The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-11
EASTERN WASHINGTON TREES.


Necessity of Planting Orchards and For
ests for Profit and Health.
By Professor E. R. Lake, of the Agricultural
College.
The growth of forest belts has been IA
vorably shown by numerous farmers who
have within the past few years planted
belts varying from ten to forty acres. And
II is found that wide range of trees
AXE reasonable growth. For much of
our section this phase of the subject is
already settled, save perhaps in SO far as
coniferous trees are concerned. Most of
the forest tree plantations to date are of
deciduous trees. Some evergreens ought
to be introduced. More and larger plant
ings ought to be made. Especially ought
the nut-bearing trees TO be represented in
the forest plantations that two objects
may be attained in one operation-timber
belts and nut production.
In orchard planting we have even less
done than with timber trees, save in the
Snake river locality. For many years
after the settlement of this Palouse Sec
ton the people thought it impossible to
grow fruit but in the last decade little
orchards have appeared here and there
throughout this territory, and now we
this section produce good wheat, but it
will also produce good apples, pears,
plums and all the small fruits. In places
excellent peaches and other tender fruits
are produced in abundance and perfection.
This is well, for nature makes no mis-
takes. And here we have only
another illustration of the eternal
fitness of things Our soil is rich in aka
line salts, or chemically stated, oxides of
sodium and potassium. These substances
are being leached out in greater or less
quantities., by the dissoYing SHOWS Of
winter and the gentle rains OF spring and
fall. 4 no inconsiderable quantity of
these materials finds its way into wells
and ponds whence man and stock obtain
water. The continued use of such water
tends to, and often does, overload the sys-
tenn with these salts, resulting in many
acute and some chronic diseases. This IS
a fact attested by many OF our best
physicians. and is. therefore. a weighty
consideration in the subject. In view
of this fact it behooves Us 10 consider adj
visedIv any proposition that promises re-
lief from such evident danger. Fortu-
nately nature has made provision for Just
such a condition of affairs. Inc SUD-
stances which now, with bread, meat
and vegetable diet, are taken into our sys-
TENS and work havoc in the form OF levers
gastric. kidney and liver troubles, may pe
cornteracted BY the use OF fruit acids In
other words. if we would increase our fruit
diet and diminish our meat Diet there
would be less troublesome ailments among
our people and greater physical hardi-
hood.
With the numerous examples OF success
ful ire. growth before rs, IL Is not dlni-
cult 70 draw most favorable conclusions
regarding the future orchardlng of tins
section. Our soil and climate are not I'M
suited for this industry, so far as the
harder fruits are concerned. Inc De
mand for fruit is present OF necessity.
The only Question apparently uhsettAeo -
the one of financial proht-
The period of first fruits" is past, ior
small orchards have been bearing for sew
eraI wears in various parts OF this section,
end with few exceptions the results nave
been most tattering. for be 1t understood
that scarcely one in a score OF those thas
are bearing today have received orchard
culture. In nearly every instance they
have been planted and cared for much rs
a wheat crop would be. \ hole has been
made in the ground, the trees stuck IN;
roots covered, and the crop watched aiad
waited for. And it has come, regardiess
of the fact that the trees have fought inelF
own battles and conquered their own ioes
without the fostering care 10 which tney
are entitled and which they must receive
from the cuItiyator if the best results are
10 be attained.
As 10 the preparation of the land We can
offer but little. 1t should be deeply
nIowed, SUBSIDIZED if the surface son Is IN
derlaid at no great depth with an lmpef-
yinus stratum, as | am led TO believe some
Of this land is, and thoroughly puIveriLed.
Plant only those varieties wnien n@''