The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-23
FARMING IN OKaSOGAN CoUNrT.
Oas Of the Nest Favored Regions In the
Whole World.


Whole World.
CHELax, March p, 1884
To THE Enron: The impression has pre-
vailed that Okanogan county u high,
cold. snowy region. This impression was
produced By its situation in such high
latitude, and by the representations upon
the early maps Of Washington showing il
10 bs almost entirely covered with rough
mountains. a. the couatry has become
occupied this erroneous idea has changed.
A large part Of this county, instead of
having high altitude, is practically the
lowest portion of Eastern Washington,
excepting perhaps the valley of Snake
river. However il is true that high prom
inences occur between the larger valleys,
and that the extreme western portion Of
0kanogan county extends TO the summit
of the Cascade mountains.
The agricultural portion Of this county
lies along the valleys of the Columbia and
its tributary streams. and upon the ter
races and plateaus 50 characteristic of this
whole region. We speak of agriculture in
it's broadcast sense. and include not only
the cultivation of cereals and vegetables,
but fruit culture. to which this region is
especially adapted. and also refer to re-
source closely allied to the farmers inter-
ests-viz. stock raising. We wish to give a
correct idea OF that portion of Okanogan
county extending from and including the
valley of the Methow on the north. to the
Wenatchee river on the south. This agri-
culture area lies at q low altitude. and
directly under the influence Of the Japan
current, which tempers the atmosphere to
. degree most enjoyable. and best adapt
ing it to the successful culture Of the more
tender fruits and plants. The valley of
the Wenatchee has an altitude of from 600
to $40 feet. the Columbia about the same,
the Eu-ti-at from $50 to LOCO feet, the
Chelan valley 800 to 1000 feet and the
Methow 700 to 1000 feet.
In all this area the mercury rarely
reaches zero in winter, and then only for
. few hours at time. Frosts seldom oc-
cur later In spring than April 10 or earlier
in autumn than October 20. This region
il adapted to diversified farming, and es-
pecialiy to fruit raising. larger yields re-
sulting in the lower valleys by the use of
irrigation. 1t Is found. however, that
thorough cultivation brings satisfactory
results without irrigation. Wheat. corn,
rye. oats, barley, vegetables, and fruits,
such as peaches, pears, prunes, plums. APP
ricots, grapes and small fruits. Also. sweet
potatoes and peanuts are successfully
grown.
The upper Methow valley and the ter
races and plateaus along the Columbia and
tributary valleys, at an altitude of 800 to
1000 feet, are adapted to the culture of
cereals. vegetables and all the hardy fruits.
especially apples and berries. Here the
precipitation is greater, probably more
than double that of the lower valleys,
hence irrigation is rarely resorted to. Ten
der plants and fruits are raised at greater
elevation in the Chelan valley. owing to
the tempering effect of Lake Chelan, a
body of water seventy miles long and deep
its vs. hole length. In the immed late vi
cinity of all these lands susceptible to cui-
tivation are hills or mountains covered
with a dense growth Of bunch grass, upon
which stock grow fat in summer. and often
thrive throughout the winter. Pure water
is found in small streams and springs and
obtained by digging wells. Timber is also
plentiful. The soil. with scarcely an ex-
ception. is volcanic. being composed
largely Of disintegrated basaltic rock, and
is rich in the elements that produce
fruits, cereals and vegetables. Upon the
terraces and plateaus it is equally produc-
tive rs in the valleys. This volcanic soil
differs from an aliuvial deposit in that the
former crumbles and the particles fall
apart when exposed to the suns rays, thus
retaining the moisture below, while the
latter usually cracks open and allows 1t to
escape.
A large portion Of these rich lands are
still open to settlement under the home
stead laws With such conditions, a mild
climate, a liberal rainfall, o rich soil, all
combining to make 1t practicable for the
farmer to cultivate . variety of crops,
close proximity TO one of the richest MIN
ing regions in the West, which will fur
nish market for many products such as
tables and fruits, We have country sec
ond to none for the building up and NAM
tanning of permanent homes. Nearness
to the Puget sound cities and the COM
merce OF the Pacific will furnish a market
for any surplus raised. Ii is enough for
those seeking new homes TO know that
with these conditions tho most satisfac-
tory yields can be obtained by reason
able amount of cultivation. and prices
realized equal to the most favored local.
ties. Okanogan county will have large
agricultural population. IS the major part
of the tillable land is adapted TO fruit
culture and farming, giving better returns
than large farms which produce grain
only. The topography and products of
the country are such that the land will
not be owned in large tracts, but will be
divided and occupied by actual producers.