THE IKRIGATION AGE. 



UNDEVELOPED EMPIRE 



The most accessible lands and those that could be 

 most easily farmed were naturally entered by the Home- 

 seeker m the west, before any great effort was made to 

 establish homes in the regions where natural obstacles 

 are greater. The agricultural lands of Wyoming present 

 some difficulties to those who desire to establish homes 

 within the borders of the state. However, when these 

 difficulties are overcome the lands increase in value more 

 rapidly than they do where conditions seem more favor- 

 able to settlement. A greater variety of crops can be 

 grown in a region where the topography of the surface 

 embraces plains, hills and mountains. The various re- 

 sources surrounding the agricultural districts build up in- 

 dustries which provide a first-class permanent market for 

 all farm products. No state in the union contains varied 

 resources in as great an extent as does Wyoming. These 

 have been untouched until recently on account of a lack 

 of transportation facilities. Following the recent construc- 

 tion of railroad lines, much development has begun which 

 would otherwise have been very slow if not impossible. 



Wyoming still remains an undeveloped empire, having 

 a total area of 97,890 square miles, of which 10,000,000 

 acres will ultimately be irrigated. Wyoming stands in the 

 front rank among her sister states in educational facilities, 

 and in its low per cent of illiteracy. The topography of 

 the state is as varied as are its resources. Within its 

 boundaries are 10,000,000 acres of timber lands, 48,000,000 

 acres of land that will ultimately be devoted to agricul- 

 ture and live stock pursuits. There are fully 20,000 square 

 miles of the state underlaid with coal. Hundreds of car- 

 loads of iron ore are shipped each day from the mines 

 in northern Laramie county. While Wyoming has an 



elevation of 6,000 feet above the sea level, yet the climate 

 is mild, the mean temperature being 44 degrees. Severe 

 storms are not frequent in the winter, and the ground is 

 generally dry during. that season, and only covered with 

 snow at intervals. It is possible to ride a bicycle or 

 drive an automobile during practically the entire year 

 except in the mountain districts. 



Wyoming already stands first in so far as the wool 

 and sheep industry are concerned. In addition to the 

 opportunities for the investment of capital in many in- 

 dustries other than farming, Wyoming offers the best 

 advantages to the homesteader. The varied scenery of 

 the state attracts thousands of tourists each year, and as 

 transportation facilities improve many localities possessing 

 special points of interest will be accessible to those who 

 travel for the purpose of studying the beauties of nature. 



Wyoming has an assessed valuation of $200,000,000 



The Dam of the La Prele Irrigation Company, Near Douglas, Wyoming. 



It Is Now Completed and Is 135 Feet High. Will Store 



Enough Water for 25,000 Acres. 



and a population of from 130,000 to 150,000 people. The 

 per capita wealth of its citizens is perhaps higher than 

 any other state. Although the state has made provision 



Shell Creek Canal in Big Horn County on Which Construction Has 

 Recently Been Finished. 



for the care of paupers, yet these institutions are but little 



used, because pauperism is almost unknown. Wyoming 



(Continued on page 52.) 



