The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-24
Irrigation In Walla Walla County.
From Census Bulletin.

Walla walla county is in southeastern WASH
ington, south of the Snake river and east OF the
Columbia extending from these streams
along the Oregon state line near
ly to the SUBMITS of the Blue
mountains. The Touchet river flows west aud
south nearly through the center OF the county,
entering the Walla Walla river, whose course il
westerly along the southern boundary. These
streams, as IL the case with all in this por.
ton OF the county, fow In deep gorges
hundreds OF feet below the general
level of the uplands. The principal occupation
OF the people Of this county 10 wheat raising,
large crops being produced each year. and e..
pecally when the snowfall of the preceding
winter Is heavy. II II customary to
summer fallow the land every third year. and
thus. on an average two-thirds of the farm land
IL In crop each season. Occasionally q small
amount of corn is raised on this sum.
msr- fallowed land. Besides wheat some
barley, oats and rye are produced. and occa-
sionaiy potatoes and other vegetables although
In many parts OF the county there Is not suffi-
cient moistuie to make the yield of the latter
profitable. In the northern end OF the county
between the Snake and Touchet rivers and in q
general way parallel to them, IL the
high plateau known as Eureka fiat. This
10 from thirty to forty miles long and
about six miles wide. The soil 10 rich, and
enormous quantities OF wheat are produced
each year. Ths water supply for this area Is,
however, greatly deficient The farmers are
compelled to procure water for summer use
either by saving In cisterns the water
from melted snow. by purchasing IL from
the railroad company, or by hauling it from
streams at distances of from five 10 ten miles by
means Of wooden tanks mounted on stout
wagons. 1t Is reported that in 1889 the water
flling q 50o-aallon tank cost n, and
that the same quantity In 1890 cost -.
One farmer writes that in one year IL
cost him So for water for household use and to
supply four horses Water obtaiaed from the
railroad cost 81 50 for 800 gallons, with an ad-
ditioual expense of from s. 20 IS to bring il
from the railroad station. Efforts have been
made to obtain water by drilling. but
10 has been found very difficult to
penetrate the hard basaltic rock. Small pieces
are easily dislooged BY the drill and wedge IL
firmly so that is becomes . matter of great
diff,culty and even I'm some cases impossible to
withdraw the drilling tools Wells have
been nut down 10 depths OF from
500 to 400 feet without obtaining water,
the drill having finally stuck fast In some
uarts of the county less difficulty Is experienced
in obtaining water. One well ia reported TO be
lao feet deep and with lofty feet of water. Irri-
cation is carried on along the snake, Coumbia
and Waila waIla rivers, and TO . less ex-
tent along the Touchet river, wherever
water can BE- brought out by small
bitches, water wheels, or forcs pumps.
(aarisns and fruit trees cultivated in
this manner prove highly profitable. Is the
wheat growers ON the higher lands raise very
sw vegetables or fruits, and thus there Is little
composition aud large demand for this class of
soAucs