East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-05-04

Tlie following article on the UNA
;illa irrigation project is from the
Oregon Sunday Journal, and while
the East Oregcnian has printed full
particulars Of the project, the fol-
loving article contains some interest
ing features and is cheerfully re-
printed:
The Umatilla project. now under
constr uction by the United States re-
ciaination service. is situated In the
west portion of umatilla county, Ore
gen, ir the junction of the Umatilla
and Columbia rivers and consists or
10000 acres of very productive sandy
loan. more commonly called volcan-
ic ash.
The soil is adapted to the growing
of all fruits grown outside of tropical
court,ies. 1t is the natural home OF
alfalfa. of which from four to five
crops may be cut annually. Pota-
toes, sweet potatoes and vegetables
of all kinds will be grown success
fully. Wheat and other grain crops
Go we'll bat the farmer will find 9TH
ar crops pay better.
| The climate is very warm in sum-
mer and the season between frosts Is
rs long or longer than any other place
in the west
| Thu early sj,ring enables the pro-
lnccr to get fruits or an early mar
| k.t. thus getting the highest prices
| ohtainablr.
The water for reclaiming the land
i taken from the tImatilla river
through n feed canal 25 miles land
and held in n reservoir which covers
about 1890 acres and holds 50,0OO
acre feet nf water, or enough to cover
;rc entirCtract of 10000 acres TO a
der Il: of two and ono-half feet dur
ing the summer season after one full
j irrigation has been had in the
sLiing.
The Geld Springs dam is now I'M
der construction aid when conlplet-
| cd will be 90 feet high, 45c feet
ocruss the base, and. including the
wings. will be 95OO feet long
About lo5 men, so teams and four
lococotives are employed in the con-
struction.
What the Land Will Cost.
| Cne million one hundred thousand
dollars has been allotted to complete
the entire system. 1t is estimated
that water will cost not more thar
$50 per acre, inclusive of the cost Of
maintenance of the entire plant fol
10 years after completion of tn,
work. This money will be rturned tc
the secretary of tho interior at the
rate of Sc per acre annually for II
years without interest, or, figuring
on n cash basis, the water right viii
cost only $50 per acre. The first
payment is due IN December, after
full seasons irrigation.
Owing t. the permanent character
o, the structures, the headgates, pipe
lines and drops being of solid con-
crete and indestructible. the cost of
maintenance of the bitches after the
first 10 years will be reduced to the
minimum.
Much of the land is unimpIo owed
and covered with a heavy growth OF
| sagebrush which can be cleared for
SO per acre and surfacing and level
ling will cost from s5 to s95 per acre
recording to conditions and require
ments.
About $4,000 acies are in private
ownership. patented and otherwise.
This land is held at $50 to s100 per
acre. not including water right.
About 5000 acres will be thrown
open to homestead entry under the
five-year settlement only. in tracts OF
10, 90 and 40 acres. according tc
proximity to the different towns. This
will be free, costing nothing but the
homestead filing fee and the payment
of the cost of the water service
which is levied pro rata upon land:
under the ditch.
1t is not expected that patents will
be issued for this land until the wa
ter has all been paid for.
Any man who is citizen and ha.
not used his homestead right, or an,
woman who is widow, the head OF
II family or q single person, may file
on the land, but not both husband
and wife.
Persons holding 1d0 acres befor'
commencement of operations by tn
government on the project may holt
the whole of 1t and obtain water 70
the same, but 1t is the wish of tn
reclamation service that the land b
cut in small holdings to obtain tn
highest degree of cultivation an
and make all the homes possible.
Under no conditions can one per
son obtain water for more than 16
acres.
Tho time and manner of openin
\ the public land is not yet mad
: known, bpt the reclamation servic
expects to have the work so far alon
.as to be able to recommend the oper
ing by June 1, 1907, but due motto
will be given by the interior depar
ment before opening.
Each owner Of land under the ditto
becomes a member Of the Wat,
Users association to the extent Of or
share Of stock to each acre owne
The stockholders elect hoard Of
rectcrs who. in turn elect officers
serve one year. The association &C
| ay an agent IN trnnsact the huain q