as contained in farms, the average size of which was 183.4 acres. As is common with irrigated lands, intensive farming is the rule, and the soil being very fertile when sufficiently watered, the yield of all crops is very abundant. Hay and forage is the most extensive and valuable crop, the annual acreage for which increased over two and a half times in the last decade of the nineteenth century. Over a third is alfalfa. In the same period the acreage devoted to cereals increased over threefold. Wheat constituted 72 per cent. of the cereal crop for 1899. Oats, barley, and flaxseed are of less importance, and corn is scarcely raised at all. The western part of Idaho, particularly the Boise Basin, is becoming noted for its fruits and vegetables. Apples and prunes are the chief varieties of orchard fruits.
Stock-Raising. Thus far, however, it has been the grazing rather than the farming facilities which have been most extensively utilized. There are 25,000,000 acres of pasture land in the State. In the northern and the mountainous parts of Idaho considerable expense is incurred in stock-raising, owing to the shortness of the summers and the depth of the winter snow. Herders and packers who use mules and horses in the northern mountains through the summer season withdraw to the valley of the Snake River to winter their stock. Along the Snake River, on both sides, there are numerous valleys where winters are not severe enough to prevent cattle and horses from picking up a living for themselves. In the decade ending with 1900 large gains were made in every variety of domestic animals. Sheep are the most important, having produced wool to the value of $2,210,790 in 1899. The following tables show the relative importance and increase of the different varieties of crops and domestic animals:
| Hay and forage, acres |
Wheat, acres |
Oats, acres |
Barley, acres |
Corn, acres |
Potatoes (Irish), acres | |
| 1900 | 513,656 | 266,305 | 64,739 | 32,798 | 4,582 | 9,313 |
| 1890 | 190,501 | 63,704 | 21,997 | 10,004 | 1,362 | 3,721 |
| Dairy cows |
Meat cattle |
Horses | Mules and asses |
Sheep | Swine | |
| 1900 | 51,929 | 311,605 | 170,120 | 2,155 | 1,965,467 | 114,080 |
| 1890 | 27,278 | 192,153 | 84,135 | 1,012 | 357,712 | 32,188 |
Manufactures. The manufacturing industry, though not large, is making a vigorous growth. The value of products increased 283 per cent. during the last decade (1890-1900). Flour-milling is of some importance; but the sawing of lumber is the principal industry. The census for 1900 gives the following figures: Number of establishments, 591; capital, $2,941,524; wage-earners, 1477; wages, $862,088; value of products, $4,020,532.
Transportation. The Oregon Short Line, passing through the southern part of the State, offers good railroad facilities to the Snake River Valley. The northern portion of the State is also well provided for by the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific lines. But the great central portion of the State is without railroads. The development of mines within this section has stimulated the construction of wagon roads and trails, but these are altogether inadequate to the needs of the district. The total railway mileage of the State was 1271 miles in 1899.
Banks. October 31, 1900, there were 15 national banks, 10 of which were in operation. Capital stock, $575,000; outstanding circulation, $218,976. Deposits, September 5, 1900, $3,937,423; reserve held, $1,643,497. On June 30, 1900, there were 8 State banks, with a capital aggregating $185,500; deposits, $537,902; resources, $781,465. There were also 6 private banks with resources aggregating $329,320; capital, $81,665; and deposits, $210,693.
Government. Idaho became a State under its present Constitution, adopted by a convention held August 6, 1889. An amendment may be proposed in either branch of the Legislature, and if agreed to by two-thirds of all the members of each House is submitted to the people, and becomes a part of the Constitution if approved by a majority of the electors. If demanded by two-thirds of the members of each House, the question of calling a constitutional convention is submitted to the people, where it is decided by a majority of the electors voting. Suffrage is granted to both male and female citizens who have resided in the State six months, in the county thirty days, and are registered. There are various offenses which cause disqualification for the right of suffrage, among which are plural marriage, or in any manner teaching . . . or encouraging any person to enter into plural marriage, or membership in any organization which encourages it.
Legislative. The number of State Senators cannot exceed 24, nor the Representatives 60, both being elected from counties or districts composed of contiguous undivided counties for the term of two years. The Legislature meets on the first Monday after the first day of January of even years, and at other times when convened by the Governor. Bills for raising revenue must originate in the Lower House. Members receive $5 per day and mileage, but the per diem allowance cannot exceed $300 for any one session.
Executive. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney-General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction are elected for two years at the time and places of voting for members of the Legislature. The Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney-General constitute a board of pardons. A vetoed bill or item of an appropriation bill is carried over the Governor's head by a two-thirds vote of the members present in each House.
Judicial. The Senate constitutes a court for the trial of impeachments, the Lower House having the sole power of impeachment. The Supreme Court consists of three justices, elected by the State at large for a term of six years. The
