminal of steam rail !.
pad running up the river from Nyssa. !
oregon. This route has been sur :.
eyed to traverse the entire district =
'hich, when completed, will tap the =
ntire agricultural area under cuItiva- y
on. In addition, good roads are pro 4
ided to accessible towns in CANYON y
ounty and Snake river will be bridged =
vice this summer to accommodate :.