YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRAHY 3 9002 05350 8090 \ Wheat Queen LATAH COUNTY IDAHO ''•JF'/l'X omeseefter in tbe ®em County oftbe if amous pa* louse. Xlbe reason is set fortb wftbtn QOMB WITH US TO I D A H O ! M&W$$&:Wtiifti-&' JOURNAL INTRODUCTORY. The purpose of this little booklet is to present facts and data relative to Latah county, Idaho, the garden of the famous Palouse country where farmers win fortunes. Because of a remarkable combination of conditions La tah county, presents wonderful opportunities. The facts herein stated are readily verified by visitors, and it is expect ed this booklet will stimulate personal investigation. Such examination will convince far beyond the power of cold type. A large percentage of investigating homeseekers are certain to become residents, and this is the end sought. HARVEST SCENE.IN LATAH COUNTY THE BASIC PRINCIPLE. Latah county owes its pre-eminence primarily to its remarkable soii. Prof. Mark W. Harrington, for many years at the head of the' weather bureau of the Agricultural Department at Washington, D. C. , visited this section, and, as is invariably the case with observing men, was greatly impressed with its wonderful wealth of resources. Upon his return to Seattle, where he was then serving as President of the State University of Washington, he gave expression .to his views in a newspaper interview, from which we make the following extracts. "The study of the formations in what is called the Palouse country was very interesting to me. Most of the soil seems to have been formed by the wind and not by the water. One class of soil is formed by glacial drifts and the continuous action of the water. Such is the formation of the Sound and about Spokane. But the Palouse country appears to have been formed by the wind — the Aeolian or Loess process. This is where the entire soil of the country, hills and valleys, is formed by the wind carry ing particles and depositing them. Aeolian soil is some times very fine, sometimes coarse, but in the same section of the country it everywhere is of the same fineness. The particles of the dust are carried by the wind and of course the heaviest fall first. - Deserts are formed in this way. The fine dust may be carried hundreds of miles further and then being deposited make rich soil. This seems to be the nature of the soil in the Palouse country, It is very THRESHING SCENE IN LATAH COUNTY (5) fine, soft soil, absolutely free from grit. The nature of the Palouse soil convinces me that it is of wind formation. But there is another reason for believing so. "In a country formed by water, the hills will often have a. hollow on top, sometimes filled with water. But the wind makes hills that are rounded knolls. Such is the shape of the Palouse hills. The wind came from the south west. In this direction the hills slope gently away. But on the northeast they break away in abrupt shoulders. This fine soil is very fertile. It seems to be one of the kind which is perpetually fertile. In the whole world I know of only one locality which has a similar soil. This is the north of China, in the two provinces of Shanshi and Shenshi, west of Pekin. This is the original home of the Chinese, from which they spread out over the rest of China. This soil is wonderfully fertile, for though it has been cultivated for four thousand years it remains unchanged. And to me the Palouse soil seems to be just the same, from which I am led to believe that it is inexhaustible. "While there we estimated what population the Palouse country was able to maintain. Our conclusion was that one hundred times as many people could be sup ported by its soil as now live there. The area is a little less than that of Massachusetts, and the population might be greater than that of Massachusetts and all supported by its soil. "Another characteristic of the soil in that country is the small fall of water needed to raise crops. This, of course, is another advantage. Then there are no trees or rocks to be removed. Put in the plow and then plant tlie seed." MAIN STREET, MOSCOW, LOOKING SOUTH SUBSIDIARY. Only secondary in importance to the soil, are the climatic conditions. Situated west of the Rocky Moun tains, Latah county is embraced in the wide temperate belt differing so vitally from the area of extreme temperatures extending from the Pockies eastward. The outstanding features of this great district are, briefly, mild and equable weather from year to year, cool nights, ample rainfall, and clear bracing atmosphere. Latah county has all these good features, accentuated by its favorable posi tion on the Palouse plateau. Latah's climatic conditions have been a potent factor in drawing new settlers. To those familiar only with the sweltering summers and rigorous winters characteristic of the eastern and middle west states the delightful summers with invariable cool nights and bracing winters are a revela tion and constant source of health, pleasure and enjoyment. This superb climate also accounts for the entire absence of malarial fevers common to many districts. EVOLUTION. Fifty years ago Latah county attracted attention from the original western argonauts. Then its vast expanse of rolling plain clothed in bunch grass drew the cattleman and for some years this industry was. paramount. The pioneers speedily realized the wonderful fertility of the soil, MOSCOW HIGH SCHOOL (9) however, and with the advent of the first railways the cat tle were displaced with cereals. This process of evolution is still in evidence, witness the immense proportions to which the dairy industry is growing. It is along the lines of diversified farming that Latah is to attain its maximum greatness. Already its residents are following up the lines which bring in a daily income, and in a few years the subsidiary industries bid fair to loom as large as -the enormous grain production. THE IDEAL HOME. Today Latah county offers most of the inducements of the ideal home. Energetic Americans desire a home in which honest endeavor will win a sure competency. This has been demonstrated in. Latah county in hundreds of instances. The ideal home must possess especially desir able climatic conditions and the claims set forth for Latah in this respect are easy of verification. Two. great railroads penetrate the heart of the county, ensuring every transporta tion facility, without mentioning two or more electric lines now under construction. Educational facilities are unsur passed, particularly as the county seat is also the home of the great state university. Altogether it seems difficult to imagine any desideratum of the ideal home which cannot be met in Latah county. DEMONSTRATION. The possibilities of agriculture in Latah county are remarkable. The average yield of wheat is conservatively placed at 35 bushels to the acre. This is generally recog nized as the minimum figure; yields of 50 bushels per acre RUSSELL SCHOOL, MOSCOW (11) are too common to excite comment, while thoroughly authenticated instances of 80 bushels to the acre are recorded. Oats yield 60 to 80 bushels to the acre, and are of a magnificent quality. The grain is full and plump, the white varieties commanding an ever-growing market at top prices from manufacturers of high grade milled cereals. Latah county oats weighing 46^2 lbs. per bushel captured the world's prize at the St. Louis exposition. Barley averages close to 60 bushels per acre, and is of particularly good quality. Flax, rye, buckwheat, hay, beans and other products come to great perfection and yield enormous crops. Every vegetable characteristic of this latitude attains magnificent growth and profusion. FRUIT CULTURE. ' One of the features that conduces to prosperity in Latah county is its versatility. The facts anent ordinary field crops have already been , pointed out and demonstration made that wonderful productiveness is the rule in this direction. -,. But the farmer has the advantage of other lines of industry which will materially shorten the road to prosperity. Qrie of these is the orchard. Latah county produces in prodigal quantities the most magnificent applet raised in the Pacific Northwest and at a comparatively early date will control the highest priced markets in several varieties of fruit. The altitude being considerably above the ayerage^the apples grown in Latah 's hundreds of orchards have qualities that fruit produced at a lower altitude do not attain. The Latah county apple excels all other Pacific North western apples in crispness, color, flavor and keeping qual- IRVING SCHOOL, MOSCOW (13) ities. In late spring and early summer magnificent Jona- thons, Rome Beauties, Greenings and other select varieties of apples are brought from ordinary cellars where they have been kept from the previous fall and placed on the market in as good shape as the day they were picked. The fact has been demonstrated that a carefully planted and properly cultivated orchard is one of the Latah county farmer's most valuable assets. THE DAIRY. The dairy affords a genuinely profitable market in Latah county, in which increasing production has had the effect of widening the demand. Thousands of cows are milked daily in the county for butter-fat under contract with the great manufacturing creameries, and' there is a demand for the product of thousands of additional cattle. When it is further stated that the grasses and forage plants used most extensively in dairy feeding, together with the roots used in the scientific food ration produce really wonderful crops throughout the county, the import ance of this industry is further emphasized. The exceed ingly mild climate is a potent factor in the success crown ing the dairy industry to date for the obvious reason that cattle do not require heavy rations for the maintainence of animal heat. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO THE PROOF. The proof of the claims set forth for Latah county can be readily authenticated. Not one but hundreds of in stances can be quoted of farmers who came to Latah from ten to twenty years ago and are now able to retire in com fortable circumstances. Twenty years ago John Randall, of Moscow, came to Latah county without a dollar; today he owns a thousand acres of lands, has other means, and is conservatively rated at $50,000, every penny of which he wrung from the soil by perseverance and intelligent appli cation. Twelve years ago John Martinson was a farm lab orer at $15 per month; today he is the owner of a round thousand acres of magnificent wheat land easily worth $30 per acre, the whole in thorough cultivation and winning him a small fortune yearly. Instances of this nature can be added almost ad infinitum and any homeseeker will upon application be given the addresses of five to five hundred Latah county farmers who are independently well-to-do as the result of their labors, in the county. OPPORTUNITIES. The opportunities for winning fortune in Latah county are brighter today than ever before. True there , is no longer land for the taking, but to offset this there are all the modern facilities of transportation, etc., the lack of which hampered the pioneers for years, and all the comforts, edu- BIRD'S Eli 3SC0W, IDAHO ¦j-tllBfflW^^fefau ^^Sw^^BBSpHJHPi^! HbI^:" ^l. ^.tt4.^tt«^4nl .'¦^R^^r -———^ H . B^ — ' r'%'"' 1 ^^HHflUiHI « ¦¦ MmM 9J «/• /.' 1 ..^StIhbww '- £ "^fc&^H .' . ¦ - ?,'l'-' '¦'r^'TBl yiiii ^1^ I «P9 "A." ' ¦' ¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦'; ¦ ft"! I'M ¦: ;..'¦ ¦ . /j'lllMH " * **i Kf'-?1 :&:~'^W y£ F' * --'';i^^B ¦Hi ! /' aj ''-' ..7. 4M kj ¦E-V.BK§r.r.:.«HB 'V ' (¦¦ SrV'~ E' Sr j •a • ' ' i ^P o 31"JQ S. o>-H 55W> >-" ft! O H S KO QIn j«; oo«;maw Q s (19) cational facilities and other advantages lacking in the days when present day fortunes were founded. There is room in Latah county for thousands of homer seekers. Many farmers have earned competencies and are content to remove to the towns and cities, there to enjoy the: well-earned fruits of their labor. This leaves fine, improved and thoroughly tested farms for rent or sale. In addition, tracts of timber are constantly being denuded and the lands thus rendered available for settlement are as pro ductive as any in the county and can be had at exceedingly low figures. Further, many of the larger holdings are being divided into quarter sections upon their owners retir ing from active farming or seeking to reduce their estates toithe point where they can be handled without the exces sive labor and effort incident to the great wheat and stock farmsv -The farmers who take hold at' this juncture will reap success much more rapidly thdn those who were com pelled to'stem the vicissitudes of the pioneer days. Latah county farms can be secured in three ways. The farmer with capital can purchase outright, the-finest agricultural land, thoroughly improved and tested as to productiveness, being available at $30 to $50 per acre, depending on various contingencies to be ascertained readily on investigation. Those with smaller capital can also pur chase land, carrying the balance over and above their avail able means at comparatively low interest with one of the numerous financial concerns eagerly seeking such invest ments. WHere homeseekers -are not prepared to buy it is com paratively easy, other things being equal,- to lease choice land. Such leases are available at rentals up to $3.50 per acre in the cases of exceptionally good holdings. Arrange- ELKS' TEMPLE, MOSCOW (21) ments for the operation of farms on a share basis are not uncommon. Many of the men who have piled up fortunes in Latah county have made a commencement in this way. With unparalleled richness of soil, magnificent markets and crop failures unknown, the problem really simmers down to the fitness of the man. Intelligent farming with reason able frugality and ordinary business acumen are the real essentials to success. With these attributes the man with out capital can win a fortune in half the time required else where, although the possession of capital naturally short ens the path to prosperity. If the outlook and promises herein set forth interest you — Investigate. Get in touch with a firstclass real estate dealer. Tell him what you seek and your means. He is certain to have a proposition to suit, and a - visit to the ground will enable you to investigate all the conditions. You may lose the opportunity of a lifetime by neglect ing to follow up the ideas set forth in this booklet. It's publication is primarily intended to induce the homeseeker to investigate and confirm in person the statements set forth. THE COUNTY SEAT. Moscow, 'the county seat of Latah, is among the oldest and most beautiful communities in the fair state of Idaho. It has a population of approximately 6,000, possesses fine homes, churches and brick or stone business houses. The city has sewers, water system, electric lights, paved roads, county and federal offices, two railroads, for one of which it is the divisional point, and is the terminal of two projected electric railroads. mtn Vj.&* i# -^^:.e^ K PURE BRED CATTLE IN LATAH COUNTY (23) Moscow has the added advantage of being the seat of the great University of Idaho. This institution is properly regarded as among the leading educational institutions of the west and takes a high standing for scholarship in the nation. It is divided as follows : 1. The College of Letters and Sciences. 2'. The College of Agriculture. 3. The School of Engineering, including civil, min ing and electrical engineering. 4. The Preparatory School. The faculty numbers about seventy and is drawn from the principal universities in the United States with a spec ial view to the fitness of the individual to the post assigned. The work of the faculty is its own commendation! Grad uates of the various schools are filling important roles in every part of the country, while not a few have been sel ected for substantial berths abroad. The University of Idaho is the final link in the edu cational system that is one of Latah county's potent advant ages. The' system extends down through the high and public schools dotting the county to the number of eighty- seven, in all of which, from University to remote primary class, the tuition is as free as air. With such educational attractions it is not remarkable that parents seek Latah county as an exceptionally desirable place in which'-to rear and educate families. . . ! , -.*.-. DAIRY CATTLE IN LATAH COUNTY GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. If one fact related to farming in the section about Mos cow is better established than another, it is that this coun try is well adapted to the growing of grasses and forage plants. No thoughtful person has ever lost faith in the possibilities of the soil to produce abundant crops of the tame grasses and clovers, but in this, as in most new coun tries where wheat can be grown so easily, it is not strange that so many should have dropped these crops out of the list of valuable farm productions. When we consider that only a few years ago nature produced an abundant, and even luxuriant, crop of native grasses which covered the hills and valleys of this fertile section, it becomes at once apparent that these crops can again be grown in their greatest perfection. This fact is no longer in doubt, for there are thousands of acres of clover and tame grasses now growing in the immediate vicinity of Moscow. In the eastern states there is more or less danger of a failure in securing a stand of grasses and clover, on account of the severe winter freezes and still more trying summer draughts. Here a failure to get a catch of seed is almost unknown, and never realized if the farmer prepares the ground and sows the seed in an intelligent manner. This particular section of the Palouse country, under discussion, is especially well adapted to the growth of grasses and clov ers, due to the fact that there is a greater precipitation here, in rain and melted show, than there is in many other METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MOSCOW The Finest Church Edifice in (he State of Idaho (27) sections. This is accounted for by our proximity to the mountains and to the elevation. There is seldom any wind in this section accompany ing the snow storms in winter, so that the ground is well protected from freezing weather. This saves the young grass and clover plants at this season. The loose friable condition of the soil makes the preparation of the land for seeding an easy task. When once seeded the clovers and grasses yield good crops for many years. Unlike the eastern states where clover lasts not to exceed three years and usually not more than two, here clover will produce paying crops for seven or eight. years, and it has been known to continue profitable for ten years. Timothy grows wherever sown and pro duces large yields of hay which readily sells on the market for from $8 to $10 per ton. Common Red Clover, Mam moth Clover, Alsik/e and White Clover all do well in this section. All the grasses and clovers produce an abundance of seed here. Orchard Grass, Tall Meadow Oat Grass, Meadow Fes cue, English Rye Grass, Kentucky Blue-Grass, Canadian Blue-Grass and Australian Brome Grass all do well, pro ducing per acre by actual weight and measurement one year from date of seeding the following yields of well-cured hay: Orchard Grass 5280 pounds. Tall Meadow Oat Grass. . . 5760 pounds. Meadow Fescue 5280 pounds. English Rye Grass , 4000 pounds. ( - Brome Grass 5600 pounds. Red clover will produce an average yield of three to four tons of cured hay per acre in large fields, and five tons - ¦- 1 I- 1 ^ ' '¦¦' I^^l ¦ Hh &:.&s-- - :-;.:'"- ,"• 5 3^IS^^^M;S2 ^^Hfl •¦;;-- :^'-.--/. '•¦"¦¦•. ,;---;r ir^ r -^ •;-¦./-' ARMORY AND GYMNASIUM, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO (29.) per acre have been grown on small areas. Brome Grass does well on some of the higher grounds where the less hardy grasses would not succeed; it is valuable for hay and pasture and is a perennial. All of the tame grasses start early in the spring in this section and grow late in the. fall. The climate during the haying season is ideal for mak ing hay. While occasional showers may occur they are sel dom so heavy as to injure the crop. The hay comes in bright and green, thus increasing its feeding and market value. SUMMARY. Moscow has churches owned by the following denom inations: Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Epis copal, Adventist, Roman Catholic, Dunkard, Christian, Swedish Lutheran, Norweigan Lutheran and German Methodist. These denominations are strongly represented throughout the county, churches being almost as numerous as schoolhouses. The following fraternities are represented in Moscow and the county: Elks, Masonic Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, Order of Eastern Star, Oddfel lows and Rebekahs, Knights of Pythias, Modern Wood men, Woodmen of the World, A. O. U. W., Artisans, Foresters and Redmen. Above are shown specimens of Moscow homes. The upper picture shows the home of A. T. Spotswood, charmingly ensconsed in beautiful trees and shrub bery. Below is the magnificent new home of Jerome J. Day, one of the many costly residences erected in the county seat of Latah recently. IN LATAH COUNTY Sunstroke is unknown. Hay Fever is never contracted. , Pure, cold water in unfailing quantity easily obtained. Grain sacks cost about seven cents. All wheeled vehicles are wide-tracked. Short mild winters and long cool summers. Thunderstorms are almost unknown. Grain is stored and shipped in sacks. Irrigation is not required in any part of the Palouse. No trouble to secure locations near churches of almost any denomination. Vegetables grow to unusual size and are exceptionally tender. The potato bug is conspicuous by its complete absence. The Palouse cherry is magnificent in its wonderful size and flavor. Chinch bugs, weevils and Hessian Flies have not made an appearance in Latah county. Tame grasses attain in Latah county a degree of per fection that has created a demand for Latah grass seeds. Plowing proceeds whenever the ground is in proper con dition. On high lands farmers frequently plow late in December. Latah is the land of great grain crops, the biggest and (32) best red apples, enormous pumpkins and golden opportu nities. Fall seeding continues from September to late fall, sometimes till nearly Christmas. Dry goods, groceries and clothing can be bought as cheaply as in the middle states. The climate closely resembles eastern Tennessee or Vir ginia, without the sultry heat or hot nights of these states. Prevailing winds blow from the southwest. The country has never had a cyclone, but the balmy chinook is a regular. and frequent visitor. Almost every farm in the county has its orchard bear ing apples, cherries, prunes, pears, plums, peaches, apri cots, etc., as well as the smaller fruits. Threshing charges are six cents for wheat and five cents for oats, the machine owners supplying everything, The humus in the soil of the Palouse country prevents the hills from washing as they do in the east. Harvesting commences about July 15 and continues till about October 15. Rain rarely falls in this period to in terfere with harvesting. Few counties in Pacific Northwestern states are more thoroughly covered by rural free postal deliveries than is Latah county. An independent telephone system, owned by farmers covers the county with a network of wires bring ing all sections into close connection at an exceptionally low cost. ^J^mTDAHoREAiTr.TiTu&TnusrCo.M^ WM "KOKPORATca JsBf> * *?? *Rm iMm!m&~iM&M^ W^0r0£fffl®m IDAHO. M %^ THOMPSON BROS. Own a complete Make Farm and set of Abstract Gity Loans on Books of Latah short notice and Gounty. at reasonable rates of interest Have a large list of Farm and Have Safety Gity Property Deposit Vaults for sale. to rent by the Write Fire Insur* ance in six of quarteror by the year the most reliable Till business companies doing given our careful business and undivided on the coast attention [a MY HOME IN IDAHO . "Gem of the Mountains," my Idaho,** With rock-ribbed valleys, lakes and streams, Endowed by Nature, in grandeur supreme, I feel you calling, and I must go. Beautiful mountains high, and prairies, Filled with riches from boundless stores, Where wild life roams in vale and up-lands Off'ring thrills my restless soul adores, In my wakeful nights and day dreams, . I hear you calling, soft and low, Your song ever lends enchantment, it seems, You're calling me back to' my Idaho. Matters it not where wanderlust calls, To foreign lands or distant seas Using the magic of Aladin, Seeking wealth, happiness, joy and ease — As a voice, small, whispers sweet calls, When thoughts turn to the loves of home The log cabin site, down by watertFalls — My Idaho's calling me, ne'er to roam. "Light on the line of the1 mountain,"* Ancient beacon beck'ning Indian man, Sacajawea, Clark and Lewis Explorers of an unknown land. Your fame is one of allurement; Bright star, lighting the place to go, To find the sweet peace and happiness sent, My home in the west we call Idaho. **White man's interpretation of the meaning of the word Idaho * Indian meaning of the word Idaho. Words by R. G. BAILEY Music by his son, BOBBY GARRY Lewiston, Idaho C<^(£.l. \«»16 "•" d k /