106 



THE IBBIGATION AGE. 



AN IDAHO FRUIT RANCH. 



Mr. Hall's Canyon Home. 



While in the West recently the editor of THE IR- 

 RIGATION AGE made a trip of some 80 or 90 miles south 

 of the Oregon Short Line Railway from Mountain 

 Home, Idaho, and took in several of the newly devel- 

 oping valleys along the Snake river. 



While on the return trip the party stopped for a 

 time at the ranch of Mr. George P. Hall, one of the 

 most successful fruit growers in the entire West. Mr. 

 Hall has a ranch extending up and down the Snake 

 on the north side about twenty miles south of Moun- 

 tain Home on which he has 3,000 peach and apricot 

 trees. These cover an area of about 15 acres, and 

 owing to the fact that his crop is harvested and mar- 

 keted ahead of any other similar crop in that State, the 

 top price is secured for same and his income from 

 this particular tract is exceedingly large. 



Mr. Hall boxes and ships about 10,000 cases of 

 fruit each year. The lowest price per case is 60 cents, 

 these being sold to and distributed by peddlers. Eighty 

 cents is the price received per case where the fruit is 



delivered to the railway station 20 miles away and his 

 retail price in small lots is $1 per case. 



It will be readily seen from the above figures that 

 Mr. Hall's income from these 15 acres is very large. 

 On one acre what is known as the champion peaches 

 are produced. A yield of 2,900 cases are obtained from 

 220 trees. At the lowest price named, 60 cents per 

 case, a very fair idea of his income may be obtained. 



Mr. Hall informs us that trees begin to bear when 

 they are three years of age and improve from year to 

 year. The trees on this ranch are not long-lived, ow- 

 ing to the climatic conditions which force the growth 

 of the tree itself as well as the fruit. 



Mr. Hall says he never plows for trees in planting. 

 He first turns the water, which is taken from the 

 springs in the rim rock of the canon in which he is 

 located, over the land, and after the course which the 

 water will naturally take is determined, the trees are 

 then planted regardless of definite lines, in an irreg- 

 ular form along the water course. It is safe to say that 

 Mr. Hall clears from $8,000 to $9,000 per year from 

 15 acres of fruit. 



It should be remembered, however, that other 

 products, including live stock and small fruits, easily 



pay the running expenses of the entire ranch, which 

 leaves his income from the fruit clear. 



We are presenting in this issue illustrations of the 

 road leading down into the canon toward Hall's ferry 

 and ranch, and in this connection is an opportunity to 

 thank both Mr. and Mrs. Hall for their hospitality and 

 kindness to the writer and party during their stay with 

 them. 



In going over the above matter, it occurred to 

 the writer that this will illustrate clearly to those in 



Mrs. Hall and Guests "Killing Time." 



doubt what is possible on a small acreage when the cli- 

 mate and water conditions are favorable, and will 

 answer many of our correspondents who have made in- 

 quiry as to the possibility of producing such large re- 

 turns as are suggested by the Rio Grande Land, Water 

 & Power Company people on their tract near Albu- 

 querque, N. M. ft is difficult for one not acquainted 

 with conditions in the west to comprehend what enor- 

 mous results may be obtained from one acre of ground, 

 where all the conditions are favorable, and while Mr. 



Dinner Time at Hall's Ranch In Summer Time the Well Screened 

 Porch is used as a Dining Room. 



Hall's case is an exceptional one, there are many others 

 to be found throughout the West nearly, if not quite, 

 as good. 



1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 



ill 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

 Send $2.50 for Th< 

 1 year, and The Prin 



The Irrigation Age 

 Primer of Irrigation 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



