Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-11-11
Reclaim Arid
Areas of West

reclamation projects proper-gross re-
turns Of vegetable products-were
about $4,000, 600.
1.-The Salt River valley in Arizona
Illustrates well the results of irrlga-
ton development, based OH the federal
work. The Salt river project Is In
Maricopa county, surrounding the city
Of Phoenix. capital of Arizona. Ac-
cording to the census data n other
reliable statistics, about the time the
reclamation act became law the
mately 5000 and that Of Maricopa
county $1,000, while the taxable value
of property in the county was $9,OOO,-
600.
"In 1920, the population of Phoenix
had reached $4,000. that of MaricOpa
county $4,000, while the taxable value
of property In the county was close
to $780, OO, 200, or more than ten times
what 1t was when the reclamation
act was passed. These results are at
tributable mainly to irrigation devel-
opment by the United States. In ma
ture, that country was distinctly arid.
with rainfall wholly insufficient for
any cultivation.
1.-THE main staple product FIVE or ten
years ago was alfalfa, coupled with
dairying. Though there were many
gardens and some fruits raised and
other industries and a good deal of
grain, but the most important staple
was alfalfa and dairying.
"a few years ago the success of
long staple cotton was demonstrated
for that region. That bringing very
high prices large areas OF alfalfa were
plOughed up the cattle were sold, and
the people went extensively into the
raising of long staple cotton. That
was very profitable up to 1919 and was
one of the principal reasons why the
product that year was so high.
"In 1920 about $4,000 acres were
planted to long staple cotton, but the
market failed and very little of that
cotton has yet been marketed, al
though it was picked six months ago.
1t has potential valne, but leaves the
people In rather straitened circum-
stances, because of the lack OF
market at the present time, and many
of them are going back to alfalfa and
dairying. The difficulty is to get
h%igh-grade cattle, which they had be
fore in a marked degree, but gradu
ally they are getting back into the
more stable industry. Almost any
agricultural industry down there Is
profitable"
Frank w. Robinson, a railroad
which he thinks are typical OF thu
whole irrigation section.
increase in Wealth.
"In Latah county. In 1900" he said
"the assessed alu OF property wa
$ $500, 900; in 1910. 500 900, 900, and II
1920. $4,000, 900. The increase In tn
wealth of Twin Falls county in tn
' last ~ten-year period was about 200 pc
cent. while in Latah county In tn
10 per cent. The number of acres o
| improved land and in farms only
!, not including waste lands and land
1 not under cultivation-in the Twi
Falls county section In 1910 was NJ
proximately 100000 acres. and in 1872
10000 acres, while in Latah count
in 1900 there were $4,000 acres ]
farms; In 1910. 213,0OO acres; and |
S 1920, 223,O0O acres. indicating that /
: the last ten-year period 1000
q acres of this non-irrignted section ha
S been placed under cultivation. Will
( In the Twin Falls section $4,000 acre
had been placed under cultivation.
= "In 1919 the total value of all croI
raised In the Twin Falls section o
10000 acres was SOS, sol 500. while
Latah county. OF 223,0O0 acres tn
total value of oil crops vas S13,525,OO
6 "These people who have taken Il
$ these irrigated lands are the mo'
: aggressive and best type of HON
l. maker and citizen in the Unite
!e States. They spend their money for
n large amount Of manufactured thing
N the comforts of home, and they affol
the hest market per capita for man
le featured Eastern goods. One illu
re tration typical Of that, and typical