Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-04-19
NEW DEVELOPMENT
WORK PROMOTED
BY BOARD OF TRADE

Every citizen of Salem should be
deeply interested in a plan which
will promote intensive cultivation in
small tracts, of the adjacent farm
lands. The rapid development, and
almost unlimited subdivision which
follows irrigation in the semi-arid
regions has led the Board of Trade
to think seriously of encouraging
this new method of agriculture for
the Willamette Valley. We cannot
deny that the larger portion of our
valley lies idle and unproductive
during the best crop-producing
period, after the removal of the
early grain or hay crops. Dry-farm-
ing methods have been practiced SO
long that the lands are beginning to
rebel and something must be done
to awaken a new interest in agricul-
tural development.
The conservation movement in
general, and more particularly irri-
cation in the Willamette Valley, will
be the subject for consideration at
$3.50 Wednesday evening, April goth,
at the Board of Trade rooms. Mr.
j. N. Teal, of Portland, chairman of
the Oregon Conservation Commits
sion, will be the leading speaker. All
who are interested should attend An
opportunity will be given at the
close of the meeting for a thorough
discussion of the subject
The few experiments indicate that
three crops of clover and fall pasture
can be produced by irrigation, where
only one crop is now grown. Like
wise, four crops of alfalfa with
pasture can be produced. The in
creased yield of truck gardens
through irrigation from the city
water system is familiar to many.
The general opinion prevails that
the growth of young orchards and
nursery stock can be greatly in
creased and the quality of fruit i'm
proved, by limited irrigation.
The rainfall records show less
precipitation during June, July and
August than many points in distinct
ly arid regions. At Salem we have
only 2.25 inches, as compared 6.2
inches at Santa Fe. New Mexico, and
8 inches at Denver, Colorado. If
this precipitation for three months
Is analyzed, we find it occurs in
scattering showers Of so limited
quantity as to be of almost no value
TO agricultural crops.
For years the newspapers and
commercial clubs have been adver-
tisiug the fact that irrigation is not
necessary in this valley and we have
come to accept this statement with
out careful consideration of the
precipitation records and the expert
mental results accomplished. To
continue this system of advertising
is to drive away capital and retard
settlement, as the East has during
the past few years been educated to
the high value of western irrigated
lands. Irrigation bonds are in great
demand, and irrigation projects arc
now eagerly sought after.
If irrigation will prove of benefit,
then the sooner the farmer is edu-
Gated TO the fact, the better for an
concerned. 1t is up to the CONNER
cial interests to decide this matter
and get behind the movement. Tho
lands at present are held at such
prices that capital hesltates to pur-
chase outright for irrigation pur-
poses, and the general sentiment Is
so adverse to irrigation that capital
will not undertake the preliminary
expense of organizing a project. The
only method appears to be through
the education of the landowner to
the increased value which irrigation