Arizona republican., 1901-03-19


 7:SO in the morning I heard laborious steps coming up to our curtain, saw one curtain cautiously raised and a bowl and pitcher pushed carefully into the room. Rather unique service, but ] forgave everything, because what we did have was so very clean, new countries and new towns have to grow ] can remember the time, and so can some of my readers no doubt. when to be the possessor of a board floor. a "boughten" set of furniture and a bowl and pitcher, was to be the envy of all Salt River valley: that was only twen- ty-four years ago.
 We passed through perfect desert country from Spokane to North Yok- ina. There are no trees, except along the YolSima river, just neavy growth of sage-brush, regular Arizona sage brush. It is a rolling, undulating coun- try watered by the Columbia Yokima and Uatchee rivers, but, excepting In STaH portion of bottom land" nothing grows without irrigation. MT Granger. the agent at Iillah had us driven over all the country it was pos sible to cover during our stay. Our driver told us all about the land and surrounding country. both good and bad. The hillsides and level spots are planted alike, to alfalfa, timothy and clover, orchards or gardens, just as the soil or inclination of the owner dictates. The furrow system of irri- gation is favored altogether. Small furrows of perhaps twelve inches in ,N1n feet apart, with an implement some what resembling New England corn worker. From the private head ditch, which is run on the highest point of land, the water is let into the fur- rows by means of square wooden pipes made of laths; this opening carriss about one square inch of water With out pressure. By this means hEIs sloping at an angle of thirty degrees are successfully irrigated and splendid crops raised thereon. Only small stream of water is required, It pelnS run in the furrows until the land ab- sorbs every drop it will hold, and not being flooded does not require the water 90 often. The yie'd of alfalfa is similar to ours, averaging five to eight tons per acre per year, with three nay crops and fourth crop for pasturage. Prices vary from s4.5O upwards, with freight rate to the "Sound' of $2.S9 per ton, where there is no limit to the market Hay Is loaded on the cars now for $7, selling here for $l4, with two commission merchants to get the pro- fits instead of the farmer or consumer. The season of irrigation IS from April to November. Cost of new land isVSl35 to $40 per acre with water right. There are chills and fever if people are care less about drinking ditch water; no fleas, no flies, but plenty of bed-bugs to fight The people seems to be pros porous and happy, not many wanting to sell, even at sl00 and $200 per acre for improved land.
 North Yokima is a beautiful little city, even at this time e year. of five or six thousand inhabitants. The farm holdings are not as a rule large, aver aging from ten to eighty acres. The land is kept in perfect cultivation and the yield of fruits, hops, vegetables or hay is enormous. The farm homes would. with a very few exceptions. grace any city The family living is made off the chickens and cows, and the crop money Is put into improve ments or the bank, instead of into water, taxes and the expenses inci- dental to large farms, as is too often the case with us
 Tacoma is called the Town of Yes terday" by Seattletes, but business is on the mend and real estate and choice business locations are on the jump. Tn Seattle, our one-time townsman, George Spankenberg, is paying $175 rent and $50 insurance per month for a 25xS0-foot fire-trap on Second avenue. He wants to move where he can pay S3G0 per month, but cannot get | puid- ing.
 Still it rains! But all over, not it one spot as I see it has been doing in Arizona lately
 ' a.s yours most sincerely.
 RENE A RED,