The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-03-02

and will base our calculations on six tons
per acre, which is really lower than the
average for good field. The cost Of irri.
eating is very small, as the mat OF roots
prevents the ground from washing. And
alfalfa 10 usually sown on level or gently
sloping ground, where il is most easily
cared for. On account Of the dry climate
OF the Yakima valley barns are not nee.
essary to shelter the hay, so the only ex-
penses are for irrigating, cutting and put.
ting In the stack. Properly managed the
total cost, even II all the work is hired,
should not exceed $l-25 ton. In the
alfalfa districts all over the coast con.
tractors can be found who will cut and
put in the stack at 81 = ton and furnish
everything.
As TO PRICE.
At present writing, February, 1898, II
sells readily at 50 per ton in the stack
During the fall of 1892 the ruling price
was t6. 1t sold readily for 50 a ton when
baled and loaded on the cars for shipmen,
to Tacoma or other points, and the cost
Of baling and loading is less than 50 a
ton. Five dollars ton is considered q
bottom price, and will doubtless be lower
than the average for some years to come
But to make our calculations perfectly
safe for years hence, let us figure or
selling at $3.50 per ton in the stack
Even at $4.25 ton it leaves So per tor
net profit. Credit SIS an acre as net in
come, eighteen per cent interest on $l0C
an acre valuation. The purchase price o.
the land $50, cost OF clearing sage
brush, blowing, etc, (y5), seeding to al
falfa 1857, brings the total price up to Sc,
/ per acre, and the SIS net income tasd,
from all wages for working it) amount,
to thirty per cent net ON the total invest
ment. But the interest is really greater
than that. Few people will pay cash fo
land. Nearly every one takes advantag,
Of liberal terms OF sale, one-fifth cash
balance on five yearly payments at onl,
seven per cent interest "a very low rat,
for the vest. Thus We have only abou
$40 an acre invested when we get an in
come of $lS, so the land really costs only
$40, and soon pays that back to the in
weston and then pays for itself by payin,
off the annual amounts due as purchas,
price and still pays the investor an in
come on that $40 he once invested. bu
had paid back to him. There is nothing
visionary about this business. 1t i,
plain. practical experience, witnessed
every season on scores OF farms all W
and down the Yakima valley. But t
question looms up. How soon before
this lucrative business will be overdone
II everybody goes into the business, viii
there be any market for the product p
That leads us to the consideration OF tn,
all-important question,
THE MARKET.
The geographical situation Of the Yak
ina valley, midway between the .stocl
ranges Of eastern Washington, Oregon
and Idaho. and We might also add west
ern Montana and Wyoming ON the east
and the cities and numerous towns OF tn,
Puget sound country on the west, with
their ever-increasing population, is boune
to make this the great winter feeding
ground for the immense amount OF beef
mutton and pork that will be consumed
west OF the Cascade mountains as long a.
this earth is inhabited. After careful
inquiry OF the different dressed beef anc
packing companies OF western Washing
ton, We find that with the present popu
lation and under present circumstances
freight rates and everything else consid
cred, there would be fed in the Yakims
valley during the coming season, in addi
ton to the local needs for work horses
mich cows, ETC., over $4,000 toni
Of alfalfa hay il we had the hay to spare
As matter of fact, there is now not owe
5000 tons raised for market in addition tc
that grown for our own needs. At ar
average of six tons per acre, $4,000 acre:
could now be put into alfalfa and find {
ready market for the product Immediately
BEEF.
Cattle on the ranges begin to fall of
in flesh about November l, sometime.
earlier. As soon as December / they
must be fed to make good beef if they
are to be butchered any time before June
Good beef can be had off of the range fo
only about six months or less each year
The present population OF the sound coun
try consumes 5000 head OF beef cattle pc
month. We will calculate only on fiv'
months for feeding beef. During tina
period $1,000 head will be used. OF tina
amount at least two thirds will pas
through the Yakima valley, and If W
had the hay for sale at 1850 a ton (per
haps a better price. but that price a
least,) we would feed 10000 beef cattl
each winter. Forty pounds a day O
alfalfa per head equals loo pounds