The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1910-03-30
MAKING GIANT STRIDES.

There is no more refreshing sight
of waste land into homes and ranches
and tracts where every foot Of ground
is made to contribute its share to-
ward the bounties of its owners and
his neighbours table. In Yakima ana
other communities which have been
reclaimed from the desert. the task
has been stupendous one. In the
first place, irrigation had to be pto-
vided at a great cost of money. and
labor. Then there followed the wait
ing period before the planted crops
brought forth the realization of pleas
ant anticipations and the money re-
turns which justified the original cusi
and the long years of waiting.
But we have been making progress
and this year thousands Of acres will
be converted into young orchard;
other thousands of acres of raw land
will peld its first crop of hay. pota-
toes, small fruit and vegetables. 1t
all spells development no matter
which crop has the preference. and in
learning which sections offer the best
opportunity for the culture OF fruit.
where hay is a more stable crop and
likewise the smaller fruits ana vegc-
tables. In turn land prices regulate
themselves accordingly. All of this
progress means stability.
Tributary to North Yakima are
thousands of acres of fertile soil, some
irrigated, some irrigable and some
which has not prospect OF being re-
claimed at present. The greatest boon
which may come TO the community
as a whole is the development of
every acre of this land by the produc-
ton of the exact crop which VIII
yield its owner the highest returns on
his investment. Perhaps it may Be
apples. perhaps alfalfa, perhaps cat
tie, perhaps a truck garden. maybe
a dairy, possibly grazing, and may
hap only a game preserve for the roo
and gun club. But each acre Will
be doing its share in providing for
the necessities and the wants OF cu-
man kind.
In a sense il is conservation, in an
other sense intensive agriculture and
development, but in no sense is there
a waste. That this idea of develop
ment Is taking root is shown by this
trend Of recent events, notable among
which might be mentioned the forma-
tinu Of the Johnson Ranch company
last week, for the utilization and do
velopment Of reservation lands. That
this idea combines many possibilities
is evidenced by the wide scope which
il embraces In addition to the major
fruits such as apples, peaches, pears
and the like, the operations OF this
concern embrace the raising of grapes
and berries and potatoes, asparagu.
and other vegetables which may be
adapted to that location in addition %
hay, cattle. dairying beef. grazing and
the like, anything and everything that
will utilize the soil and natural re-
sources 10 the best advantage.
In this idea of intensive develop
ment enters the labor problem, Il S.t-
uation which is ever and always Vari-
able and critical. The Indian proved
a success as an adjunct 10 the hop
industry is proving just as valuable
in the potato industry and it is be-
leyel that the small fruit ana berr
Industry on the reservation Will ono
If these days enjoy an advantage ovTr
other sections because OF the assist
ance To be derived from the Indian
wumans labor. Al any rate, no de.
|yelopment OF any community j. com
pletc without the utilization of labor
advantages as Web as markets, eli
mate, transportation ana soil. 1t s
2 promising omen when the course %
events proves that all of these mat
tiers are taken into consideration b.
the men who are making a commu-
I nity's history. The Yakima valley Is
/ indeed fortunate in leaving behind
| the speculative stage al this carly date
/ In order TO realize the advantage q!
/ her diversified crop possibilities.
I Det'oit has a municipal admins
/ tratiou that is seriously thinking OF
rejecting a half-million- dollar be-
/ quest from an old-time gambler be-
cause Of the faint which is said tc
cling to in-gotten gains. What De
t-oit needs is "a business admins.
tratiou along liberal lines"