The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1911-07-07
A LAND RICH IN PROMISE
Only Requiring a Judicious
Distribution of Life
Giving Water
TO BLOSSOM LIKE A ROSE
Land That Is Now Reasonable
Will Be Worth Big Money
Few Years Hence.

Every stranger visiting this part of
the Okanogan valley marvels at the
latent possibilities here presented for
fruit culture. The locality, from its
natural surroundings, is pleasing tc
the eye, and the Incompatible con-
ditions for successful pomological and
horticultural pursuits appeals to the
intelligence of the observer. The val
ley is generally quite level, or no
where so broken as to present any
serious obstacle to irrigation, and the
presence of river of great volume,
two of them, and a large lake imme-
diately at OrOyille, provide an mex
haustible supply of water for reclaim
alton purposes. Then the elements
are so happily combined. in the way
of fecundity of soil and an equitable
climate, that the growth of trees is
rapid and vigorous, and the maturity
of fruit to a degree OF eXcellency
rarely attained elsewhere is always
assured
The evidence of the adaptability of
the soil for fruit growing is present
in old and mature bearing orchards,
the latter having produced heavily,
and in the more recent ventures,
where trees have been planted within
the past year or two. Even where
little care has been taken, orchards
have thrived after getting a start, and
where careful cultivation and a regu
lar supply OF water have been pro-
vided, the result in the way of growth
is astounding. Already, this year,
and the season for growing is not
half over, fruit trees in this vicinity
have made growth of from eighteen
inches to three feet, strong, clean
shoots that will make for healthy
wood another season, while trees of
three years have lowered and are
bearing fruit. An inspection of the
young orchards of the valley would
be revelation to those interested in
fruit culture and give them better
idea of the fertility of the valley lands
than any written description could
possibly convey.
AS yet fruit growing is in its in
fancy in tl.is valley. 1t is only quite
recently that people turned their at
tention to tree planting. That is the
reason that there are not more bear
ing orchards harcabouts. In old days
there was no market for fruit, or, at
least. a very limited one, that few
bearing trees could readily supply
and hence no incentive for tree plant
ing. The advent of the railroad, ana
the prospect for others, has removed
this drawback. and the success that
has followed fruit growing elsewhere
has aroused an active interest In tha'
industry There are still many lule
acres in the valley, just as Sood as
those already under cultivation, out
ri n
the area devoted to fruit is rapldly III
creasing every season, ana Ill Il lew
wears every acre that can oe piaceu
under the influence of wate' VIII De
devoted to fruit productlcn Al ias'
this country is attracting nluch d''eh-
tion on the outside, and people are pc
coming Interested in valley Janus
Elsewhere land adapted to frult grow
ing is held at such high hgures tiias
II is ont OF the reach OF the man VI
moderate n cans. Fruit lands III tie
OkanOgar valley are yet reiSoiiaole
as compared with prices aSkeu anu
naid N other md older settled ana
more developed sections ol the Std.c'
,rho same change will take place mere
a few wears hence, and those VINO IAN
to take advantage Of the present OPP
,,ortunities will be regrettlng tnelr
iacl, of foresight in not gettlnS d 100,
Mold when land was cheap, TOR surely
the enhancement of values will be as as
marked here as they have been wlthlh
the last decade in the Wenatchee ana
other fruit growing districts. lhe
man who can now get five or ten
acres under a ditch, or within easy
roach of water, should do so, for hve
years hence the increase price VIII
nlace it beyond the limits of his re-