The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-07-11
Irrigation, YaEIna'. l.Is.-PIooa.

EDTToR HERALD Yakima lies In q re-
gion where rain cannot be depended upon
TO produce vegetation. Only through
efectual and thorough irrigation can the
latent properties Of Yakima's soil be
brought forth to produce luxuTiant veg
citation. It is 80 situated that an album
dant and never failing supply Of water
could be made to follow through every
street. Surrounded a. It is by large
rivers, few places have its advantages fOE
irrigation.
Its soil only needs water and then one
would be surprised at what can be grown.
The slope Of the land lie good % that
water can dow quite easily. In . dry
country land without water is useless and
worth nothing. The bringing Of water
upon such land gives 1t at once q market
value and makes 1t available to produce
heritage.
Yakima is in a dry region; without
water it will die. Every man who has
property or is interested in property here
and desires to zee 1t increase in value
should take an active interest in the sub.
JET Of irrigation. We need to have more
bitches and the water must be taken
from the larser streams, as in case Of q
very dry season the smaller streams are
very liable to fail.
We have enough land here which, II
properly irrigated and cultivated, would
produce all that is needed for home con-
sumption and much for shipment and
would prevent all fears Of shortage.
With plenty Of water We can produce an
abundance Of good and cheap food instead
oil having to depend upon others ut 4 dis
lance to produce it for us.
Do we want this town to grow? Do We
want To ste ii become 4 large and pros
porous city in few years? Then let US
increase the number Of our bitches and
bring all the water possible on the land.
have spent thirty ,eRrs in an irrigated
county; have surveyed and taken con-
tracts for making many bitches and thor
oughly understand the subject OF iTTisa-
ton, and therefore know what country
with such soil and opportunities for irTiyA-
ting Us this has can become. See what
parts Of Colorado, through, I'M CATION have
bten made. Look ut salt Lake valley.
AT first nothing but sage brush desert,
it now produces nearly all the heart could
desire. The Bear river canal in Utah,
soon to be built, will, At the least esti-
mate, place 4 value on land Of twenty
millions, and we have just rs good oPpOr-
tunities for making large canals here. II
we cannot at present make them Of the
size we should like We can make them
smaller and enlarge them rs we have the
means. Get canals, even II small, and
you will find that ii will not be much
trouble to enlarge them as needed. This
Is a new country, and very few Of tine
people understand the subject Of irTiga-
ton. There Is need Of some man who
understands the subject to oversee the
making Of canals rs very many costly
mistakes are made by the unskilled.
Through properly constructed canals all
the wenas co'.ntry and all the district
above Mckee could be reclaimed. Acanal
could be made to irrigAte the Wide Hol-
low district. / have spent considerable
time In thoroughly examining this coun-
try and as | have gone around have kept
my eyes open to see where canals could
he made and how the most country could
be Watered at the least expense.
The late fires at Seattle aud Ellens-
bursh warn u TO think Of water for use
IN case Of lire. We have one Of the finest
opportunities for Waterworks Of any
place have ever seen. Let Us be ready
to drown any FIRE that may occur with
food Of water.
l have been asked by prominent men
Of this city how water is controlled and
trouble saved to the mass Of people
needing the same, and will say in reply:
We have In Utah statute 10 govern iTTi-
cation districts would recommend the
same here, il this territory has no statute
to govern such. Organize into irrigation
districts, and elect number Of trustees
and other necessary officers. They have
the power to appoint the water-master, to
controlled the flow, and to see that Ell get
their proper share. That saves trouble |
and strife. JONI BoNp.