The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-10-04
ALL ABOUT IRRIGATION
Two Interesting Addresses Upon That
Important Subject.
EDITOR SMYTHE AND YIN. ham. HALL
EntertaIn an Intelligent Audience
at the Commercial Club Rooms
ON Wednesday Night = Valuable
Information Given Listeners.

al iuioriuai gathering vi Rentlemcu
and ladies was addressed last night at
the Commercial club rooms by Editor
Smythe, OF the Irrigation Age, q we'll
known California engineer, upon the sub
ject OF Irrigation"
Editor Smytbe has just returned from
the irrigation congress at Denver, of
which he was chosen president. His adj
dress was particularly interesting in its
references to Yakima, because he pre-
faced it with the statement that in many
respects Yakima was the most promising
spot from an irrigation standpoint in the
sixteen states and territories now being
watched intently by the eastern farmer,
who is home-seeker in the far west.
Mr.. Smythes address was principally
upon general lines in irrigation matters.
He wished for greater activity, however,
in the state OF Washington in the way of
appointment of local boards and associa-
tons to examine into this matter and to
represent each section at the national
congress each year. He demonstrated
that the eastern farmer wac watching the
arid yet arabic lands of the west intently,
and that information should be sent
broadcast through the east as to the alb.
solute certainty of crops in the irrigated
sections. He inveighed against the one
crop section in airy country, and pleaded
for diversified farming even upon expert
mental lines; instancing the present po-
tato scarcity and high prices as splen-
did thing for the Yakima country. In
deed, he commended Yakima because OF
her diversified industries in the farming
line.
Concluding, he exhibited a full page
engraving in Harper's, copied from a
painting now attracting great deal OF
attention. The engraving represents a
poor, ragged farmer of Kansas standing
with upturned face in the drouth-de-
stroyed ruins of his farm and it was en-
titled Praying for Rain" Mr.. Smythe
remarked that he proposed travelling
through the east with a stereopticon, one
of his plates being copy of that picture.
Another. and companion piece, should
be prayer Answered." and it should
show a splendid farm in the irrigated
west, with small boy lifting the head
gate of big rrigating canal to let in the
wealth-producing liquid.
Mr.. Hall, who is quite well known in
Yakima, was more specific in his re-
marks concerning irrigation. He wanted
the states to assume control Of the water
ways; wished dishonest companies to be
debarred from the right OF franchise !;
maintained that far too many miles Of
bitches had already been constructed,
and that the capital and enterprise which
had promoted them should be protected
to the extent that no more bitches should
be constructed TILL the lands now irrigated
could be settled by practical farmers.
Mr.. Hall wished that representatives OF
each valley in the great desert" states
could be kept constantly in the east, to
compete with the south in drawing capi-
tai and settlers to the west. He said
that capital had been buncoed in many
western states, and that honest represent
atives not OF the boom order wers now
demanded by eastern possible investors.
The coming five years shauld be an era
OF development OF lands so far reclaimed :
and Yakima. with other kindred counties
in sister states should have her wares"
cried upon the markets of the great east,
to the end that she and her claims should
not be ignored in the search for homes by
the poor farmers OF the east. Mr.. Hall
spoke OF the study OF irrigation, main
tanning that much damage was done and
many crops lost because new irrigators
refused to profit by the experience OF
older husbandmen. He illustrated his
remarks with illusions TO the various
quantities of water required for different
varieties OF trees, claiming that young
trees conld be trained to need much or
little water in the start, and that irrigst-
ors should learn that little was best in
the long run. He regretted that he could
not devote more time to his subject, and
closed rather abruptly an interesting talk
because Of the lateness Of the hour.
President Prosser, of the Commercial
club, who had introduced both speakers
in bis usual happy manner, rendered
them the thanks OF the audience for their
courtesy and information, and declared
the meeting adjourned.
Mr.. A. NJ. West, representing the Irri-
CATION Age, returned to Yakima from the
irrigation congress at Denver this week.
Mr.. West is one OF the most interesting
of conversationalists upon the subject of
irrigation, many of his ideas being the
result of persistent study from scientific
standpoint, combined with years OF prac-
teal experience as land owner and
farmer on a large scale in Colorado and