Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-03-19
Kittitas Valley, Yakima County.

FOR Iertlllty OF SOIL, Sa.uDrlty Ol
climate, beauty of scenery, Kittitas
is unsurpassed by any Of the numer-
GUS valleys that nestle in the bosom
of the Cascade mountains. Run
ming in a north westerly direction, it
is about 35 miles long by Is miles
wide, with a gentle fall toward the
Southeast. The Wenachie noun
tains tower up on its north-side, GOV.
cred with perpetual SHOWS, at who's
base are located some valuable gold
mines. On the southwest, old Rain
ier lifts up its snow-cappod head
looking down upon us over tumb-
ling sea of hills; pine-clad noun
tains lift their granite fringes to the
skies. On the east low chain of
hills screen us from the piercing
winds that blow over the Palouse
country. Thus we are protected
on all sides from the severe storms
and waves of cold weather which
frequently sweep over more exposed
portions of the Territory. The first
settlers were herders, who had it in
their quiet possession for many years,
owing largely to its seclusion, In
dian troubles and misrepresentation.
To emigrants inquiring for lands, it
was described as rocky inhospi-
table country-Winters long and ter
rible, the snow remaining on the
ground for months, seven feet deep
in fact good for nothing but for
Summer range for cattle. But peo-
pie have opened their eyes to the
deception, and are beginning to
come in. Had not the late Indian
war in Oregon occurred, all the val.
liable lands in the valley would have
been taken up ere this. AT present
there are thousands of acres of both
Government aud Railroad lands
open for settlement; but before the
end of this year. they will probably
be all taken up. There are three
kinds of lands from which the settler
may take his choice-the sagebrush,
bunch grass and rye grass lands.
Tho latter is becoming rather scarce.
The largest and richest body of va
cant land is near Kittitas Post Office
in the southeast part of the valley.
1t would have all been occupied be-
fore this time but for the lack of wa
ter to irrigate it. But the Post.
master at the above place, an exper-
fenced farmer, raised there last year
a good crop of grain without irrisa-
ton. Another farmer living near
the foothills, on bunch-grass lands,
raised fine crop of oil kinds of veg
etables without irrigating any; and
the conviction is gaining ground
among intelligent and experienced
farmers that irrigation is not so es-
sential as at first supposed. The
fall of Summer rain for the last
three years has been perceptibly on
the increase, and will undoubtedly
become heavier in proportion as the
land becomes more under cultiva-
ton. At present but mere frac-
ton of the valley is titled. Its ca
pacities for the production of grain
and vegetables Of all kinds are enor-
nous. Wheat averaged last year
about 40 bushels to the acre. some
went up even as high as so bushels.
Corn yields we'll, considering the lot
itude. As far as experience goes,
fruit-trees of all kinds do we'll.
Some very fine apples were grown
here last year. Along the river
bottom, fruit cannot be raised ow-
| ing to Spring frosts nipping the
buds. This valley is better watered
than the Palouse country is, being
traversed by several fine creeks,
whose waters are sweet and cool all
the year round. A great number OF
small rivulets flow in all directions,
being fed by the melting SHOWS in
the mountains, which. however, with
few exceptions dry up in July and
August. Fine perennial springs
gush out of the ground. almost eve
rywhere, which, after running few
miles, disappear in the earth again
Wherever wells are dug, water OF
excellent quality is generally found
at the depth of II or IA feet. Be
,,aes hpino hetter watered. Ii is also