East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-09-30

HlmSet pioneer IN Omatlll,
countys great irrigated district in the
west end, a practical farmer under
the conditions Of artificial water sup,
ply and one OF the largest land own.
ers in the irrigated district, D. c
Brownell was chosen by the manage
ment Of the Umatilla-Morrow district
fair TO discuss Irrigation" In his
excellent paper Mr.. Brownell said:
There Is in Umatilla county $4,000
acres of irrigable land, $4,000 OF
which is under a high state of cul-
tivation and $1,000 acres are in the
course Of development by the applica-
ton Of water. These lands consist;
1st OF the tracts irrigated by the
early pioneers along the creek and
river bottoms. where the water could
be diverted from the streams with
out involving engineering problems,
and with little cost to the ranchers.
End. OF tracts upon the low
benches, the soil of which, though
supposed to be inferior TO the low
bottoms, was considered of sufficient
value to Justify the cost Of develop
ment, where no great engineering
problems were encountered and main
tenance would be low.
3rd The vast extent of rolling
table lands in the lower Umatilla ba-
sin, skirting the south bank of the
Columbia river. and the undulating
plains lying between Freewater and
Hudson Bay in the Walla Walla val
ley. That part of these lands in the
lower UmAtilla basin lie at an eleva-
tion between 500 and 700 feet above
sea level. Their soil is OF the same
general character, all being Of vol
canic origin--volcanic ash and dis
integrated basalt. BY reason Of the
low altitude, creating favorable cli-
matte conditions. and the volcanic
character of the soil, these lands,
when properly irrigated and culti-
waited, produce crops in marvellous
abundance.
Irrigation dust Grew.
The first irrigation practiced in the
country was in attempts to improve
the condition Of the rancher's gar
dens or extend the outer borders OF
his natural meadows This was gen.
orally done in a desUltory and care
less way, and the results were al
ways cheerfully accepted by him as a
matter Of fact. and as matter over
which he had no special control. 1t
just came-jUsI came to him. as the
bunch grass crop came-a spontan-
cous. bounteouss abundant manifesto
ton Of nature-an act OF God, and
not the result of well-direc4ed. prac-
tical and scientific effort as now man
ifested in the work of the up-to-date
irrigator of today.
AS before stated, large portion of
the irrigable lands in the county have
attained a high state of cultivation
and bring good remuneration to the
owner. alfalfa being almost the sole
field crop. while small tracts are ,
generally cultivated to fruit of the
various kinds common TO the country. /
as we'll as vegetables. which after /
supplying the home demand, the sur 8
plus is shipped to nearby cities and q
towns.
Government Now Developing. n
The $1,000 acres now in course of :
development is on the table lands f
generally known as sage brush land. a
and varies in character from a drift ?
ng sand to the white ashy soils of the d
.emi-arid wheat lands, and there ap- "
'ears to be no difference in their Y,
productive capacity, where the same W
conditions of moisture are created by e,
he application Of water and cultiva- NJ
ion. These lands are being develop m
d by the United States reclamation W
ervice, whose first unit consists Of lii
1000 acres. and various private cor m
.0ratons whose areas vary from 1850 VI
o 10000 acres. The aggregate body
as a water mrontage on the Colum-
ia river Of Il miles. and extends w,
ack therefrom southwark about Is fa
Niles. In the development Of these ce
,nds it is the declared policy Of the is
oyernment to encourage small hold re
lgs ranging from ; to 20 acres. ac- ur
2rding 20 the locality and facilities tn
Dr. operating; while the private cor en-
orations in all their advertising lit mi
'ature represents their lands to be sta
be- finest fruit and vegetable lands esi
the west. and recommend small tn,
1ldings with intensive cultivation. iol
7e experience in exploitation by the or
.st practical and scientific farmers by
ems 70 lus-i4E tbese recommenda. tut
del
Settler Needs Backbone. pu
Here, as in all other parts Of the gol
velopIng west the new settler does oe'
1t at all times lie upon a bed Of pei
Ses or feast Upon the fat Of the VII
nd He meets with drawbacks ana OPP
versities. though not in such large
Imbcrs as in less favored localities, eql
{ he has his small trials and tribu- OF
tons, which are few as compared Wo
Tn other localities, and those that era
exist, however, may be overcome
intelligent action. and vigorous,
rsistent industry in
The soil, as has been stated. Is Of wil
lcanic ash. and sandy character, pra
ID when unseasonably cultivated, or the
shly neglected after cultivation, may the
blown away, and drifted upon the or
Joining homestead, to the chagrln the
the cultivator, and the loss Of his far
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