The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1903-12-01
OBSERVATIONS.
G.. L. Smith.

without extremes of either heat or
cold, the soil is very fertile, and east
ly cultivated. The rainfall is limited,
especially in the valley proper, and ir-
rgation is necessary for most profit
able results; but water is abundant
and easily available for irrigation
purposes. Alfalfa is the principal
crop grown on the rich valley lands
under cultivation, producing three and
four cuttings of one and half to two
tons per cutting. The bench lands
have sufficient moisture to produce
good crops of grain, grass, corn, veg
etables and the hardy varieties of
fruit without irrigation. Stock raising
is the principal industry at present,
the cattle finding an abundance OF
rich feed on the bunch grass hills for
eight months in the year; after which
they are gathered in the valleys, pas
tured on the aftermath of the mead
ows or fed hay. Successful stock
men figure on about one ton of hay
each season for each animal in the
herd; or six and seven head for each
acre of alfalfa All stock are excep-
tionally healthy and vigorous and
there has never been any outbreak
of any epidemic disease since the
valley was settled. Seattle is the
principal market for both horses and
cattle The lack of transportation IA
cilities has discouraged any general
attempts in the direction of either
dairying or mixed farming; those who
have tried either have been entirely
successful, finding local demand at
fair prices from the mines and lum-
hor Tho fI1tI1rn outlook for
fruit growing is very promising, the
few trees already in bearing produc-
ing an abundance of fruit that is
first class in quality and color, with
the added advantage of entire free
dom from any diease or insect pests.
The apple does we'll, not only in the
valley on the irrigated lands, but well
up on the benches and near foot hills
without irrigation. Trees grow fast
and bear young, fruit of good size,
highly colored and of fine flavor. The
apples from this locality that have
gone to Seattle always sell at the
top of the market.
On the irrigated lands peaches have
proven a money maker, the trees be-
ing remarkably healthy and the fruit
always classed in the market as extra
fine. The few apricOts planted have
all done well, producing phenomenal
crops of large fine favored fruit. This
may also be truthfully said of all the
small fruits, peas, plums, prunes and
cherries
Mr. j. M. Holt, who has As acres
of irrigated land only part of which
is under cultivation, is so well salts
fed with the results already achieved
that he will as rapidly as possible get
the whole As acres into orchard and
berries. One-eighth of an acre of Lu-
cretia Dewberry produced this year
$100 worth of fruit. Strawberries
produce 300 or 400 crates per acre.
Mr. Holt shipped 1900 crates of peach
es and sold over 500 crates to his
neighbors. He gives the Crawfords
early and late-the first place as
money makers, with Mountain Rose
for early and Beers Smock for late.
He thinks there is no profit in any of
the white fleshed peaches. His apple
trees were all clean and thrifty, and
bearing well with Ben Davis in the
lead. Newton Pippin productive and
fruit exceptionally large and even in
size. Spitzenberg bearing well, fruit
large and finely colored. Some trees
of English Golden Russell bearing
l.