The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-08-15
BOUNTEOUS CROPS
FROM IDAHO FARMS
CROPS WILL BE FAIRLY GOOD
IN SPITE OF GREATEST
DROUTH ON RECORD

Wnen the crops are gathered INT
the storehouses, the inventory take
and the returns known, Idahos irri
gated lands will have been found t
produce bounteous crops and splen
did returns for 1924.
Thus w. G. Swendsen, Idaho
commissioner of agriculture, SUM
up the situation in Idaho this yea
IN spite of the fact that 1924 is tn,
driest year for which there are re
liable figures. Stream flow is below
that of any year of which there i,
record. stored water has practically
been exhausted and many streams
are dry, but Idaho farmers knew this
drouth was coming, Commissioner
Swendsen says, and began early cor
serving water and some even went so
far as to plow under crops already
planted and sowed seed that would
mature in a shorter time and thus
not require so much water.
Mr.. Swendsen says he is familiar
with conditions in all of the irriga.
ted sections of the state and speaks
with knowledge he has gained after
having visited the lands, rather than
take the word of persons who might
be more or less prejudiced. Nor is
his knowledge of water supply situ-
ations confined to Idaho.
A careful investigation of the sit
uation in other states has been
made. MIR. Swendsen says, and when
with the Gem state, Idaho
s unusually fortunate.
Cooperation Brings Results
But conditions in Idaho would not
'e as they are today were it not for
he efficiency of the irrigation sys-
ems and the splendid spirit of CO.
peration shown by all the people of
he state, he says.
If the history of irrigation in
he west were written in detail" Mr..
wendsen says, sit would record no
ner neighborly and friendly spirit
n the part of the people, of the state
ian has existed in Idaho this year.
I numerous cases owners of super
r water rights have gratuitously, /,
I'd with no hope of monetary re- ;
ard, aided owners of inferior wa =
+ rights by reducing diversions of :;
ater and permitting the same to be },
'livered to their less fortunate fell
W citizens. An outstanding exam
e of such friendly spirit is exhibit b
1 among the people of the Upper U
axe River valley, who have at va :,
'us times during the year, released ~
tier represented by their valid q,
hts for use on downstream ~,
IDS"
Little Loss Expected is
Little or no crop boss will result ST
m drouth, the commissioner saws,
this is particularly true of the til
per Snake River valley north of fiji
catello. Hesays: ne
Crops there are in excellent con- tt
on and now mostly matured. tn
ere is water sufficient to take by
e of the needs of the community. th
ficient at least to produce, grow in
develop good crop of high bu
llty which with the present price ito
spects promises to the farmer of ag
upper valley fair return" wo
Boise River Lowest Recorded
In southwestern Idaho the Boise the
r has reached the fowest stream wa
on record and Arrowrock reser- are
is pactically empty, but condi- sm'
on the Boise project are far pro
l deplorable. As was the case in IL
+ parts of the state. water users lay
saw the coming shortage and shr
erved water, getting the maxi at |
effect from each irrigation.
y few days a short run of water
ade and it is predicted by Off ter
that the crops will mature with sum
minimum effect from droutb. mol
sers who depend on the Riden- may
canal for water were deprived duel
cir right when the river reached pi
point in stream flow Several
and acres of orchards depen- NJ
IN water from this ditch to keen OF Z
alive and right here another M
pie OF public spirit was shown and
the people of Boise voluntarily frler
up part of their right to water VIII
WINS and flowers that these or next
ds might survive. This after -
had paid for the water too. orchi
argued that if necessary the prod
could burn up because a new years
IN be grown in 80 days, but an man