The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-03-31

California is the pioneer state in irriga-
tion. There this great factor to prosperity
was brought through Mexico from Spain
along with the holy cross, by the Mission
fathers, in the latter half Of the last cen
tury. But for irrigation her fame would
be confined to the products Of the mines,
and the fruits and wines which form so
important part in her prosperity would
have no existence. With the gradual and
pronounced decrease in the output Of
minerals she would become decimated in
population and bereft OF commercial i'm
portance but for the artificial distribution
of water. The same undesirable condi-
ton has prevailed throughout much OF
Eastern Washington, only to a greater
extent, for we had not even the producing
and supporting mines to fall back upon.
As late as the sixties all OF that portion Of
Washington east OF the Cascades was
known under the generic name Of the
Walla Walla and Yakima countries, and
was considered Of little value except as a
vast cattle range; 4; in fact it has only been
within the last few years that Yakima
has been considered in the least from an
agricultural or horticultural standpoint.
'Tis true that small patches Of land along
the streams were utilized for the growing
Of hay and vegetables, but il anyone had
maintained that the higher lands and
plains would some day be brought under
successful cultivation, and that hops, al
falfa, fruit and vegetables were destined
to crowd the cattle from the ranges, he
would have been considered visionary
and a fit subject for public charge; but
such has come to be the case, and the
former sterile plains are now looked upon
as the equal in productiveness Of the his
toric gardens watered by the Po and the
Nile. This condition has been brought
about through the science Of practical
application Of water to arid soil and the
investment Of capital.
As California is to the other states so
Yakima is to the Northwest-the pioneer
Of irrigation. Here the first bitches were
constructed for bringing the viviiying
waters on the parched earth. The lines
were run by persons who had little
knowledge Of surveying beyond the fact
that water, under the great laws Of ma
ture, is bound to run down hill. As a
consequence but small areas were watered
by these simple contrivances. To-Day all
Of this has changed, and the enterprise
and skill Of man has reclaimed and is re-
claiming the millions Of acres Of land
within the confines Of Yakima county,
and made it possible to build up in the
center the thriving city Of North Yakima,
on which is now directed the eyes and ad-
miring attention Of tens Of thousands Of
people who are looking for fairer skies
and more fruitful lands than those around
them. 1t is not one irrigation enterprise
that we are depending upon for the pur-
pose Of making these broad valleys and
great plateaus fulfill the prophesy Of
Isaiah and blossom as the rose, but a
number in which aggregated capital has
courses, and with their laterals spread ont
like veins from the main arteries the
trickling fluid permeates every arabic
section.
The interest in irrigation has just re-
ceived fresh stimulus through the com.
pletion and formal opening Of the first 25-
mile section Of the great canal Of the
Northern Pacific, Yakima & Kittitas Irri.
cation company, which occurred on Sat
urday last. The announcement Of the
date Of the ceremonies was very brief, but
sufficient to attract large throng Of peo.
pie, who, early in the morning, could be
seen vending their way down the river
road by every means Of conveyance possi-
BILE to be secured. Paul Schulze, presi-
dent Of the company, arrived in his spec
ial car on the O'Clock train from Tacoma,
accompanied by a number Of distin-
guished guests, including T. B. Wallace,
president Of the Fidelity bank; Theodore
Hosmer, president Of the Tacoma Light
and Water company: George Browne, Of
the Tacoma Lumber company; l. W. An
derson, president Of the Tacoma Land
company; President Strong Of the East
man Kodac company, and Architect Pick
les, who were desirous Of witnessing the
ceremonies and inspecting the great work,
which is but the beginning Of the most
important system Of irrigation canals in
America. The intake Of the canal, where