10 



THE IERIGATION AGE. 



pose of acquainting themselves with the facts in prepara- 

 tion for definite action at the earliest possible moment. 

 We feel that we have done everything that could have 

 been done in the nine months we have been in office and 

 we expect to work unremittingly in the future to bring 

 about a just and satisfactory solution of Idaho's irrigation 

 problems. 



We need honest help, thoughtful suggestions, and con- 

 structive advice. We do not need sarcasm, inuendo or 

 bitter reflections upon the mistakes of others. 



If you are in position to give us any part of what we 

 need, we shall be glad to hear further from you at any 

 time. If your qualifications enable you to offer only what 

 we do not need, it is perfectly evident not only that we 

 can expect no help from you, but that we must continue 

 in our efforts to bring about a proper solution of our 

 difficulties in spite of you and others who are adepts at 

 destruction but mere novices at construction. 

 Yours very respectfully, 



(Signed) JOHN M. HAINES, 



Governor. 



BREEDING ARMY REMOUNTS. 



The Bureau of Animal Industry has received re- 

 ports from its officers in charge of the breeding of 

 army remounts in co-operation with the War Depart- 

 ment which show that the Government's plan is very 

 popular with the owners of mares. At the close of 

 business on August 16, 1913, 41 stallions were in serv- 

 ice. These stallions have covered 1,452 mares during 

 the season, an average of slightly over 35 mares per 

 stallion. Twenty-seven of the stallions were five years 

 old or over, and covered 1,097 mares, an average of a 

 little over 40; ten were four-year-olds and covered 

 292 mares, an average of better than 29 per head; four 

 were three-year-olds and covered 63 mares, an average 

 of more than 15. 



The number of mares covered in Vermont and 

 New Hampshire was 241, an average of over 34 for 

 seven stallions, including 3 four-year-olds, and one 

 three-year-old ; 583 mares were bred in Virginia, an 

 average of over 31 for 18 stallions, including 4 four- 

 year-olds and 3 three-year-olds ; 208 mares were bred 

 in West Virginia, an average of 52 for four stallions, 

 including one four-year-old; 376 mares were bred in 

 Kentucky, an average of better than 37 for ten stal- 

 lions, including one four-year-old ; in Tennessee, a 

 mature stallion and a four-year-old covered 22 mares 

 each. 



The number of mares covered by mature stallions 

 of different breeds were as follows : Three Morgans 

 averaged 45 mares ; ten Thoroughbreds averaged 38 

 mares ; eight Standardbreds averaged 40 mares and six 

 Saddle stallions averaged 42 mares. All ages by 

 breeds are as follows: Seven Morgans (including 3 

 four-year-olds and one three-year-old) averaged 34 

 mares; 15 Thoroughbreds (including 3 four-year-olds 

 and two three-year-olds) averaged 32 mares; ten 

 Standardbreds (including 2 four-year-olds) averaged 

 39 mares; and 9 Saddle stallions (including 2 four- 

 year-olds and one three-year-old) averaged 37 mares. 



In placing these stallions, care was taken to select 

 communities in which there was a scarcity of good stal- 

 lions. Therefore, the mares bred during the past sea- 

 son, are, to a great extent, mares which would prob- 

 ably not have been bred in the absence of Government 

 encouragement. 



The number of mares bred in 1913 will be in- 

 creased somewhat. In New England, breeding con- 

 tinues until October 1. and in Virginia the fall season 

 is commonly used. Both conditions will operate to 

 the advantage of the remount breeding work. 



BELLE FOURCHE, SOUTH DAKOTA, IRRIGATED 

 LANDS OFFER GREAT OPPORTUNITIES 



The Belle Fourche irrigation project is located just 

 north of the Black Hills district in South Dakota adjacent 

 to the lines of the Chicago and North Western railway. 



Over 65,000 acres of land is under water at the pres- 

 ent time, about BO, 000 acres of which has already been 

 taken up. This leaves 15,000 acres still to be settled upon, 

 and new land will be supplied with water privileges as 

 rapidly as the work progresses until 100,000 acres of irriga- 

 ble land in this valley is brought under cultivation. 

 Climate 



The climate of the region is temperate and the rains 

 occur principally in May and June. The summers are 

 pleasant and the nights always cool. The atmosphere is 

 very dry and the altitude of from 2,700 to 3,000 feet at 

 which the valley is situated, makes it most healthful. 



Soil 



Government engineers hold the soil is exceedingly 

 fertile part clay and part sandy loam. The lands art 

 free from rock, gravel or excessive sand, and vary from 

 flat to quite rolling. 



Crops 



The crops that can be profitably grown are grain, hay, 

 alfalfa, potatoes, sugar beets, hardy fruits and garden 

 truck. Fifty to seventy-five bushels of grain may be easily 

 grown on this irrigated land. Apples, plums, and small 

 fruits may be grown, all of good quality. Sugar beets 

 are exceedingly profitable. Wheat grass or the native 

 hay also produces an abundant crop when watered and 

 sells for a high price. The valley is a natural artesian 

 basin, and flowing water of the finest quality is secured at 

 a depth of from 500 to 1,500 feet. 

 Markets 



Belle Fourche has the advantage over most districts 

 in that it is quite near the principal markets of the West. 



Diversion Dam in Belle Fourche River. 



including Omaha, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Des Moine.s, 

 Peoria, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth. 

 Superior and Ashland. In addition the settler who comes, 

 here to establish his home finds particularly advantageous 

 markets in Deadwood, Lead, Rapid City, Hot Springs, 

 Belle Fourche, Whitewood, Sturgis, Pierre and other 

 South Dakota points. All are reached via the direct train 

 service of the Chicago and North Western railway. 

 How to Get Lands 



Part of these lands belong to the public domain and 

 part are deeded lands. The public land can be secured 

 under the terms of the United States Homestead laws. 

 The deeded or private lands must be purchased, the price 

 varying according to location and improvements. 



Cost 



The cost of water for lands under this project is about 

 $30 per acre, divided into ten annual payments, or about 

 $3.00 per acre per year, without interest. This is ex- 

 actly what the improvement costs the government. In 

 addition a maintenance fee of 40 to 50 cents per acre per 

 year is charged for its upkeep. The first payment be- 

 comes due in the fall after the water has been delivered 

 for the crop. For further particulars call on or address 

 A. C. Johnson, P. T. M., Chicago and Northwestern Ry., 

 Chicago, 111. 



