THE CUUDE STRENGTH OF IDAHO 



output of precious metals varies from eight to eighteen 

 millions, though the industry is yet in its infancy. 

 Base metals, precious stones, and building material, in- 

 cluding fine marble, exist in abundance. 



Idaho lies wholly in the temperate zone, yet its climate 

 presents a great variety of features. In the larger pro- 

 portion of its territory, which consists of mountains and 

 elevated valleys, the winter is a season of considerable 

 severity. Here the thermometer registers far below 

 zero, though the days are rendered comfortable by dry 

 atmosphere and abundant sunshine. In these higher al- 

 titudes, however, production is limited to hardy crops, 

 and runs largely to hay and grain, which finds a market 

 in the mining and lumbering camps and at the hands of 

 stockmen. 



Southern and western Idaho are entirely different from 

 the eastern, central, and northern districts. The alti- 

 tude ranges from two thousand to four thousand feet, 

 and the climate admits of the production of delicate 

 fruits. In much of the Snake River Valley, and still 

 more notably in the numerous smaller valleys which 

 open into it, small farming and fruit-growing will as- 

 sume great proportions. Here the densest population 

 will be maintained and the finest institutions developed. 

 Typical districts of this sort are the valleys of the Boise, 

 of the Payette, and of the Weiser. 



The most famous product of these charming districts 

 is the prune. The prunes of southern Idaho were 

 awarded the first prize at the World's Fair in 1803. Ap- 

 ples are also a most profitable crop. Twenty-three varie- 

 ties of Idaho apples surprised the eastern pomologists at 

 the Exposition. Professor L. II. Bailey, the horticult- 

 M 177 



