Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1909-05-08

DliltleS OF the iduu III tuc hoithNcSes
where its operations cover more than
1 900 900 acres. More than that, the
economic value Of irrigation has become
so established there is no longer doubt,
# any existed, but that the west, once
called the Great American Desert, is
bound to become the home OF the high
est agricultural civilization of all Amer
lea.
The largest of the government IS
works in the state of Washington is
the Sunnyside project, in the Yakima
valley. 1t covers 10000 acres, and will
cost ST. 100000. The Tieton project, in
the same valley, will reclaim $4,000 at
cost of 81 100000, and the Wapato,
also in the Yakima valley, will eventu-
ally take in 10000 acres at a cost of
sl,50O,000. The Okanogan project, in
the county of the same name, will water
5000 acres at cost of 100000.
In addition to these, the government
has authorized the Kittitas and Benton
projects, covering several hundred thou
sand acres in Washington. The Indian
and reclamation service estimate that
$25 or less will cover the cost for water
right on the reservation. This is about
one-half the cost of watering land un-
der other canals in the Yakima valley
There are also 20 successfully operated
private irrigation projects in this val
ley.
Government officials report that
eventually more than $5o,o00,00o will
be expended by the reclamation sirvics
in the state of Washington in reclaim
| ing 100000 acres of land now entirely
or partly waste. OF this, $4,000 acres
will be in the Ellensburg district, 200,
900 acres in the Rattlesnake and Goa
creek districts, and 10000 acres in the
valley of the Okanogan.
The government projects in southern
Idaho are the Minedoka, with an arei
of 100000 acres, to be completed at al
estimated cost of 100000, and tn
Payette- Boise, 100000 acres, costing
SO, 000,O 900, while Oregon has the Una
tlla project, $4,000 acres, costing 81,
100000, and the klamath, part o
which extends into California, 10000
acres, cost $3,600,000.
The projects in Montana are tn
Huntley, 10000 acres, cost 100000 tn
Milk river, including Saint Mary, 80
900 acres, cost $1,2OO,OO0, and the Su
river, $4,000 acres, costing $500, 900. TIL
Lower Yellowstone project, in Montan
and North Dakota, takes in 5000
acres, and will cost $2,7O0,0oO whe
completed.
Two hundred private projects are i
operation in the Inland Empire. Nun
erous irrigation canals have been col
structed in Chelan county, which ha
the Wenatchee, Chelan and Entiat va
leys. There are also important work
along the Columbia river in easter
Oregon and in the Spokane, Kettl
Falls, Bitter Root and Snake river an
Clearwater valleys. One hundred thol
sand acres of land in the Spokane va
ley is capable of irrigation. The Sp'
kane river, nearby lakes and an unde
ground stream, flowing through I'll
valley, are used by these plants, Oh
of which raises the water by means {
electric pumps from wells, 81 to IA
feet in depth.
The extent of operations on irrigate
lands in the northwest will be bett,
understood when it is known that ii
value of the apple and other fruit croI
in the Inland Empire amounted to $14
100000 in 1908. 1t will be $60,O000
in 1912, by which time several millio
trees, set out in the last two years, wi
come into bearing, and others plante
between 1903 and 1906 will have reacl
ed maturity.
This is only the beginning of IL
fruit industry in the northwest, whei
millions of acres of land, now hecke
with the dusty green of sagebrush,
awaiting the refreshing moisture
make it blossom like the proverbs
rose. Irrigation does much more fl
the growing crops than rain, as IL
natural element gives nothing exec
moisture, while the waters diverts
from the mountain sides bring wit
them new fertility.
Irrigation is no longer an experimel
in the western country; it is a confrmC
success from commercial and fnanci
viewpoints. 1t has been demonstrate
that under irrigation these lands wi
produce paying crops of anything whic
grows in the temperate zone. The pro
ucts are noted for their brilliant colo
ing, unusual size and excellent fave
= and they command the markets CT Il
world. Vegetables in almost endle
variety and the choicest vine and tr
fruits follow each other in rotation al
fill out the season.
Five to ten acres of land in the in
gated districts will provide sheltt
food and raiment for a family al
enable it's owner to put aside from IS
to $1,000 year. Scores of hundreds
men and women, many of whom ear
from the crowded cities, are doing tn
much or better today, and the develo
ment of the country, now yet in
infancy, will provide a safety valv
AGAINST the imnendinp danOprs of co