The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-23
IRRIGATION IN YAKIMA.
Jack Rabbits and So gebrush Are Being
Crowded Out-OIn Nakima RANKING.

Jack Rabbits and So gebrush Are Being
Crowded Out-Oid Yakima Reviving.
NORTH YAKIMA, Dec. 22.-[specIal THE sub
ject of irrigation in this county is still one of
absorbing interest, and the means of retaining
arid lands is a continued source of inquiry and
endeavor with the people of Yakima who are
convinced by practical denomination that no
land is more prolific in production than the
volcanic ash OF this section when once brought
underk he fructfying influences of water. That
irrlgating these desert lands is one of the surest
ways of creating wealth is evidenced by the con-
fdence with which capitalists, who have in-
yestigated this question, are putting their money
into irrigation enterprises. And IL is not only
capitalists who recognize and are taking ndyau-
tage of this means of accommodating riches, for
the enactment of practical irrigation measures
by the state, similar TO the Wright law Of Cali
fornia. has placed it W thin the province OF the
actual filters of the soil to thus improve their
holdings by the formation of irrigation districts
and authority through vote 10 levy taxes and
issue bonds Tor the construction OF irriggtiug
canals
several of such districts have been formed in
this county, and one, the COwyehie and wide
Hollow irrigation district, will on tho 9th of
January vote on the question of issuing bonds
TO the amount of $4,000 for the purpose of con-
structing irrigating canals and works, and ac-
Quiring necessary property aud rights therefor.
This district lies directly west of North IaKlma,
and the engineers VINO nave Deel running the
lines for the main canal estimate that 10000
acres of land viii be reclaimed by this means.
The proposition is almost certain 10 carry, for the
settlers have fully considered the matter, AMI
realize that much of the aud which is now un-
productive and has market value OF from s. to
$40 per acre. will. when waere ;, readily sell for
from so 10 slo0 per acre, aud when cultivated,
produce large returns on these valuations. The
land to be reclaimed is now the uurs ~ of the
sagebru.h aud the home OF the jack rabbit but
when irrigated by the waters OF the Matches
and the Nile will be transformed into hop yards,
orchards aud gardens. and viii be execiled by
none in productvensss.
Two hundred and fifty men and teams are
now employed in the construction Of tae last
eight miles of katz < : Iitn's contract on the
Northern Pacific and Yakima canal through the
suunvside country The canal is slX-y-iOGr
feet wide on the top and OF sufficient depth 10
foat good sized barges. Seventeen miles of the
work is already completed and II was thought
that work would be abandoned Tor the winter,
hut instructions were recently received from
headquarters 70 prosecute the work with all the
yisor possible and the contractors are making
every effort 10 have the first twenty-five miles OF
the canal in readiness 10 receive water early IN
the spring The company has already disposed
of about 10000 acres OF It's land under the
glitch" mainly III tracts OF from twenty 10
forty acres in extent and ii contracts to furnish
side is one of the most favored sections OF
the Yakima country and among the purchasers
are many Italians who thoroughly understand
yiticulture and viii set out large yards OF wine
and table grapes, which grow 10 peFlecnon IL
that district 49,,
Yakima CITY, that monumental ruin when
WAS the result OF the Northern Pacific srapacliy,
Is again beginning 10 look mp New vlgoF mas
been iustiIled into those who remained Win
the O.d Town, and property which has lain
dormant ever since the spring OF LS>o, when the
rush WAS made TO North Yakima, IS changing
hands so frequently and a. such satisfactory
figures as 10 indicate the REMUNERATION OF
boom CAPTAIN J. u. Thomas. al fsNlmas, bss
associated some Seattle capitalists Win MN
and they are quietly getting hold OF town iotS
and out!ying lands. ,Sidetyaeks have recently
heen graded there and at last the Northern Ia
eide has promised depo: facilities. ms IS nor
all the peopls of that town have - De thankful
for as an electric road Is 10 be built between
these two points The surveys have a!ready
heen made aud the work OF grading VIII oee'h
in A week from this date. In this enterprise
Seattle capitsl 10 also interested and II i os-
ueyei that the road will greatly enhance prop
erty valuations along the line and ST noih ends'
The initial intention is 10 build ROAD iouf
miles long, but those who are actve!Y III TIE
scheme claim that next summer Extensions
will bs made up the fertile Ahtanum Ns1Is!
and down through the sunnyside country
A Lovely Christmas GIFT
Can bs selected from the mammoth stock OF U.
f Pettis & Co. from 10 cents 10 Sl,@0
-. g., ,y,,s and cakes at PiperA