The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-10-11


iaVorably situated townsite to be found
IN the upper valley. Indeed il was
ABOUT the only extent of fiat land anv-
WHERE near level of the water course
| met with on the excursion, aside from
a.leW leW oozy spots that were close to the
al.er OF lakes, and took on the char
acter vi swamp. AT this point is the
,ails or the Okanogan, where much
iatent energy is going to waste, but
Whlcn Will at some later day be util-
Nea ior power purposes. 1t may be
stated IN passing that the Ellis hold
ings extend almost to Dog lake. and
tnat plan has long been in contem-
piatlon Tor carrying water from the
river near the falls to the lands
III the neighborhood of Fairview and
on down to the international line. The
waters of the lake are spilled directly
over ridge of rock, thus forming the
rails. There are two channels Great
ed by diminutive island. and no
where can there be found a water
power that could be so easily and
cheaply conserved, handled and bar-
messed.
Okanogan Falls is town in the
embryonic stage, but that the town
site owner has visions of future great
ness is manifested in the price at
which he is holding lots. However.
that is his business, the lot prices cor
respond with the acreage prices. and
If he is not too old man, and has no
hard luck, he will live to see OkanOgan
Falls one of the prettiest and most
hourishing places on the other side of
the line. AS stated before it is the
choicest natural townsite in the upper
valley. A gradually sloping flat is in
semicircle form around a small por-
tion of the lower part of the lake, per-
hitting of perfect drainage. The falls
are an asset that will contribute large
ly to the building up of a town when
once the power running to waste is
put to use. The fruit lands near at
hand will be an important factor as a
tributary resource in town building
Eventually railroad will be con-
structed through the valley, and that
will have it's influence in boosting Ok
anOgan Falls. From scenic point of
view the location cannot be surpassed.
Already there is a large store estab-
lished, several lines of business are
represented, a hotel is located on the
lake front, and very large lumber
yard supplied by local saw mill.
From appearances the lumber indus
try promises to aid to considerable
extent in the towns future welfare.
There is transportation in small way
on the lake, as barges are loaded at a
wharf. towed up Dog lake by gasoline
boats, where the freight is hauled by
wagon to Penticton. If nothing else
it will eventually become summer
resort of such attraction as to draw
hundreds of people to the place, for
more pleasing, pleasantly delightful
spot to spend the summer months in
lazy enjoyment could not easily be
found, search where you will.
1t is at this point and on the high
lands around Dog lake that is to be
noted the first indications of the fruit
industry that has made Penticton and
that part of the Okanogan valley ia
nous, and is in the end to make many
people wealthy, or at least supply them
a comfortable competency. 1t is, as 1t
were. the edge of the tide sweeping
down the valley into newer terri
tory from the older developd fruit
growing section a few miles to the
northward around the big lake. 1t is
the latest improved orchard lands, and
the trees in the main have only been
recently set out This reclamation
and planting will continue to sweep
southwark until it finally engulfs the
great Ellis tract, reaching to the
boundary line. But what will force
fully strike the visitor from these
narts is the nature of the country that
has been irrigated, cultivated ana
nlanted to trees. AS before stated,
hog lake has no shore line. The noun
tains shoot up directly from the water
In order to make orchards the en-
terprising Canadian must apply his
ingenuity and eXertions to the uplands,
and few people in America have seen
rougher land put to such use. KNOBS,
ridges. peaks and pot holes are utll-
ized How the land was ever broken
ont in some instances is mystery,
and how the fruit will be garnered
vben the trees are once in bearing Is
a nroblem that time alone can solve.
II has been suggested that the frult
would probably be shaken from the
trees into canvas shoots and by gravity
oonveved to the lake for loading on
hoats TO be transported somewhere 10
a Iavel spot from whence shipments
could be made. But it is up TO the
land owner, and the men who nave
haen able to beautify those hills with
gourishing orchards will find way
nut Of the dilemma Why the hills to
out of the dilema. Why the mis- ~
the west of Oroville, known as Grahd
View Viz, addition. are level as compared
70 much of the land devoted to or,
cbards 81 around Dog lake. And IN an
re broken roughness this land Is r.
nioated The water is brought from
snn,e distant source far up IN the
,,onptains. 1t is not brought through
fumes and bitches, as lrriga,'oni 10
narried on in the more level portiohs
Of the valley. because such a sys.en,
would speedily wash the mn siues il,id ,aid
niles Underground pipes are la,u
aione the rows of trees, ana the mail
ter Under pressure flows through s,lia,r MAJ
onpatures in the pipes. thus reach.hs ~
tha tree roots without dampehins IN 1He
surface. The initial cost hakes ;nrs
. au, varv expensive method OF irrlga'iun, .ha
hut Undoubtedly it proves 10 W. this iHs
puo p.aonost in the end Because by III. thiS
omstam one man can manage the iir,, ~
aotion of a large tract tnere 10 ,,I ~
snss of water by evaporatioii' anu 0''