282 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



June 



ing the Okanogan valley between the 

 towns of Alma and Riverside. The 

 water supply is believed to be insuf- 

 ficient for the proper irrigation of 

 more than 10,000 acres, 1,500 acres of 

 which are already irrigated. 



The limited area of the tract and its 

 location in the heart of an extensive 

 range country, which would be de- 

 pendent upon it for its winter feed, 

 would insure a profitable and per- 

 manent market for forage. The 

 lands are also well adapted to the pro- 

 duction of deciduous fruits and nuts, 

 and when cultivated in these products 

 would yield large returns. Lands 

 near Wenatchee, of similar character, 

 with adequate water supply, are worth 

 from $150 to $200 per acre. 



The climate is mild, but some years 

 the exceptional depth of snow pre- 

 vents the feeding of stock on the 

 range. The growing season lasts 

 about six months and light crops of 

 hay or potatoes can be raised without 

 irrigation. The present value of non- 

 irrigated land is about $5 per acre, 

 when irrigated, from $40 to $100. 

 Three crops of alfalfa producing from 

 four to six tons per acre are harvested 

 and temperate fruits, small fruits, 

 vegetables and wheat are raised. The 

 fuel supply is practically unlimited on 

 account of the heavy growth of tim- 

 ber in the hills and mountains. 



Lumber for building purposes can 

 be obtained at reasonable prices $8 

 to $15 per thousand, board measure, 

 at the mills, which are located at vari- 

 ous points for convenient hauling. 

 Good markets are found in Seattle, 

 Tacoma, Spokane and Alaska. 



On account of the possibilities for 

 high development it is believed that 

 the farm units will be small. 



In case the investigations now in 

 progress do not develop a material in- 

 crease in the present estimates of cost 

 .the construction of the project will 

 rest largely with the land owners 

 and their readiness to comply with 

 the required terms. 



Ktucl> inu Quality of California 

 Waters. 



The California Legislature, during 

 its last session appropriated a sum of 



money to be used in cooperation with 

 the U. S. Geological Survey for the 

 purpose of determining the economic 

 qualities of the waters of the state, 

 and a contract has just been executed 

 by which the work shall be carried on. 

 It provides, in brief, for the determina- 

 tion of the quality of the natural wa- 

 ters in the state of California and 

 their adaptability for use for domestic 

 and industrial purposes, the seasonal 

 variation in composition, and the dam- 

 age which they have sustained by rea- 

 son of pollution. It is also provided that 

 thi? investigation shall be under the 

 joint direction of the Director of the 

 U. S. Geological Survey and the Sec- 

 retary of the State Board of Exami- 

 ners. 



The practical results of this work 

 will be to provide the residents of the 

 state of California with information 

 concerning the adaptability of the var- 

 ious water supplies of the state for 

 use in industrial and domestic pur- 

 poses. It is a well recognized fact 

 that the quality of water in any re- 

 gion determines in a large measure 

 the industrial development of that re- 

 gion, and it has frequently been ob- 

 served that an industry will locate at 

 points where there is available water 

 of a quality specially favorable to that 

 particular industry. The water in a 

 certain area, for example, may be of 

 a quality favorable for use in a dis- 

 tillery when it could in no wise be 

 utilized in a soap factory. Therefore 

 it is necessary to secure the facts in 

 relation to the quality of water sup- 

 plies of a state in order that the high- 

 est industrial development may be se- 

 cured. 



In addition to the industrial features 

 there are present in California pecul- 

 iar conditions with reference to 

 sources of water for domestic pur- 

 poses. It has been noted in some 

 cases that certain supplies during ordi- 

 nary seasons are too hard or contain 

 too much salt to be used with satis- 

 faction for household purposes. Wa- 

 ter from these same sources during 

 times of flood is, however, of good 

 quality. This suggests the possibility 

 of conserving flood waters for domes- 





