The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-03-08
FOR EASTERN MQUIRERS.
4 Letter Of Information for Those Who
Want II.
4 YAKIMA FARMERS SUGGESTION.
J. w. Hsrdiseu Answers q Number
OF InterreEaseries Cencernias
the Climate, soil, Productions.
Markets, ETC., Of This section.

W. T. Bell, Great Bend, Kansas--Dea,
Sir: Yours Of February 2, at hand.
do not know how you should have obtain
ed my name and occupation; as also
others in different places who, too, have
written me for information concernins
this country, as have not written any
thing formerly for publication in regard
to which, nor have had my name used
as reference in any Of the descriptive
pamphlets in circulation.
Since locating here two years ago.
have been quite content TO let others dc
as did, come and see for themselves
having no particular personal interest OF
Ak to grind by inducing others to come
1t Is not necessary to exaggerate IN
describing this country, however. Its SUI
perior advantages in many respects make
1t good enough. refer more particularly
to that portion Of Yakima county OF
country in more advanced state OF cul
tivation and settlement, while as a whole
1t can only be said even now to be it's in
fancy.
The introduction OF agriculture as 9
business in this section dates hack but .
very few years-ten or twelve years al
the most takes us back to that period Of
Yakima history where the capabilities Of
our sage lands were little known, and
where the happy thought Of tickling
these dry lands with water, making them
to respond as they do now, with the
various products of husbandry, Was moi
even dreamed of by the easy going stock
men who then represented tho greater
part OF the population Of the country.
The advent OF the Northern Pacific
railway through this valley. affordinp
transportation to the markets OF Puget
sound, was mainly instrumental, might
say, in inducing the work of transform
ing these arid lands into fertility and
usefulness; and as year succeeded year
many were the happy results that crowned
the persevering efforts OF the incredulous
settler in his first experiments on irri
gated lands.
The pursuit of agriculture is no longer
experimental. Our golden cereals, oul
various meadows, grapes, choice fruits
and vegetables Of all kinds and classes
excepting few Of tropical nature only
fully demonstrated that We have a won.
derful climate and soil. Crops never fail
or fall short from any OF the damaging
influences which prevail in other sec.
tons. We have but to SOW to reap, and
to reap to realize remunerative prices for
our products.
The large irrigating canal which sup.
plies water to the Sunnyside district, q
sparsely settled territory embracing some
1000 acres, while the most extensive, il
but one Of the many bitches Ia opera
ton and in project in different parts o.
the county. Artesian water also is beins
obtained in places where water cannot bt
raised from the river.
You ask il there is sufficient water te
supply these lands when under cultiva
walton. answer enough and to spare Is
only waiting to be drawn out through the
various avenues provided for il as cult
walton demands.
The price OF land here Is much above
the usual price OF land in grain districts
owing to its special adaptation to more
profitable crops, vegetables, fruits, hay
and hops, which are the chief sources Of
cash income to the country. Thousands
Of cattle and sheep from our local ranges
also Idaho, Montana and Oregon, are
driven and shipped into our valleys ia
the fall and winter seasons and fsttened
upon our alfalfa and clover hay for the
various markets of Puget sound.
Our vegetables and fruit productions
have enlarged so far beyond home con,
sumption that alone they form an i'm.
portant factor in railroad traffic from thit
section.
Our melons, grapes, peaches, pears
prunss and apples are pronounced Of SD
perior quality and command top price,
in the market, our exhibit Of which a
the Worlds iair excited the greatest ad
miration, much OF which being voted b,
the enthusiastic multitude as prize win
Ders.
Many hundreds of acres of our fin,
lands are gradually being put to hops
as 1t has been fully tested that the hoy
louise, 90 destructive to the crop in many
places, cannot thrive in our climate.
The price OF land varies from $40 to 500
per acre, according to location from city
town and railroad station, and also tn,
character OF Improvements and suscepti
bility Of irrigation. Few farms are fo
sale, however, outside of the companies
lands, as the settlers generally are tot
well satisfied to sell unless for some othei
cause than change OF location. Com.
paDies' lands with water furnished car
be had, / believe, on the insta,lment plar
at s55 per acre, with rebate Of s. pei
acre when cleared OF sage brush and put
into cultivation.
You ask if there are any improved
farms of twenty acres for sale, the price
etc.. and il family can live on so small
q farm?
Occasionally portion Of some i'm
proved farms, from twenty to thirty acres
is offered and at more reasonable prices
than the companies lands. An improved
farm of twenty acres, cultivated to diver
sifed crops, such as We raise here, with
the product Of few good "let-down'
cows and a few prolific hens, will keeE
q family of ordinary size comfortable and
Independent. This may sound like 9