The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-05-02
HOW ABOUT YAKIMA?
Why, It's the Banner Section Of Cen.
tFsl Washington.
\ COuntry That IL ns Fruitful ne the
Favored Portions Of California
with Climate Far Superior.

Pacific coast whose claims upon thu
future are made with supporting facts
none present better Inducements 10 tho
settler and to investment than the Yak
ina country.
Owing to the lack Of transportation "a,
Cilities in the past and its great distance
from the older and more thickly settled
portions Of the Union its peculiar charac.
teristics as u country have not, until the
past few years, been known except to a
favored few. But Of late. with the great
influx Of immigration, Its balmy climate,
prolific soil and adaptability, from a rail-
road, manufacturing, and agricultural
standpoint, to becoming thickly settled
and wealthy section, is being fast dissem-
mated. The following excerpts from an
article in the Portland West Shore, will
give an idea Of how "The Great Yakima"
Is viewed with other eyes than those
which, on account Of their greater knowl-
edge Of present conditions and future
possibilities, are wholly and thoroughly
hound up in Yakima:
"North Yakima Is the name Of -four
ishing young city Of fully two thousand
inhabitants, situated in the very central
portion Of Washington territory, on the
west side Of the Yakima river, near its
confluence with the Natchecz, and in one
Of the most promising valleys in the west.
II Is not yet four years Of age, but from
commanding position which it occupies
with reference to the surrounding rich
country its growth thus far has been
rapid, and all indications point to still
greater prosperity in the future.
''In order that there may be definite
conception of-the region under considera-
ton let the reader understand that the
Yakima country, Of which the city Of
North Yakima Is the central and chief
commercial center, comprises that part Of
Washington lying between the Cascade
mountains on the west and the Colum-
bia river on the east, drained by the Yak
ina river and its tributaries. 1t includes
thirteen valleys, besides large area Of
table land and hilly timber land, and
also takes in a considerable portion Of the
broad plain Of the Columbia. The main
stream that drains this region Is the
Yakima river, which takes 1t rise in two
or three small lakes near the crest Of the
Cascades and meanders down the noun
tains and through the valleys in south
easterly general course, joining the mighty
Columbia a few miles above its conflu-
ence with the Snake, which comes from
the opposite direction. From source to
mouth this Is q rapid stream, having an
average fall Of fully twenty feet TO the
mile. It receives a number Of tributaries
from both sides so that when 1t emerges
from the foot hills and enters the great
Columbia plain it is a river Of no mean
volume.
One Of the principal merits Of this Yak
lima country Is feature that Is a serious
drawback to many sections, viz: the ne
cessity for irrigation in order TO success
fully prosecute farming operations. A
small portion Of this country does not
need irrigation but is so essential to any
thing like complete development Of the
region that II forms one Of the chief ques-
tons for the consideration Of the prospect
i've immigrant. In the immediate valleys
Of the streams the soil Is Of light vol
canic ash combined with alluvium and
in 4 wild state grows chiefly sage bruch.
The bench lands carry heavier soil,
though its constituent Ingredients are not
greatly different from that Of the valleys,
and grow both sage brush and bunch
grass, the latter predominating and on
the higher benches being entirely alone.
Except along the immediate margins Of
the streams this land needs the fructify.
ing influence Of irrigation to make It pro-
ductive. Perfect irrigation may be OBJ
tanned so easily and kept within such
complete control at all times that il Is
deemed better than the natural rainfall
Of any region, and to those who can un-
derstand the peculiar character Of the
country this feature needs no commeu-
dation.
All the streams Of the Yakima country
supply irrigation for greater or less
number Of farmers. The farmers them
selves at very small expense provide
their own irrigation bitches in most in |
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