THE IRRIGA TION A GE. 413 



louse, before the blossoms appear, thus saving the expense of spraying 

 with insecticides, and insuring perfect specimens. There is no rain 

 during the hop picking season and the hops are put in the dry houses 

 in good condition, with no mold or mildew. A hop yard stands several 

 years if properly worked and the owners net more per acre than any 

 other crop in the west. 



Truck farming has become a prominent agricultural industry and 

 the era of small farms has been inaugurated. Melons produce wonder- 

 ful crops which are sold on the markets of Puget Sound. Green corn, 

 tomatoes, onions and similar products are grown extensively, but the 

 demand far exceeds the supply. Strawberries pay handsome profits 

 one man has harvested about 4<X> crates from a little less than an acre, 

 this year, the prices averaging $1.50 per crate, or 8603.00 an acre. 

 "Winter apples are shipped as far as England, where they command 

 good prices. The orchardists received an average of 75 cents per 

 bushel box at home this spring. The Northern Pacific railway com. 

 pany co-operates with the growers in giving exceptionally low rates 

 for shipping out the products of the soil, hence those who produce 

 what the market demands are always assured remunerative figures for 

 their labor. 



The horticulturists of Yakima Valley are learning the lessons of 

 intensive soil culture, and the consumers of their products have seen 

 the mauy benifits of scientific irrigation. Fruits grown by irrigation 

 possess a distinctive flavor and deliciousness which gives them the 

 preference when placed in competition with the rainbelt products. 

 The man who thoroughly understands the art of irrigating, which 

 must be obtained by reading irrigation literature and constant personal 

 experience, can control the growth and development of his fruits. 

 He has the sunshine and soil at his disposal and. is the master of the 

 moisture giving elements. The trees and vines are watered when the 

 demands of nature are made known, and the results are perfect speci- 

 mens, natural flavor and superior quality. 



