SETTLING THE SNAKE RIVER VALLEY. 



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HEADGATES OF THE GREAT WESTERN CANAL. 



to be the greatest of American States for the farmer in the future. They 

 base their confidence first, on the well known advantages of irrigation, 

 second, on the marvelous qualities of the soil, and, third, on the enormous 

 water supply furnished by the^nake river. No portion of the arid region 

 is better watered than this part of Idaho and there are few places where 

 the supply is anywhere near as great. In the neighborhood of Idaho Falls 

 is one of the largest systems of canals in the West, and one of the best 

 of these is that belonging to the Great Western Canal and Improvement 

 Company, which serves the 40,000 acres now being placed upon the market 

 by the company of gentlemen referred to. This canal was built by the 

 private means of its owners and is entirely out of debt. Its works are of a 

 substantial character and its ability to supply water is beyond all question. 



Idaho Compared With the Old jstorthwest. 



The present remarkable movement of settlers to the Snake River val- 

 ley, especially in view of the fact that many of them are leaving the best 

 parts of the older States, requires an explanation. There is but one fact 

 that could justify it, and that, is that the average family can make more 

 money in Idaho than in the Central Western States. Nowhere can there 

 be absolute assurance of crops, year in and year out, without irrigation. 

 So the first advantage which the farmer will gain by going to Idaho is the 

 certainty of his crop when insured by irrigation. In the best portions of 

 Central West the average crop of wheat is eleven bushels per acre. In the 

 Snake river valley of Idaho on irrigated land forty bushels per acre is a 





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