THE IRE IG ATI ON AGE. 



309 



access, President Perrine admits that it has a much 

 larger field. It is in reality the initial link in an ex- 

 tensive system of electric roads which is soon to 

 gridiron all that part of Idaho, and plans for which 

 are even now in preparation. These roads are made 

 necessary by the rapidity with which southern Idaho 

 is growing, and the ever-increasing demand for means 

 of inter-communication and transportation. Thanks 

 to its generous water power, electricity is cheaper than 

 steam in Idaho, and consequently it is rapidly dis- 

 placing the latter as a motive force. Hence the elec- 

 tric lines. 



Stock raising, the growing of hogs, sheep, and 

 cattle has become an important industry in that sec- 

 tion of the country. Farmers find in this a highly 

 profitable means of utilizing their surplus hay and 

 grain crops, better than selling the crop products no 

 matter how high the price may be, as it affords a 



Waiehu l-'alls, South Fork of Wailua River Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. 



means of not only getting a big price for the hay and 

 grain, but at die same time adds much-needed humus 

 material to the soil. Rich as this soil is, it is un- 

 deniable that it is lacking in humus. This, however, 

 is readily supplied by the application of stable manure. 

 the plowing under of cover crops or alfalfa and 

 clover, and decayed straw. Even the farmers who 

 are growing rich by raising fruits and vegetables 

 are fast coming to recognize the fact that it pays to 

 give attention to livestock. 



Facilities for the movement of products to mar- 

 ket must be provided, and it is the purpose of the 

 promoters of the electric railway system to secure 

 this by making connection with the steam roads easy, 

 while at the same time fui nishing transportation for 



passengers. This is one reason why the electric lines 

 are being constructed of standard gauge so the cars 

 may be interchangeable with those of the steam roads 

 if desired. 



What can the newcomer to Idaho do? This is a 

 question in which a large number of people are in- 

 terested. Much depends upon the amount of capital 

 he has and the size of the tract he buys. Most of 

 the land is disposed of in 40- and 80-acre tracts. 

 The former is enough for the average man. If he. is 

 unusually energetic and has the monetary means to 

 hire help he may handle 80 acres satisfactorily, but 

 it is not advisable at the start. Clearing the land of 

 sagebrush and putting it in shape to irrigate and crop, 

 seeding and harvesting, will cost on an average about 

 $17.50 an acre. The first crop, aside from the vege- 

 tables and other supplies for home use, should be 

 alfalfa, as it adds the necessary nitrogen and humus 

 to the soil. For the first year the alfalfa yield will 

 run from one to two tons to the acre, worth from $7 

 to $12 a ton. The second and succeeding years will 

 show better returns. Expenses the second year for 

 irrigation and harvesting (there will be no reseeding), 

 should not exceed $12.50 an acre, against which there 

 should be at least six tons of alfalfa worth conserva- 

 tively $60. Alfalfa, for the reasons given, is the 

 most desirable crop for the first few years on new 

 land. After that general farming and fruit raising, 

 which are much more productive, may be taken up. 



No observing person can travel through this part 

 of the West without being strongly impressed by the 

 wonderful results accomplished by a few determined 

 pioneers. In a way these results are the outcome of 

 monopolies wisely directed. Each man concerned in 

 the development of the country has had his particu- 

 lar work to do and has done it in his own way, un- 

 restricted by the others. There has been, of course 

 a community of interests, each man working toward a 

 common end, but doing it as he saw fit without hin- 

 drance. Thus, the Buhls, the Milners, and the Kuhns 

 have constructed the irrigation plants, and how well 

 they have done it a visit to the scene will tell. I. B. 

 Perrine has had charge of the making of improve- 

 ments and conveniences as they were needed. The 

 city of Twin Falls and numerous thriving settlements 

 are monuments to his enterprise. Sales of lands, the 

 securing of a desirable class of settlers, has been in 

 charge of H. L. Hollister. That this important feature 

 has been well conducted is evidenced by the fact that, 

 while there are now between 30,000 and 40,000 peo- 

 ple in the Twin Falls country, there is a noticeable 

 absence of discontent or disorder. Almost without 

 exception these people are happy, contented and pros- 

 perous. Occasionally some lone individual, having 

 proved up on his land, desires to sell out, although 

 this is rare. In such case if the holding has been well 

 tilled and improved he has little trouble in getting 

 $200 an acre for what cost him from $25 to $65, and 

 is ahead the yearly income from his crops in addition. 



Wildly exaggerated stories are in circulation re- 

 garding the yields obtained from Twin Falls farms 

 and orchards. This, perhaps, is only natural, but at 

 the same time such reports are harmful and unwar- 

 ranted. The truth is strong enough. When it is 

 known, beyond doubt, that intelligent cultivation will 

 secure a net income of $100 to the acre, what's the 

 use of "drawing the long bow." of overdoing it? 



