Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1908 — FROM FAR OFF IDAHO. [ARTICLE]

FROM FAR OFF IDAHO.

H. P. Farmer Writes of the Prospects of the Great Irrigation ■ District. In a letter to a friend in Rensselaer, Henry P. Farmer, formerly of Marion township, writes of investment prospects about Twin Falls, Idaho, from which we are permitted to copy the following: Twin Falls, Idaho, Dec. 20. I remember telling you when I came west that I would write you something of the country and how it used me. I returned to my homestead June I, 1907, and proved up Aug. 17, 1908, (commuted). I broke my place all out and sowed it in wheat last spring but last year was the nearest a failure our country then had ever had. I got but SIOO profit out of my wheat crop, 160 acres, bnt I made a little money buying and selling horses. I made up my mind that dry farming in the west was too near a gamble, so I started out to find something that looked good to me. I went out through Wenatchee, a splendid place but too high for me. The actual truth about the conditions there are too big to tell. The crops they raise and the profits per acre are perfectly phenomenal. I went on to the coast and did not like it. Then I turned south and found only climate, climate. Then back to Yackima and saw Wenatchee repeated, - only much larger. But SSOO to $2,500 per acre was to much itr me, so I returned home and attempted to get up a little irrigation scheme there, but saw that pumping system was coming too high. I had heard much of this country and determined to see it. I have been here some time now, studying conditions and now feel free to recommend this country to my friends. I am sincere in the statement that hundreds of dollars invested rightly here, either in country or city property, will turn to thousands in three years. •

This is the largest Government Irrigation project in the U. S., and has a gravity system. The land has now proven to be very fertile and the climate good. The present showing of young orchards is magnificent. The Government has spent millions and is planning to spend more in dams and canals. I visited a farmer that has been here for three years. Off of 30 acres he netted this year nearly $3,500. This is only a moderate showing. Of course many do not do as well but some do better. I know many orchard farms returning from SSOO to sl,200 per acre. City property here is also a splendid investment. Now T am not a financial man but any one could see these things here. Do you not think it would pay you to come ut for a few days or weeks and look around? The climate is good, no snow, bright sun, calm. I would not live in the east under any/consideration now. lam not a money-maker but I can live here. « I would like to see some of my old-time friends get some of these good things that are going here. I am only able to take a very small hold but am thankful for that. Now if you or any of your friends think it worth while to consider my statements of any value and worthy of investigation, just come and see. We have fine hotels and good accommodations at Twin Falls and can thoroughly convince you of the truth of these statements. I have not until now been able to recommend without reserve any place that I have been in the west. But at Twin Falls I see absolutely nothing to prevent a prosperous future. Sincerely yours, HENRY P. FARMER.