East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-05-11

The following excellent article or
irrigation In the Willamette valley
was written by A. r, Black Of Eu'
gene for the Portland Chamber Of
Commerce Bulletin and is OF such
timely Importance that 1t is repro
duced In the East Oregonian. 1t Ii
Additional sunshine and heat can
not be obtained to grow crops in the
cold spring rainy season, but more
water can be put on the dry land In
the hot summer. Investigation will
prove that; sufficient heat and mois-
ture combined at the proper time. are
necessary TO enhance production from
the soil to its maximum capacity. Ex'
isting conditions positively establish
the great necessity of irrigation In the
Willamette valley.
The official rainfall records, for
the last twelve years, establish the
fact that the fruit trees, hop vines
and crops, on an average. do not re-
ceive one-fourth the necessary
amount OF moisture at the proper
time to produce the best results, and
also that in some seasons there Is less
than one-fourth inch rainfall In sixty
days In the hot summer.
The results are that the hop vines,
fruit trees and crops then struggle for
life, for want Of the necessary moist
ure at the proper time. The products
Iare stunted and dwarfed, made in
ferlor In quality and mature. late. The
above would seem like almost perish
ing with thirst, within sight OF spark
ling water, for want OF energy to go
and drink. Nevertheless the climatic
records and existing conditions prove
the above statements are facts.
An object lesson to the fruit grow
ers Of this valley has been practically
demonstrated in the field by the Or
chardlsts Of the Rogue river valley,
which valley is similarly situated be-
tween the coast and Cascade ranges
of mountains, with identical climatic
conditions n the summer sason. There
irrigation has increased the yield, dou-
bled the net ncome, trebled the for
mer intrinsic value of the land, placed
the fruit on par with the Hood river
production, and created a demand for
their fruit in the east. and in foreign
countries. Willamette valley or
chardists, with care and irrigation,
can produce the same results.
Millions of dollars are annually
sent abroad for eggs, poultry meats
and sugar which are consumed in
Oregon and Washington west OF the
range. Irrigate the VILLAIN
ette valley and you can keep a ma
jority OF that money in western Ore.
gon.
After fifty years of work there is
less than onehalf the arabic land in
the Willamette valley under cultiva-
ton. The production from the land
titled, on a general average. is not
over one-half what the yield from
the same land would be with modern
irrigation. Alfalfa, beets rich in sac
charine matter, celery and other valu-
able crops that connot now be sue
cessfully grown in this valley, can be
made commercial success with ir-
rlgation.
The sugar beet scientifically farmed
has been proven a very valuable food
for stock. Cattle, sheep and hogs
fatten upon them and the sugar is
converted into meat. Dairy cows
give valuable returns therefrom.
Stock growers take their stock to
where alfalfa and such sugar beets
are grown to fatten them for market.
When the sugar beet industry is
developed 1t will war