THE IRRIGATION AGE. 45 



The waterto irrigate this land will be taken from the Snake river 

 at a place known as "The Five Mile Rapids;'' had a sample of this 

 water and four samples of the soil analyzed at the Pullman Experi- 

 ment Station, this state. The analysis showed that the soil contained 

 all the elements in a marked degree necessary for vegetable growth, 

 and the water of the best kind for irrigation purposes. The practical 

 tests of this water and soil is shown by the orchards that are grown 

 on the bottom lands along the Snake river which are irrigated by 

 current wheels. These orchards are famous for their wonderful 

 growth and large yearly crops of fine large fruit. Snake river fruit 

 has a great reputation for size and fine quality wherever known. 



The flow of the Snake river at extreme low water is 18,000 cubic 

 feet per second of time. 



One- half of the 20,000 acres belongs to the Northern Pacific Rail- 

 way Co. The other half is government land. A few quarter sections 

 have been taken up by settlers, and some of them are occupied. 



For irrigation purposes the railway land can be bought very 

 cheap, in the neighborhood of one dollar per acre. The railway 

 company also owns a large tract of grazing land above this irrigable 

 land and below the famous Walla Walla wheat fields which can be 

 bought very cheap, much less than one dollar per acre. 



The party, or parties, that would irrigate this 20,000 acres can 

 get 15,000 acres of this irrigable land, purchase 10,000 from the rail- 

 way company, and obtain one half of the other 10,000 acres for water 

 rights for 5,000 acres. Also purchase from 20,000 to 30,000 acres of 

 fine grazing land which would be very valuable when the other land 

 is irrigated. The land lies in such a 'position that it can be irrigated 

 with about twelve miles of main canal. 



No better arid land and water can be found in any other place in 

 the United States, and, I question if any better climate for health and 

 temperate zone products can be found any where else, and not at a 

 latitude 46 15 North. 



Water in a sure and never failing abundance as long as water 

 flows, with the very best possible title to water rights with no possi- 

 bility of any one ever disputing these rights, which has been the bane 

 of many an otherwise good irrigation proposition. 



I was interested in reading a description of the Pecos Valley, 

 New Mexico, as described in THE AGE for September. I have read 

 considerable about the irrigation works in that valley. In reference 

 to climate, products of the soil, quality of the fruit, variety and pro- 

 duction of agricultural products that valley cannot surpass this local- 

 ity. In some respects in natural resources this locality surpasses the 

 Pecos Valley. 



As the railroads are now giving very cheap round trip rates 

 probably many parties will be induced to make a trip out to this 

 country for investigation and investment. 



Any one wanting further information can address, 



A. A. BATCHELLER, at Townsend, Wash. 



