The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1910-03-04
Entered at the postofiee at oroville, Washing
ton, as second class matter.

Entered at the postOIlce A. OrOFllief Washing
ton, as second class matter.
IN the capacity OF soil for production
rests the wealth of the land OF
any country. 1t is the chemical ele-
ments in the dirt, under proper ele-
mental conditions, that gives tits pro-
ductive capacity. and those conditions
are climate and an equitable distribu-
ton of moisture. There are localities
where the land is barren of vegetation
beyond a ragged growth OF practic-
ally worthless shrubs, and those local
tiles are known as arid. or semi-arld,
districts The absence of vegetation i
not owing to the incapacity Of the soil
to produce. but because the rain fall Is
not sufficient to terminate seed and
sustain the sprout until the plant
reaches maturity. The one fertilizer
lacking TO make this arid, or semi
arid, land yield abundantly IS water,
and wherever water has been con-
demonstrated that the soil is responsive
70 wonderful degree. Usually where
aridity prevails the climate is auspic-
iOus TO plant life, and when the want Is
supplied that completes the favorable
elemental combinations bountiful har-
vests are assured. This knowledge of
the value Of arid, or semi-arid, lands
after once supplied with water has
been gained by experiment and expert
ence, and has encouraged efforts along
the lines of irrigation. The practice
Of retaining lands by means Of irriga-
ton is older than civilization, but it Is
only OF comparatively late years, after
the best Of the public lands of the
country have been appropriated, that
irrigation has become matter Of such
general importance. not only appeal
ing TO the investment Of private capt.
al on large scale, but attracting the
attention and securing the support of
the national government. Much has
already been done both by the govern
ment and individual endeayor in re-
storing TO a state Of productiveness
thousands OF waste acres, but more
will be accomplished in the future as
the good results becomes more gener-
ally known, understood and appreciat-
ed. There are few localities in the
west where the benefits Of irrigation
have been more thoroughly demon
strated than right here in Okanogan
county through the reclamation service
Of the national government, and by
private projects on a more limited
scale. The benefits mentioned insofar
as affecting lands in this county are as
yet more in the striking advance in
values than in the extent of increased
production. That is to come later, and
will follow in due time as has been H.
lustrated by the yield of such land In
small tracts as has felt the magic in
fueuce Of water long enough 20 make
yielding Of the fruits of the earth pos
sible. The valleys where the lands
are being reclaimed have the advan-
( tage of mild and equitable climate,
/ insuring harvest from the seed plant
ed. While the artificial application
Of water develops and invigorates all
plant life, yet irrigation has become
synonymous with orchard culture, and
fruit growing is the chief industry
where water is conveyed upon arid
land. In Okanogan county the object
Of reclamation is to raise fruit. and
wherever fruit has been produced by
aid OF moisture distributing bitches it
has been Of color, size and quality
to compare favorably, or even surpass,
the best fruit on the market. 1t is the
quantity per acre and quality of the
fruit that has created lively demand
for the reclaimed lands of Okanogan
county, and given them a value that is
little short of marvellous. Government
aid and private enterprise has already
provided for watering thousands OF
acres of the valley and table lands OF
this county, and other projects will be
inaugurated until every available tract
will in time be devoted to fruit culture.
Such material advantages and gain Is
attached to irrigation that every en-
enlargement should be extended when
a project of the kind is set on foot.