The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1911-08-18
rr rs IN THE SOIL.

taken the tTouDle W lhloTlll
elves by personal examination
sweeping transformation that
,keu place on the fiat east of
within the past few months,
the intelligent application of
and liberal distribution of
should waste no further time,
rslk out, or drive out and be
,sed at the revelation. 1t is easy
h from distance that remark
change has taken place in the
ucape, but in order to iully ap-
lste the extent of that change,
n the virtues of an incomparably
N soil. cheered on by that neces-
auxiliary, moisture, requires a
Inspection. Everybody can re-
her the unattractive. monotonous,
stretch of sage brush and early
a scanty vegetation that formerly
the eye in that quarter, a sight
never for a moment suggested a
Nj look. There are still unculti-
matches on the fiat that present
sane general dull and repulsive
larance. II anything, more repul-
than when continuous stretch
nmeness in contrast with the
ht green luxurious foliage ad-
IN; one wonders if it were possi-
that the productive field on one
could ever have been in the same
kdition as the brown. barren open
und on the other. 1t sure was.
louday, for the first time this sum-
n. the writer had an opportunity
inspect at close quarters some of
tracts on the fiat, and while he
hught he had an idea of what the
IA was doing in the way OF produc-
4. he soon discovered that his
owledge on the subject was so mea-
that II might be classed as dense
Sofance. No one can form a re-
be conception of the possibilities
the soil, and what it is now pro-
Acing without going over some of
Aese tracts and inspecting the riot
n vegetation. Such visit is well
10Th while. 1t will arouse pride in
X country, and make one feel that
/, or she, is enjoying advantages that
hw fortunately situated mortals are
kpriyed Of. 1t will deeply impress
e With the wonderful capabilities of
Y soil. 1t will convince one that in
! ieW years the Okanogan valley will
= b 2 position to contribute vast
Gonsge Of fruits, melons and vege-
nlls to the annual output of the
la(e, resource that will become a
Hurce of immense annual income to
toee engaged in the cultivation of
tie valley lands.
Among the numerous tracts under
there is none that so ap-
peals to the visitor as "BOnnycrOft,"
he home Of DoOley p. Wheeler. 1t
nay hardly be fair to draw cOmpari-
lon between Mr.. Wheeler's home place
md adjoining acreages, because Mr..
Wheeler has the advantage over other
mall tract owners in being profess
ional h0rticulturist, if the word can
,e 30 applied to man VINO has had
ong experience in fruit culture;
makes all things pertaining to plants
I'D plant life careful study; who
Vatches and notes the effect of sea-
cns, soil and surroundings on the
rowth Of trees and vegetables; who
lants trees and seed by mathemati-
al precision; who, in fact, has the
uainess down to 2 science. But Mr..
Wheeler is young man wno loves
he work he IS engaged in, and be-
eves in following the best means to
reduce the best results; hence, 1t is
'ell to linger upon his oasis and gaze
ing On the products of his nandi-
ork However, it is not of Mr..
'heeler so much as of Mr.. Wheeler's
lodel orchard tract that this item
as to do. Five months ago his home
ace, now so refreshing to the eye,
as like the bare stretch Of real es-
lte on The other side of the fence.
ne can hardly believe that such a
ansformation could be wrought in so
mort time. But it certainly has
zen done. Cultivation, water, appil-
ition, the knowing how it should be
one, and doing it, is the secret of his
lccess. The same returns Will re-
ard any one who will apply the same
cans. He has five acres set out 10
e best commercial varieties OF ap-
es, and they are making wonderous
'owth. Between the rows of trees are
anted vegetables and melons. TINS
nowlse interferes with the develop
ent OF the trees. The growth OF tnls
lrden truck is much in the nature OF
oplcal luxuriance. He planted thlr-
varieties of seed that have germl-
lted and developed a vigorous
owth. One does not recover from
g surprise Occasioned by the eXalnl-
ltlon of the wonderful prolihcness
one species of vegetable until more
rprise. is aroused by the sight OF
eater prOlificness in some other va
aty. The yield of some of the plants
almost beyond belief, small patches
eiding so many fold as to cause one
marvel at the fecundity of the dlrt
sponsible for the production. A ie"
ws Of vines that matt over aud con-
al the ground contain tons OF ple'
melons. In some cases they grow
nests, crowding each other Ior
ace in which to expand. CucumDers
EN- to yield with eXtravagant waste
mess. From one spot, that couid pe
vered with an ordinary soft hat, MI
neeler picked twelve large cucuih-
rs, the lot weighing some htteell
unds Hills of dwarf sweet corn
We six, seven and eight ears 10 the
Il. He has flourishing peanut vines
~ promise large crop. 1t wouiu
impossible within the scope OF d
suiy written item to note IN the
II the various vegetable wonders u
seen at "Ronnycroft - oven the pie