F 852 .H76 Copy 1 OMESEEKERS' GUIDE /^r Idaho; Oregon ^ Washington The Pacific Northwest PRICE, TWENTY- FIVE CENTS Published by HOMESEEKER PUB. CO., Spokane, Wn, HOMESEEKERS' GUIDE FOR Idaho, Oregon ^Washington Describing Vacant Government Lands: How to Enter Them — Irrigation Projects and Lands Under Them — Indian Reservations to be Opened — - Lands Within Forest Reserves Revised to May /, 1908 Copyright by E. L. Roney HOMESEEKER PUBLISHING COMPANY HUTTON BLOCK SPOKANE, WASH. UbnARY of CONliKESSf I wo Copies HeGt;iv». JUN 16 ]i^08 ^0 « 3 *f 3 INDEX. CO FY B, I'age Additional Homestead Entries 11-12 Adjoining Homestead Entries 11-12 Carey Act Jb'rojects 10-21 C'oeur d'Alene Reservation 22 Colville Reservation 22 Commutation Proofs 13 Cultivation and Residence 13-14 Government Lauds 3-7 Government Lands, by States 4-7 Government Lands. How to Enter 8-14 Indian Reservations • 21-22 Introduction 3 Irrigation 14-21 Klamath Project 10 Lemhi Indian Reservation 22 Lost River Project 21 Minidaka Project 15-16 National Forests : 23-24 Okanogan Project lG-17 Payette-Boise Project 16 Proofs, How Made . . 13 Public Lands, by States 4-7 Public Lands, How to Enter 8 Reclamation Act 14-15 Residence and Cultivation , .13-14 Second Homestead Entries 10-11 Spokane Indian Reservation 23 Sunnyside Project 17 Tieton Project 17-18 Twin Falls Project ^ 20-21 Umatilla Project *^- « . ' 18-19 Yakima Valley *;/•** 1~-18 Yakima Indian Reservation 22-23 The Pacific Northwest The resources of the Pacific Northwest, comprising the three states of Idaho, Washington and Oregon, are unex- celled by any other section of the United States. No other section offers better apportunities to the homeseelver and investor. Horticulture, agriculture, mining, lumbering and shipping are the five great industries of the northwest, and for all the resources are great. Irrigation is the magic that is making these three states among the greatest in the Union. Millions of acres of once desert land is fast being reclaimed and made productive. The lumbering and mining industries furnish employment to thou- sands of men, and the shipping business on the Pacific coast is growing rapidly. This is an opportune time for homeseekers and irTvestors to come to this country, for there are splendid opportunities awaiting all who come to the northwest with an ambition to prosper. The information given in this guide is as definite and accurate as it is possible to get. It was gathered and pre- pared after diligent and careful research. The aim of the publisher is to give to those people who are interested in the Pacific Northwest or in any part of the west a concise and reliable iglea of this country. It will acquaint the people with the country as a whole and with each section of it. More detailed information may be had by communicating with the commercial clubs of the various cities and towns. All intending settlers who come to this section will find it to their advantage to stop off at Spokane, Wash., where the Chamber of Commerce maintains a permanent .exhibit of the products of all sections of the northwest. • PUBLIC LANDS. There are approximately 50,000,000 acres of unappro- priated and unreserved public lands in the three states of Idaho, Washington and Oregon, distributed as follows: Idaho, 29,000,000 acres; Washington, 4,000,000 acres, and Oregon, 17,000,000 acres. All of this land that is surveyed, and not mineral or saline in character, not occupied for the purpose of business or trade, and that is not embraced within the limits of any with- drawal, reservation t)r incorporated city or town, is subject to homestead entry. Land that is not surveyed may be entered but not filed on, and persons who enter such lands thereby secure prior right to their claims when such land is surveyed. Homestead entries on lands within certain areas, however, such as certain ceded Indian lands, lands within abandoned military reserva- tions, and lands withdrawn under the Reclamation Act, must be entered subject to the particular requirements of the law under which such lands are opened for entry. The lands available in Idaho, Washington and Oregon, with a brief description of them, are as follows: IDAHO. Land District and County i Surveyed Unsurveyed Blackfoot : Bannock . . . . Bear Lake. . . Bingham . . . . Blaine 499,527 128,267 385,341 163,577 113,714 387,957 39,500 282.424 103,000 600.138 Mountainous and agricultural lands. Do. Do. Do. Fremont . . . . Lemhi ■. Oneida 427,368 84",i93 Mountainous and agricultural lands. Do". Do. Total 1,524,696 1,690,310 Boise : Ada Boise Canyon Elmore Idaho Owyhee Washington . 319,861 312,445 221,343 542.656 20.571 1,084.061 302.524 244.914 142.883 153.038 74.140 662.478 2.947.275 279.992 Arid, mountainous, timbered. Mountainous, timbered, mineral, graa ing. Arid and grazing. Arid, Mountainous, mineral. Mountainous, mineral, timber. Arid, mountainous, mineral, grazing. Arid, mountainous, timber, mineral. Total 2,803.461 4,504.720 Coeur d'Alene : Kootenai . . . . Latah Shoshone . . . . 456,324 7,699 395.979 1,060.697 1.193 614.923 Agricultural and timbered. Mountainous, timbered, agricultural. Agricultural, timbered, mineral. Total 860.002 1.676,813 Hailey : Bingham . . . . Blaine Cassia Custer Elmore Fremont . . . . Idaho Lemhi Lincoln Owyhee 6.520 714,997 1,140.339 164.781 114.438 17,960 2.544 147.066 556.856 86^604 69.000 1,952.158 848.645 2,603.976 92.619 65.000 929.095 2.402.111 985.591 501,712 Lava and sagebrush plains. Mountainous, grazing, sagebrush plains, (grazing, sagebrush plains. Mountainous, grazing. Do. Lava and Sagebrush plains. Mountainous, grazing. Mountainous and arid prairie. Lava and sagebrush plains. Do. X Total .... 2,952,105 10.449,907 Land District and County Surveyed Unsurveyed Lewiston : Idaho Latah ■ . . . . 295,927 23.545 323.631 13.320 2,799,079 Mountainous, timbered, agricultural. Do. Nez Perces. . . Shoshone .... 149.428 Do. Do. Total 656,423 2,948,507 State total. 8,796,687 21,270.257 WASHINGTON. North Yakima : Benton 33,040 43,280 152,320 146,640 Rolling prairie, hilly, grazing. Douglas Kittitas Yakima 245,967 274,500 Grazing, prairie, hilly, and timber. Grazing, arid prairie, and timber. Total 375,280 520,467 Olympia : Chehalis .... 1,500 370 2,680 240 40 3,080 160 685 705 Mountainous timbered lands. Do. Jefferson .... King Kitsap Lewis Mason 5',i86 Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Pacific Do. Pierce Thurston .... Do. Do. Total 9,460 5,180 Seattle : Clallam Jefferson ..... King 1 San Juan .... 4,482 120 1,645 2,142 9,285 740 2,108 1,840 11*, 680 Mountainous and broken ; good supply of excellent timber. Broken and mountainous. Do. Broken, with little timber. Skagit Snohomish . . Whatcom .... 26,000 12,880 8,923 Broken, heavily timbered, and moun- tainous. Do. Do. Total 20,522 29,030 1 61,323 Spokane : Adams Arid lands, valuable for fruit and grain. Arid lands. Douglas 1.500 386.694 4,448 114.756 3,094 711.981 Ferry Lincoln Okanogan . . . Spokane .... Stevens Whitman .... 199,761 40.080 19.584 9,020 439,645 2,905 Farming, grazing, timber and mineral. Farming and grazing. Farming, grazing, and mineral. Do. Mountainous, farming, and mineral. Grazing lands. Total 740,025 1,222.473 Land District and County 1 Surveyed Unsurveyed Vancouver : Clarke 6,905 16,030 73.308 11.131 3,215 8,434 1.082 Timbered and agricultural Cowlitz Klickitat .... Lewis Pacific 8,680 4.580 4,995 Do. Timbered, agricultural, grazing. Timbered and agricultural. Do. Skamania . . . Do. Wahkiakum . . Timbered. Total 120.105 18.255 Walla Walla: Adams 19,816 86,278 43,266 15,972 58,140 43,058 25.032 22.523 16,478 Prairie, farming, and grazing lands. Mountainous, some timber, and prairie. Desert, grazing, some timber, prairie, and farming. Mountainous, some timber, and prairie. I'rairie, grazing lands ; no timber. Farming, grazing, and timber. Grazing and farming ; some timber. Do. Asotin Benton 13,293 Columbia . . . Franklin .... 152,279 Garfield Klickitat .... 44,539 Walla Walla. Whitman . . . Prairie, farming, and grazing lands. Total 330.563 210,111 Waterville : Chelan Douglas Okanogan . . . 330,750 492,631 259,322 9.94-1 45.154 218.372 -Mountainous, timber, farming. I'rairie, farming, and grazing. Mountainous, timber, and farming. Total 1,082,703 273.470 State total. 2,678,6.58 2.311.279 OREGON. Burns : Baker 154,064 79,198 158.784 3,085.356 3,126.493 25,652 6,629.547 571,881 154,802 1 33,527 121,035 Principally grazing ; some timber. Do. Crook Grant Harney Malheur Wheeler ■ 2,880 1,549,595 2,231,484 Grazing, timber, farming. Do. Do. Do. Total La Grande : Baker Grant Morrow 3,783,959 18,112 20,363 55 per cent timbered mountains. 10 per cent arid. 25 per cent grazing, 10 per cent farming. 50 per cent timbered mountains, 35 per cent grazing. 15 per cent farming. 25 per cent timbered mountains. 40 per Umatilla .... 539 cent grazing. 25 per cent arid, 10 per cent farming. 30 per cent timbered mountains. 30 per cent arid. 35 per cent grazing, 5 per cent farming. Land District 1 and County Surveyed | Unsurreyed Union 225,323 18.358 75 per cent timbered mountains. 15 per cent grazing, 10 per cent farming. Wallowa 283,088 66.627 50 per cent timbered mountains. 45 per cent grazing. 5 per cent farming. Total 1,389,656 123,999 Lakeview : Crook 366.846 . One-tenth mountains, two-thirds agri- cultural, seven-tenths grazing. Klamath .... 155,380 100,000 Two-tenths timber, three-tenths agricul- tural, five-tenths grazing. Lake 1,733,395 681.105 Three-tenths timber, one-tenth moun- tainous, three-tenths agricultural, three-tenths grazing. Total 2,255,621 781.105 Portland : Benton 3.613 440 Broken grazing lauds. Clackamas . . 40,207 37 Timbered, farming, and grazing lands. Clatsop 1.645 4,920 Timbered and grazing lands. Columbia . . . 904 . Rolling and broken timber lands. Timber and grazing lands, broken. Lincoln 14,204 41,516 Linn 3,136 17,000 Timber and grazing lands. Marion 6,195 . Farming and timber lands, broken. Multnomah . . 735 . Timber lands. Polk 2,520 . Broken, timber, and grazing lands. Tillamook . . . 20,713 . Timber and grazing lands, broken. Washington . Yamhill " 2.292 . Bolting, timber, and grazing lands. 7,433i Do. Total 103.5971 63,913 1 Roseburg : 1 Benton 3,535 1 . Timber and grazing lands. Coos 21.6191 10.640 Timber, agricultural. Currv 43,7171 21,320 Mountainous, timber. Douglas 67,5151 20,040 Mineral, grazing, and agricultural. Jackson 109,7371 2.880 Timber, grazing, fruit. Josephine . . . 45,4151 19.360 Fruit, farming, and mining. Lane 20.7341 27,600 Timber, farming, and mining. Lincoln 2401 . Broken, grazing. Hilly, grazing. Linn 920]. 1 Total 313,4321 1 101.840 The Dalles : 1 Crook 1,185,2941 16.640 Lands in district are broken and hilly, Gilliam .... 200.5441 . and principally adapted to grazing purposes. There are some small val- Grant 44.6991. TVTorrow 71 339| . levs and some undulating table-lands Wasco 225,7441 which constitute good farming lands. ^'^heeler . . 440 0001 Greater portion is broken, hilly, and mountainous. 1 Total 2,167,620! 1 16.640 State total. 12.859.473! 4.871.456 HOW TO GET PUBLIC LAND. The following instructions are issued by the United States Land Office for the benefit of persons intending to take up public land: Persons desiring to make homestead entries should first fully inform themselves as to the character and quality of the lands they desire to enter, and should in no case apply to enter until they havie visited and fully examined each legal subdivision for which they make application, as satis- factory information as to the character and occupancy of public lands can not be obtained in any other way. Information as to whether a particular tract of land is subject to entry may be obtained from the register or receiver of the land district in which the tract is located, either through verbal or written inquiry, but these officers must not be ex- pected to give information as to the character and quality of unentered land or to furnish extended lists of lands sub- ject to entry, except through plats and diagrams which they are authorized to make and sell as follows: For a township diagram showing entered land only $1.00 For a township plat showing form of entries, names of claimants and character of entries 2.00 For a township plat showing form of entries, names of claimants, character of entry, and number 3.00 For a township plat showing form of entries, names of claimants, character "of entry, number and date of filing entry, together with topography, etc 4.00 Settlements may be made under the homestead laws by all persons qualified to make either an original or a second homestead entry, and in order to make settlenient the settler must personally go upon and improve or establish residence on the land he desires. By making settlement in this way, the settler gains an exclusive right to enter the lands settled upon as against all other persons, but not against the govern- ment should the lands be withdrawn by it for other purposes. A settlement made on any part of a surveyed technical quarter section gives the settler the right to enter all of that quarter section which is then subject to settlement, although he may not place improvements on each 40-acre subdivision; but if the settler desires to initiate a claim to surveyed tracts which form a part of more than one technical quarter section he should perform some act of settlement — that is, make some improvements — on each of the smallest legal sub- divisions desired. When settlement is made on unsurveyed lands, the settler must plainly mark the boundaries of all the lands claimed by him. Settlement must be made by the settler in person and can not be made by his agent, and each settler must, within a reasonable time after making his settlement, establish and thereafter continuously maintain an actual residence on the land, and if he, or his heirs or devisees, fail to do this, or if he, or his heirs or devisees, fail to make entry within three months from the time he first settles on surveyed lands, or within three months from the filing in the local land office of the plat of the survey of unsurveyed lands on which he made siettlement, the exclusive right of making entry on the lands settled on will be lost and the lands will become sub- ject to entry by the first qualified applicant. Soldiers' and sailors' declaratory statements may be filed in the land office for the district in which the lands desired are located by any persons who have been honorably dis- charged after ninety days' service in the army or navy of thje United States during the war of the rebellion or during the Spanish-American war or the Philippine insurrection. Declaratory statements of this character may be filed either by the soldier or sailor in person or through his agent acting under a proper power of attorney, but the soldier or sailor must make entry of the land in person, and not through his agent, within six months from the filing of his declaratory statement, or he may make entry in person without first filing his declaratory statement if he so choostes. The appli- cation to enter may be presented to the land office through the mails or otherwise, but the declaratory statement must be presented at the land office in person, either by the soldier or sailor or by his agent, and can not be sent through the mails. BY WHOM HOMESTEAD ENTRIES MAY BE MADE. Homestead entries may be made for a quarter section or less by any person who does not come within either of the following classes: (a) Married women, except as hereinafter stated. (b) Persons who have already made homestead entry, except as hereinafter stated. (c) Foreign-born persons who have not declared their intention to become citizens of the United States. (d) Persons who are the owners of more than 160 acres of land in the United States, (e) Persons under the age of 21 years who are not heads of families, except minors who make entry as heirs, as here- inafter mentioned, or who have served in the army or navy for at least fourteen days. (f) Persons who have acquired title to or are claiming under anj^ of the agricultural public land laws, through set- tlement or entry made since August 30, 1890, any other lands which, with the lands last applied for, would amount in the aggregate to more than 320 acres. A married woman, who has all of the other qualifications of a homesteader, may make a homestead entry under any one of the following conditions: (a) Where she has been actually deserted by her hus- band. (b) Where her husband is incapacitated by disease or otherwise from earning a support for his family and the wife is really the head and main support of the family. (c) Where the husband is confined in a penitentiary and she is actually the head of the family. (d) Where the married woman is the heir of a settler or contestant who dies before making entry. (e) Where a married woman made improvements and resided on the lands applied for before her marriage, she may enter them after marriage if her husband is not holding other lands under an unperfected homestead entry at the time she applies to make entry. A married woman can not make entry under any of these conditions unless the laws of the state where the lands applied for are situated give her the right to acquire and hold title to lands as a femme sole. A person serving in the army or navy of the United States may make a homestead entry if some member of his family is residing on the land applied for, and the application and accompanying affidavits may be executed before the officer commanding the branch of the service in which he is engaged. . SECOND HOMESTEAD ENTRIES. Second homestead entries for a quarter section or a smaller legal subdivision of public lands may be made, under statutes specifically authorizing such entries by the following classes of persons, if they are otherwise qualified to make entry: (a) By a former entryman who commuted his entry prior to June 5, 1900. (b) By homestead entrymen who, prior to May 17, 1900, paid for lands to which they would have been afterwards entitled to receive a patent without payment, under the "Free homes act." (c) By any homesteader who forfeited his original entry prior to April 28, 1904, for the reason that he was unable to perfect it because of some unavoidable complication in his business or personal affairs, or because he was honestly mis- taken in the character of the lands; but no such entryman is entitled to make a second entry if he relinquished his orig- inal entry for a consideration. (d) Any person who has already made final proof for less than one nundred and sixty acres under the homestead laws may, if he is otherwise qualified, make a second or additional homestead entry for such an amount of public lands as will, when added to the land for which he has already made proOi., not exceed in the aggregate 160 acres. (e) Persons whose original entries have failed through no fault of their own may, under certain circumstances, be permitted to make second entries, if they have not relin- quished their original entries for a consideration, although there is no specific statute which authorizes the making of second entries under such circumstances ADDITIONAL ENTRIES. An additional homestead entry may be made by a person for such an amount of public lands adjoining lands then held and resided upon by him under his original entry as will, when added to such adjoining lands, not exceed in the aggre- gate 160 acres. Additional entries are not allowed to those who commuted their original entries. An entry of this kind may be made by any person who has not acquired title to and is not, at the date of his application, claiming under any of the agricultural public land laws, through a settlement or entry made since August 30, 1890, any other lands which, with the lands then applied for, would exceed in the aggre- gate 320 acres. An adjoining farm entry may be made for such an amount of public lands lying contiguous to lands owned and resided upon by the applicant as will not, with the lands so owned and resided upon, exceed in the aggregate 160 acres; but no person will be entitled to make entry of this kind who is not qualified to make an original homestead entry. A homestead entry may be made by the presentation to the land office of the district in which the desired lands are situated of an application properly prepared on blank forms prescribed for that purpose and sworn to before either the register or the receiver, or before a United States commis- sioner, or a United States court commissioner, or a judge or a clerk of a court of record, in the county or parish in which the land lies, or before any officer of the classes named who resides in the land district and nearest and most acces- sible to the land, although he may reside outside of the county in which the land is situated. Each application to enter and the affidavits accompanying it must recite all the facts necessary to show that the appli- cant is acquainted with the land; that the land is not, to the applicant's knowledge, either saline or mineral in char- acter; that the applicant possesses all of the qualifications of a homestead entryman; that the application is honestly and in good faith made for the purpose of actual settlement and cultivation, and not for the benefit of any other person, persons or corporation; that the applicant will faithfully and honestly endeavor to comply with the requirements of the law as to settlement, residence and cultivation necessary to acquire title to the land applied for; that the applicant is not acting as the agent of any person, persons, corporation or syndicate in making such entry, nor in collusion with any person, corporation or syndicate to give them the benefit of the land entered or any part thereof; that the application is not made for the purpose of speculation, but in good faith to obtain a home for the applicant, and that the applicant has not directly or indirectly made, and will not make, any agreement or contract in any way or manner with any person or persons, corporation or syndicate whatsoever by which the title he may acquire from the government to the lands applied for shall inure, in whole or in part, to the benefit of any person except himself. All applications to make second homestead entries must, in addition to the facts specified in the preceding paragraph, show the number and date of the applicant's original entry, the name of the land office where the original entry was made, and the description of the land covered by it, and it should state fully all of the facts which entitle the applicant to make a second entry. All applications by soldiers, sailors, or their widows, or the guardians of their minor children should be accompanied by proper evidence of the soldier's or sailor's service and discharge, and of the fact that the soldier or sailor had not, prior to his death, made an entry in his own right. The application of the widow of the soldier or the sailor must also show that she has remained unmarried, and applications for children of soldiers or sailors must show that the father died without having made entry; that the mother died or remarried without making entry, and that the person applying to make entry for them is their legally appointed guardian. COMMUTATION. All original, second and additional homestead, and adjoin- ing farm entries may be commuted, except such entries as are made under particular laws which forbid their commu- tation. HOW PROOFS MAY BE MADE. Final or commutation proofs may be made before any of the officers mentioned previously, as being authorized to administer oaths to applicants. Any persons desiring to make homestead proof should first forward a written notice of his desire to the register and receiver of the land office, giving his postoffice address, the number of his entry, -the name and official title of the officer before whom he desires to make proof, the place at which the proof is to be made, and the name and postoffice addresses of at least four of his neighbors who can testify from their own knowledge as to facts which will show that he has in good faith complied with all the requirements of the law. Either final or commutation proof may be made at any time when it can be shown that residence and cultivation have been maintained in good faith for the required length of time, but if final proof is not made within seven years from the date of a homestead entry the entry will be canceled unless some good excuse for the failure to make the proof within the seven years is given with satisfactory final proof as to the required residence and cultivation made after the expiration of the seven years. RESIDENCE AND CULTIVATION. The residence and cultivation required by the homestead law means a continuous maintenance of an actual home on the land entered to the exclusion of a home elsewhere, and continuous annual cultivation of some portion of the land. A mere temporary sojourn on the land, followed by occasional visits to it once in six months or oftener, will not satisfy the requirements of the homestead law, and may result in the cancellation of the entry. No specific amount of either cultivation or improvements is required, but there must in all cases be such continuous improvement and such actual cultivation as will show the good faith of the entryman. Lands covered by homestead entry may be used for grazing purposes if they are more valuable for pasture than for cultivation to crops. When lands of this character are used in good faith for pasturage, actual grazing will be accepted in lieu of actual ' cultivation. Actual residence on lands entered must begin within six months from the date of all homestead entries, except addi- tional entries and adjoining farm entries of the character mentioned previously, and residence with improvements and annual cultivation must continue until the entry is five years old, except in cases hereafter mentioned, but all entrymen who actually resided upon and cultivated lands entered by them prior to making such entries may make final proof at any time after entry when they can show five years residence and cultivation. IRRIGATION. Numerous irrigation projects are under way in the Pacific Northwest, under both government and private direction. The United States Reclamation Service is taking the lead in the work and is constructing the largest canals, with one or two exceptions. The wonderful results from irrigated lands in Washington, Oregon and Idaho has attracted much private capital, which is being used to reclaim lands where the gov- ernment is not doing so. Irrigation is intensive cultivation of the soil, whereby small tracts of land are made to produce as much as the ordinary farm of 160 acres does in the east. Fruit is the chief product from the irrigated soil, the other crops being garden truck, grains, hay and alfalfa. Where hay and grain are grown much larger tracts are needed. RECLAMATION ACT. In 1902 Congress passed a law, known as the Reclamation Act, which permits the secnetary of the interior to borrow the proceeds from the sale of public lands each year in certain western states, including Idaho, Washington and Oregon, with which to construct irrigation canals. By the provisions of the Reclamation Act every land- owner under a government canal must purchase a water right from the government, which is perpetual, guaranteed by the government and which becomes appurtenant to the land. The cost of the water right depends on the entire cost of the irrigation canal, which is pro rated against each acre of land watered. The landowner is given 10 years in which to pay for his water right, without interest on deferred pay- ments. The law provides that no one shall own more than 160 acres of land under any government canal, and that he must himself reside upon the land or in the vicinity. The secretary of the interior decides how much land under each canal is necessary to afford a livelihood for the average family, and thereupon names a certain number of acres of government land which may be claimed by the siettler. This is called the farm unit, and according to the Reclamation Act it may be 40, 80, 120 or 160 acres, depending upon the productivity of the soil. A small charge per acre is assessed each year for main- taining the canal. After the greater part of the cost of the canal has been paid to the government, the canal is then turned over to the landowners. The canals which the government now owns or is build- ing in the tnree states, with a description of each, are as follows: MINIDOKA PROJECT, IDAHO. This project is in southern Idaho, and provides for the reclamation of 130,000 acres of land along both sides of the Snake river. This was all government land, but all has been taken up. In order to secure land at this time it will be necessary to buy a relinquishment. It was all taken up as homesteads and can be entered in no other way. The water right costs $22 an acre, payable in 10 annual installments, without interest. The maintenance charge, per acre per year, is from 50 cents to $1. The state lands under this project have been divided into farm units and can be bought on condition that a water right is purchased from the government. The state lands are sold at auction, the minimum price being $10 an acre. The farm units under the Minidoka project are 40 acres and 80 acres, the latter being located more than one and one- half miles from the center of a townsite. Alfalfa, timothy and clover and all grasses produced in the temperate zone can be successfully grown on these lands. Oats, wheat, barley and other cereals and fruits do well also. Three crops of alfalfa, yielding from five to eight tons an acre, 75 to 100 bushels of oats per acre, and 40 to 70 bushels of wheat per acre, can be counted upon. Water can be obtained at depths varying from 50 to 150 feet. The land must be prepared and leveled for irrigation by the newcomer, the cost of clearing being from $3 to $5 an acre. The works, consisting of a dam at Snake river and 130 miles of main and branch canals, have been completed and water is available. The soil is a deep, sandy loam, producing a thrifty growth of sage brush. The Oregon Short Line penetrates the irri- gated district. The United States Reclamation Service has an ofRce at Rupert, from where the Minidoka project is directed. PAYETTE-BOISE PROJECT, IDAHO. This project will eventually irrigate 350,000 acres of land in the valleys of the Payette, Boise and Snake rivers, in southwestern Idaho. The lands are in Ada, Canyon and Owyhee counties. Practically all of the government land under this project has been filed upon, but relinquishments may be bought for 80 acre tracts at prices ranging from $300 to $1,000 for the entire tract. About 70,000 acres of this land is now being watered, and water will be available for 50,000 acres more by the spring of 1909. The water right under this project will cost, according to the estimate of the engiiieers. $25 per acre, to be paid in 10 annual installments without interest. Payment to commence after the water is ready for delivery. The farm unit is 80 acres. The lands under the Payette-Boise canal lie at an eJeva- tion between 2100 feet and 2800 feet. The soil is volcanic, largely free from rocks. Alfalfa, clover and grains are among the crops raised, while berries and deciduous fruits thrive. Sugar beet growing is becoming an important industry in the district. The climate is similar to that in other arid districts of the northwest — long, warm summers and compara- tively mild winters. From five to seven tons of alfalfa in three cuttings, and from four to six tons of clover, are the usual yields. Wheat averages 40 bushels an acre and oats 70 bushels an acre. Deeded lands with water rights are worth $25 to $50 an acre for raw lands and between $50 and $125 an acre for the improved land. The complete plans for this project include the use of both the Payette and Boise rivers and the construction of extensive storage works at the head of each stream. The construction of the system is being done by units and it will be several years before the entire project is completed. The office of the United States Reclamation Service for the Payette-Boise district is at Caldwell. The office of the Payette-Boise Water Users' Association is also at Caldwell. OKANOGAN PROJECT, WASHINGTON. The Okanogan project will water 10,000 acres surrounding the town of Okanogan, in Okanogan county, north central Washington. Fifteen hundred acres of this land has been under private irrigation for several years, and the water right to this will be perfected and continued by the govern- ment. There is but little government land to be had under this canal. The soil is a volcanic ash, adapted to fruit growing. The elevation is between 800 feet and 1400 feet, and the country has long, hot summers, and mild winters, similar to the Yakima country. The farm unit under the Okanogan project is 40 acres. The Great Northern railroad is at present the only one that penetrates the country, but other lines are either in course of construction or projected. Fruit is the chief product of the Okanogan irrigated lands^ it having been successfully grown there for several years. Hay, vegetables and small fruits are also grown. The canal is now completed and the reservoir is nearing completion. Water will be available for all the land in 1909. Land can be bought at prices ranging from $75 to $250 an acre. YAKIMA VALLEY, WASHINGTON. In the Yakima valley, in south central Washington, the United States government proposes to reclaim upwards of 400,000 acres of land. This will be done by a series of projects which it is planned to unite ultimately into one great system. The government now owns two canals, completed, in the Yakima valley and has four others surveyed. One of these, the Tieton canal, will be completed in 1909. The Sunnyside canal, which is now in operation, was originally built by a private company and bought by the gov- ernment. It now waters 60,000 acres, and is being enlarged and extended to take in 30,000 acres more. There are 3,000 acres of government land under the Sunnyside canal which is not now open to entry, but which will be later, when the canal is completed, which may be in 1909. The unit is 80 acres. The water right costs $50 an acre. Homestead lands held in private ownership may be negotiated for the same as any other lands, at prices ranging from $25 an acre up, without water rights. The soil is a light volcanic ash. The elevation in the Sunnyside valley is between 700 and 800 feet. A branch line of the Northern Pacific and the main line of the proposed North Coast run through the Sunnyside valley. Fruit, hay and vegetables are the chief crops. TIETON PROJECT. The Tieton canal will be completed in 1909, according to present expectations. It will water 24,000 acres immediately west of the city of North Yakima. The soil is volcanic ash, and the elevation of the country between 1000 feet and 1200 feet. There are about 2500 acres of government land which will be thrown open when the canal is completed. There is some state land which may be bought. The water right under the Tieton canal will cost in the neighborhood of $60 an acre, with 40 acres the farm unit. Fruit will be the chief crop, the Tieton lands being well located for fruit raising. The lands are tributary to the main lines of the Northern Pacific and the North Coast railroad, and the North Yakima & Valley road penetrates the country under the canal. Aside from the government canals on the Yakima Indian reservation, which will water about 150,000 acres of land, none of the other government projects has been started, though all have been surveyed. They are the Kittitas canal, in Kittitas county, which will water about 38,000 acres; and the Benton project, which will water 180,000 acres between the Columbia and Yakima rivers. The United States Reclamation Service has headquarters at North Yakima and an oflEice at Sunnyside. Unimproved raw lands in the Yakima valley sell at prices ranging from $75 an acre to $300 an acre. Unimproved lands without water right, under the Tieton canal, from $25 to $250, UMATILLA PROJECT, OREGON. The Umatilla irrigation project will water 20,000 acres of land immediately south of the Columbia river and east of the Umatilla rivers in Oregon. Water will be available for 7000 acres by June 1, 1908. It cannot be stated now when the balance of the land will be given water. All of the land under the canal is in Umatilla county. There are 2000 acres of government land, but this will not be thrown open this year. All of the Umatilla irrigation district lies below 550 feet. The soil is a sandy loam of light texture, such as has proven suitable for fruit in other sections of the northwest. Between leight and ten inches is the average yearly rainfall. The country is a rolling sage brush plain, requiring leveling of the land for irrigation. The farm unit at Umatilla has been fixed at 10, 20 and 40 acres, according to the distance from the town of Herniis- ton, which is the center of the district. The water right will cost $60 per acre. Land can be bought without water right at prices ranging from $50 to $200 per acre. The Umatilla district has good markets and good trans- portation facilities. The two large cities of Portland to the west and Spokane to the east are within 200 miles of the irrigated district. The main line of the O. R. & N. company traverses the western part of the district, while the Spokane branch of the same road traverses the north section along the Columbia river. The new line of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle traverses the north bank of the Colmnbia within easy reach of the irrigated district. xne water for the canal is taken from the Umatilla river at Echo, several miles south of the irrigated section, and is carried by canal to the reservoir site at Cold Springs, from where it is distributed over the land. The government head- quarters are at Hermiston, the metropolis of the district. KLAMATH PROJECT, OREGON. The Klamath project contemplates the reclamation of 190,000 acres of land in southern Oregon and northern Cali- fornia by both irrigation and drainage. The lands are all in Klamath county, Oregon, and in Modoc and Siskiyou counties, California. The valleys and uplands will be irrigated, while the swamp lands and parts of Lower Klamath and Tule lakes will be drained. Most of the land that will be irrigated is held in private ownership, but in such large tracts that it will have to be subdivided under the law, which will not allow any one land- owner to own more than 160 acres, and perhaps less. The government lands are, at present, withdrawn from entry. The government lands in California which will come under the project are under the jurisdiction of the land offices at Su&an- ville and Redding, and those in Oregon are under the jurisdic- tion of the office at Lakeview. The Klamath project is divided into two parts, known as the "upper" and the "lower." The upper project fakes its water supply from the Lost river, with Clear lake as a storage reservoir. The lands are in Langell's the Yonna and upper Po,e valleys. The lower project includes the lands in the Klamath and the lower Foe valleys and the lower Klamath and Tule lakes. Upper Klamath lake is the source of water supply for the lower project. The government headquarters are at Klamath Falls, Oregon. CAREY ACT PROJECTS. By the terms of the Carey Act, the LTnited States govern- ment gives to certain of the arid states for public settlement a large tract of government land on condition that the state furnish water with which to irrigate this land. The state may itself build a canal, or may enter into a contract with a private company to do so. These lands are then thrown open to settlement, with the provision that each person who files upon a tract of the land must purchase a water right. All citizens of the United States 21 years of age and over, except married women, may take up land under the Carey Act. The state land board conducts the opening of the land for entry. Lands remaining after the first drawing may be entered at any time. The price of the land is differ- ent under different canals, depending on the cost of the canal. The first payment, made at the time of filing, is 25 cents an acre for the land, and $3 an acre for the water. The second and last payment of 25 cents per acre on the land is made at the time of making final proof. The balance of the pay- ments on the water right is made in nine annual installments. Interest on deferred payments is six per cent. The Carey Act permits one person to file upon land for another. Planting and irrigating may be done by contract. The law requires that an entryman must establish a residence upon the land within six months after water is available and maintain such residence until final prcfof has been made. The fact that one has used his homestead, desert or other right to public land does not interfere with his filing under the Carey Act. One may file on either 40, 80, 120 or 160 acres. Piling on less than 160 acres does not exhaust the Carey Act right. One still has the right to make additional entries until 160 acres are secured. Final proof may be made at any time after reclaiming ; one-eighth of the land and within three years. After final *"*. .' proof has been obtained, residence is no longer required to ...*'* hold title to the land. The only Carey Act projects in the Pacific Northwest are in Idaho. They are the Twin Falls project, in southern Idaho, and the Big Lost River project, in central Idaho. TWIN FALLS PROJECT. The Twin Falls project originally contemplated the reclamation of 420,000 acres of arid land on both sides of the Snake river in southern Idaho. The land on the south "side of the river, comprising 240,000 acres, has practically all been filed upon and has been in cultivation for three years. The north side tract, comprising 180,000 acres, is now open for entry. About 60,000 acres are yet vacant. This land is all in Lincoln county, bordering on the Snake river. The soil is volcanic ash, quite deep. The land is rolling, and requires leveling for irrigation. The cost of clearing the land of sage brush and preparing it for irrigation is about $5 an acre. The cost of irrigating each year varies between 50 cents and $1 an acre. The soil and climate are both favorable for profitable crops of Jtiay, wheat, oats, fruit and vegetables. Wheat averages 50 bushels to the acre and oats average 80 bushels. Sugar beat culture is successful. An electric railroad is projected through the north side tract to connect with the Oregon Short line road on the north. Milner, at the extreme east end of the north side tract, is on the Twin Falls branch line of the Oregon Short Line. The price of the land under the Twin Falls project has been fixed at $35.50 by the Idaho state land board. Of this, 50 cents per acre for the land goes to the state and $35 per acre to the Twin Falls North Side Land & Water company, which is building the canal. LOST RIVER PROJECT. The Lost River project, in central Idaho, will irrigate 80,000 acres of land in Blaine, Bingham and Fremont counties. Water is now available for a part of this land. The prices of these lands are $25.50 an acre and $30.50 an acre, including permanent water right. The soil is a volcanic ash with some gravel. Grains of all varieties, alfalfa, timothy, hay, clover, sugar beets and fruits are the products. A branch of the Oregon Short Line runs through the entire tract from Black- foot to Mackay. Hot summers and mild winters is the climate of the region. The Big Lost River Land & Irrigation Company is con- structing the irrigation canal for the state. INDIAN RESERVATIONS. There are numerous Indian reservations in Idaho, Wash- ington and Oregon. Many of them are small and of no public interest for the reason that nothing definite has been done toward opening the unallotted portions of them to the public. Those to which general interest attaches and which will be thrown open to public settlement in the near future are given here. It is impossible for the government to state any length of time in advance on what date a certain reservation is to be opened because of the many details which surround the opening of such large tracts of government land. Acts have already been passed by Congress permitting the opening of the reserves given herewith, but no definite date has been set for any of them. By an act of Congress the lands of deceased Indians may be sold, the sale being conducted by the government. Such lands are sold under sealed bids. An act has been passed, also, allowing Indians on some reservations to sell a part of their allotments, but this is not yet effective. On all of the reservations the Indians are allowed to lease their lands to white people, and this is done to a large extent. Most of the lands held by the Indians are rich agricultural lands, and are made productive by the thrifty white people. These lands may be leased for a very small amount per acre. Inquiries along these lines should be addressed to the agents or superintendents in charge of the various reservations. COEUR D'ALENE RESERVATION, IDAHO. Comprises 510,000 acres of land in northern Idaho. About 400.000 acres will be open to settlement, of which 100.000 acres is good agricultural land. The remaining land is most- ly covered with 'timber, but is valuable for the timber on it. As far as known, there is no mineral land in the Coeur d'Alene reservation. Allotments to the Indians were begun in the spring of 1908. This work likely will require a year. The remaining lands will then be classified as agricultural, grazing, timber and they must then be appraised. The reservation probably will not be opened beiore 1910. Entry will be made under the homestead and mineral laws, and the lottery system will likely be used. Tekoa, Wash., is the headquarters for the reservation. LEMHI RESERVATION, IDAHO. Comprises 64,000 acres in Demhi county, Idaho. Land has been appraised, but surveys are not completed. Opening may take place this year. COLVILLE RESERVATION, WASHINGTON. Embraces 1,000,000 acres in Okanogan and Ferry coun- ties in northeastern Washington. Will he opened under the homestead and mineral laws, timber land to be sold to the highest bidder. Some lands on the reservation will be dis- posed of under the reclamation law. Lands have not been classified or appraised. Will not be opened before 1909, and perhaps later. The lands will be classified as irrigable, graz- ing, timber, mineral, and arid. YAKIMA RESERVATION, WASHINGTON. Comprises 1,145,000 acres in Yakima and Klickitat coun- ties, in south central Washington. Will be opened under the homestead and mineral laws, except about- 100,000 acres, which will be opened subject to the Reclamation Act, as the government is now constructing an irrigation canal on the reservation which will water that much of the land. Timber lands will be sold under sealed bids. All surveys are com- pleted and all allotments made, but the surplus lands have not yet been appraised. It probably will be a year before the Yakima reservation is opened. SPOKANE RESERVATION, WASHINGTON. A bill was passed by the last congress authorizing the opening of the Spokane Indian reserve, comprising about 64,- 000 acres of agricultural and timber lands in Stevens county, Washington. Most of the surplus land on the Spokane re- serve is timber land, and probably will be made a national forest, and therefore not subject to entry. There will be, however, some first-class agricultural land for entry when the reserve is opened, which will not be for a year at least. There are no Indian reservations in Oregon to be opened in the near future. NATIONAL FORESTS. Lands within the national forests that are suitable for agriculture are subject to homestead entry. Settlers who wish to select lands within the reserves must make application to the supervisor of the reserve in which they wish to file, whereupon such land will be examined by the supervisor, and if in his opinion it is suitable for agriculture, he may so recommend to the forestry department that it may be listed for entry. No one has a preferred right to entry upon such lands ex- cept a qualified settler, who, prior to January 1, 1906, occupied the lands, and the person upon whose application the lands were examined and listed. Persons who make subsequent applications to have the lands listed acquire no preferred right of entry because of their application. The original set- tler upon the lands holds the preference of filing upon it for 60 days. During that period, no one else is permitted to en- ter such lands. If neither the original settler upon the lands, nor the person by whose application the lands are listed for entry, enter upon the land within the 60 days, then the lands are subject to entry by any qualified entryman. Areas which were temporarily withdrawn as a part of some forest reserve, but which have been found not necessary for forestry purposes, may be settled upon as homesteads after 60 days public notice, and may be entered upon after they have been subject to settlement for 30 days. That is, lands which are restored to entry from the forest reserves, are published for 60 days. After that time they may be set- tled upon for a^ period of 30 days, and may then be entered as a homestead. The national forests in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon are as follows : IDAHO. Bear River, 415,360 acres; Bitter Root, 3,860,960 acres; Big Hole, 304,140 acres; Caribou, 733,000 acres; Cabinet, 494,- 560 acres; Cassia, 326,160 acres; Coeiir d'Alene, 2,331,280 acres; Henry's Lake, 798,720 acres; Kootenai, 165,242 acres; Lemhi, 1,344,800 acres; Palouse, 3 94,404 acres; Payette, 1,460,- 960 acres; Port Neuf, 99,508 acres Pocatello, 49,920 acres; Priest River, 815,100 acres; Raft River, 293,044 acres; Salmon River, 1,879,680 acres; Sawtooth, 3>340,160 acres; Weiser, 1,126,429 acres; Yellowstone, 303,000 acres. WASHINGTON. Colville, 869,520 acres; Olympic, 1,594,560 acres; Priest River, 406,520 acres; Ranier, 2,565,760 acres; Washington, 6,310,740 acres; Wenaha, 318,400 acres. OREGON. Ashland, 172,800 acres; Blue Mountains, 3,549,700 acres; Bull Run, 142,080 acres; Cascade, 5,886,840 acres; Coquille, 148,317 acres; Fremont, 1,235,720 acres; Goose Lake, 630,000 acres; Heppner, 292,176 acres; Imnaha, 782,720 acres; Sis- kiyou, 1,132,582 acres; Tillamoonk, 175,518 acres; Umpqua, 798,400 acres; Wenaha, 494,942 acres. The Mercantile Press 171 s. Post St., Spokane LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 137 482 ;»! ^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 137 482 •