The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-04-17

and from this 1t is taken that with
the development of electric interur-
ban railways and irrigation projects,
which, in the course of few years,
must bisect the great area, that d.
versified farming will ultimately ex-
coed in Importance all other agri-
cultural interests.
Probably in giving an idea of the
proportions Of the agricultural in
dustry of the Inland Empire, it may
be well to mention that in the state
of Washington alone the aggregate
value of farm products was S79,S00,-
600 in 1906. The figures for north
ern Idaho. southern British Column
bia and northeastern Oregon show
that the returns from these districts
are proportionate. The fruit yield
in Washington is given value of
$12, 1000 for last year, which
would mean that in the Inland EN-
pire it aggregated $20,00O,00O
That this will continue to increase
is indicated by the immense irri-
cation plants now under construc-
ton in various parts of this domain
The Yakima Valley, known the
world over as "the home of the big
red apple, where dollars grow on
trees has made rich men in a few
years of many who found themselves
handicapped because of conditions
in the struggle for existence in the
middle and eastern states, while in
the Spokane, Snake river, Okanogan,
Columbia river, Grand Ronde valley,
Kootenay, st. Maries and St. Joe
districts riches are being plucked
| from trees, vines and bushes. Ver-
liable deserts and sage brush plains
are being made to blossom like the
proverbial rose by the intelligent
practise of irrigation, and plans now
under way mean stretches of or
chards, fields of melons, berry gar
dens and vineyards which will be
beyond approach in any part of this
is now being practiced in the Spo-
kane valley, and elsewhere, will be
extended thus adding hundreds Of
thousands of dollars annually to the
products of the district.
Stock-raising, formerly the main
stay of the country, but falling off
until the demand for higher grades
brought it again into prominence, is
another important industry, and by
intelligent breeding the ranchers are
developing as good grade of blood
ed stock as is produced anywhere.
In horses, cattle, swine and sheep
the growers in the Inland Empire
have demonstrated some of the pos
sibilities of the country. Dairying,
which Melted THE farmers of the
state of Washington $9,500,000 a
year ago, is yet in its infancy. Sixty
thousand COWS were used last year,
but their products did not supply
more than 40 per cent of the de-
mands; in fact, competent authori-
/ ties say there is immediate need for
from 10000 to 100000 cows to
supply the dairy and creamery de-
mands for Washington alone.
Profitable dairying in the Yakima
Valley carries with it the growing
of fodder stuffs, such as alfalfa,
grasses and grains. How productive
the first named is may be noted that
by the ordinary process an acre of
land will yield from two to two and
half tons, while under irrigation
this is doubled and trebled, and there
are instances where 10 tons has been
cut on a single acre. AS alfalfa
thrives in almost any kind of soil,
it is but natural to conclude that a
few years will see extensive fields
wherever cows or live stock is kept.
While Washington is the foremost
state in the union in the production
of lumber, the Inland Empire, on
the whole, is not far behind, this be- !
ing evidenced by the fact that more
than 1000, 900 feet, board meas
eur, was cut last year, its aggregate
value. including by-products, being
81 100000. There is sufficient tim
Der in the district to supply the
mills for generations, the total stand
in the Pacific Northwest being esti-
mated at 700. 0O0,O00,00O feet, of
which 1S9, 900, 100000 feet is in
Washington. Idaho has the largest
stand of white pine left in this coun-
try, in the northern part of the
state, and it is predicted that its cut
this year will be near the 400, 0O0,-
900 mark Washington cut more
than 1000, 100000 feet last year,
IA n