The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1921-09-30
Reclaim Arid
Areas of w est

reclamation projects proper-gross re-
turns of vegetable products-were
about $79,OOOOOO.
"The Salt River valley in Arizona
Illustrates well the results of irriga-
tion development, based on 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 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
900.
'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 S100,000,0 900, 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.
'"rhe 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
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 We're
planted TO long staple cotton. but the
market failed and very little of that
cotton has yet been marketed, al
though 1t was picked six months ago.
1t has potential value, 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
high-grade cattle, which they had be-
fore in 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, railroad
official, reports improvements in Idaho
which he thinks are typical of the
whole irrigation section.
Increase In Wealth.
"In Latah county, In 1900" he said,
"the assessed value Of property was
SO. SOC, 600: in 1910. $4,000 900, and in
1920. $34,O00O0O. The increase In the
wealth Of Twin Falls county In the
last ten-year period was about 200 per
cent. while in Latah county in the
20 per cent The number of acres OF
Improved land and In farms only
not including waste lands and lands
not under cultivation--in the Twin
Falls county section In 1910 was APP
proximately 100000 acres. and In 1920
10000 acres. while in Latah county
I'm 1900 there were $4,000 acres In
farms; In 1910. 2l3,OOO acres and In
1920, 223,OO0 acres. indicating that IN
the last ten-year period 10000
acres of this non-irrigated section had
been placed under cultivation. while
IN the Twin Falls section 10000 acres
had been placed under cultivation.
an 1919 the total value Of all crops
raised In the Twin Falls section on
10000 acres was 500 .591 .002, while In
Latah county. on 223.0O0 acres the
total value of all crops was $13,525. 600.
'These people who have taken up
these irrigated lands are the most
aggressive and best type OF home
maker and citizen In the United
States. They spend their money for q
large amount Of manufactured things,
the comforts Of home, and they AFFORD
| the best market per capita for manu-
| fsctured Eastern goods. One illus
trafion typical Of that, and typical Of