The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-07-19
BEST METHODSFOR
ETT[ERS
Advice for Handling Or.
chard Soil-U. S. Gov
eminent Bulletin.

Washington, D. c., July 19-"Sug-
gestionS to Settlers on the Sandy
Soils of the Columbia River Valley"
is the title of a pamphlet just issued
by the United States department of
agriculture for the especial benefit of
newcomers who have taken up or will
take up homes along the Columbia
river between The Dalles and Priest
Rapids, but what is said of this par
ticular country is true of other locali-
ties in eastern Washington and
southern Idaho, where similar soil
and climatic conditions prevail.
According to the writer of this bull
letin, many settlers going into the
Columbia river valley do so with the
intention of becoming orchardists
and, being eager to share in the pro-
fits now being made by the earlier
settlers, are prone to be too hasty in
laying out their farms, planting
trees, etc.
THE new settler, cautions the
writer, should not be in too great
haste to get a commercial orchard
planted. 1t is far better to grow al
falfa or clover for one or more years,
an din the meantime decide upon the
kind and varieties of fruit to be
grown than to plant Immediately and
run the risk of planting that which
is not desirable"
Points Out Obstacles.
After describing climatic and soil
conditions in a way that will be help
full to the new arrival, showing the
scarcity of rainfall, which varies
from 6 inches at Kennewick to SIS
inches at Umatilla, dwelling upon the
soil formation and the varieties OF
soil to be encountered, the writer
points out the obstacles that con
front the intending Orchardist, and
enumerates the expenses which he
must bear before he can begin te
realie upon his investment.
Considerable valuable advice is
given as to the best methods of get
ting a farm in shape and how best
to apply water after the crops are
planted. The amounts of water
needed for various crops are SCI
forth, the amount varying with the
character of soil and lay of the land
Irrigation in the Columbia river
valley should begin about April L.
says the report, and for most crops
on sandy soil frequent applications
are necessary during the growing
season. Every two weeks is perhaps
none too often to irrigate orchards
alfalfa and clover"
The writer cautions against irriga'
ton of orchards after September 10
for late irrigation keeps up the
growth of the trees too long and sub.
jects them to the danger of winter
killing Considerable stress is laid
on the danger of over-irrigation
which results in flooding and drown
ing out of land, which in turn means
its practical destruction. Hand in
hand with irrigation, to obtain the
best results, must go proper drain.
age to carry off surplus waters be.
meath the surface
Methods of Planting.
A vast amount of advice is giver
as to the best methods of clearing
and seeding the land of this valley
where trouble is often encountered
drifting sands. This has been one
of the great drawbacks of the past
but it can be overcome.
The report recommends the initia
planting of alfalfa on all lands Of
the Columbia river valley, as this
crop enricheS the soil, which is OF
itself none too rich in nitrogen. Once
the soil is in good condition, it will
successfully grow not only apples
but peaches, apricots, cherries, straw
berries and other berries, grapes
truck vegetables, particularly aspar
agus, potatoes, onions, etc. The new
settler, however, is warned against
attempting to raise many of these
crops until the soil has been proper
ly and sufficiently fertilized.
A chapter of the pamphlet is de-
voted to varieties of fruit trees hes,
adapted to the Columbia river valley
all of it advice that will prove help
full to the new settler. The pamph.
let is issued for free distribution ant
may be had upon application to the
department or to senator's and con
gressmen. While prepared primarily
for the new settler, the pamphlet IL
one that can be read with benefit BY
the experienced farmer, though mos,
of the valuable facts with regard t.
crops and varieties were CLEANED
from the pioneers in this irrigated
district.