The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-09-16
Reclaim Arid
Areas of w est

reclamation projects proper-gross re-
turns of vegetable products-were
about S79.0OOOO0.
'"rhe Salt River valley in Arizona
tion development, based on the federal
work. The Salt river project is In
Maricopa county, surrounding the city |
of Phoenix. capital of Arizona. Ac- |
cordng to the census data and other
reliable statistics. about the time the |
reclamation act became law the |
population Of Phoenix was approx
mately 5000 and that of Maricopa
county $1,000, while the taxable value
of property in the county was $1,000
600.
"In 1920 the population of Phoenix
had reached 5000. that of Maricopa
county $4,000, while the taxable value
of property in the county was close
to 100000, 600 or more than ten times
what it 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.
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 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
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.
I'm 1920 about $4,000 acres were
planted to long staple cotton, but the
market failed and very little of tina,
cotton has yet been marketed. al
though il was picked six months ago
1t has potential value. but leaves th'
people In rather straitened circum
: market at the present time. and man.
Of them are going back to alfalfa an,
: dairyng. Tie difficulty is to ge
I high-grade cattle. which they had he
!. fore in marked degree. but gradu
/ ally they are getting back into tn
4 s,.J
). AGRICULTURAL industry down there
Y profitable"
Frank w. Robinson. railroa
f official, reports improvements in ldah
which he thinks are typical of tn
whole irrgation section.
f Increase in Wealth.
g "In Latah county. in 1900" he SAT-
r. 1.-THE assessed value of property Wa
!. sc. 800. 900: in 1910 S2OOOO. 600 and
. 1920. S34 100000. The increase In II
!. wealth Of Twin Falls county in IL
~ last ten-year period was about 200 p'
If cent. while in Latah county in Il
20 per cont The number Of acres
a, improved land and In farms only
in not including waste lands and lam
n rot under cultivation--in the Tw
20 Falls county section in 1910 was a
ps proximately 100000 acres. ana in 10
40 100000 acres. while In Latah coun
NJ in 1900 there were 10000 acres
farms: In 1910 a13.Oa0 acres. and
ts 1920. 22300O acyes. indicating that
o. the last ten-year period 100
,le acres Of this non-irrigated section h
rs been placed under cultivation VIII
~ IN the Twin Falls seeti'n n0 00a acr
IN. had been placed under cultira. on.
N. 'In 1919 the total value Of all era
ke raised IN the Twin Fails section
al 10000 acres was sos .5ol coo White
I.atah county. on 223.OOO acres I
re total value If all crops was S13a25.O
ia These people who have taken
ks these irrigated lands are the M
le- aggressive and hest type Of hon
al- maker and citizen in the Unit
he States. They spend their money fol
ion large amount Of manufactured thin
ION the comforts Of home. and they mn,
re. the hest market per capita tor ma
the featured Eastern goods. Ore W
the tration TYPICAL Of that, and typical