THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST 



359 



Yakima Winesaps and Spitzenbergs, or 

 about three times what we pay for 

 oranges. 



OKANOGAN PROJECT, WASHINGTON 



One of the most interesting sections 

 of the Northwest agricuhnrally is the 

 Okanogan Valley, in northern Washing- 

 ton. While the project now being built 

 in this valley by the Service is classed 

 as one of the minor works, it is destined 

 in the near future to add 10,000 acres 

 of the most valuable land in the West 

 to the cultivated area of the State. The 

 orchards of this valley are among the 

 most attractive in the world, and the fruit 

 grown ranks with the best on the market. 



For many years the valley has been 

 so remote from transportation that its 

 development has been slow. The Great 

 Northern is now building a branch north- 

 ward into it, and before this season's 

 crops are gathered the Okanogan coun- 

 try will be in position to market its 

 products in competition with the other 

 celebrated fruit-growing districts of the 

 Northwest. 



te;n applicants for each farm : the 

 yuma project 



The wonders of the delta of the Colo- 

 rado River have been described so often 

 that the public is now quite familiar with 

 the valley of the American Nile. As 

 proof of the public's interest in this re- 

 gion, nothing better can be mentioned 

 than the recent opening of the first unit 

 of the Yuma project, in California, on 

 March i, 19 10. On that date 174 farms, 

 averaging 40 acres each, were thrown 

 open to entry, and there were approxi- 

 mately ten applicants for each farm. 

 Successive units, to be opened as the 

 work proceeds, are likely to prove as at- 

 tractive as the first to homeseekers. 



Just now the engineers are boring a 

 tunnel under the river, in which it is pro- 

 posed to lay a concrete-lined siphon i ,000 

 feet long, with an internal diameter of 

 14 feet. In this siphon a portion of the 

 waters of the big canal on the California 

 side will be passed under the river to the 

 canal on the Arizona side. Considerable 



power will be developed at the outlet of 

 the siphon, which will be utilized to lift 

 water to the lands above the gravity 

 system. 



SAET RIVER PROJECT, ARIZONA 



I shall never forget my first impression 

 of the Salt River X'alley. There was a 

 whisper of spring in the soft and fra- 

 grant air that morning when I stepped 

 from the Pullman car. After a dusty 

 and tedious journey across the desert, the 

 picture that greeted my eyes was that of 

 another and a tropical land. In the early 

 dawn the summits of the distant hills 

 were glowing "like a Catherine pear the 

 side that's next the sun." 



In the grounds about the Capitol the 

 vegetation was almost tropical in its lux- 

 uriance and variety. Here and there 

 were wide avenues of magnificent palms, 

 or shapely umbrella trees, with pleasant 

 homes almost hidden by vines and flow- 

 ers. Almond trees in blossom filled the 

 air with fragrance. In succeeding visits 

 to this sunny valley I have been im- 

 pressed and fascinated with its future 

 possibilities. The wide variety of crops 

 which may be produced profitably here 

 must attract agricultural experts from all 

 parts of the country. 



There is not a single day in the year 

 when nature is not ready and willing to 

 respond to the industry of the husband- 

 man. The oranges are of superior qual- 

 ity and flavor. Dates yield abundantly, 

 as also do figs, lemons, grape fruit, olives, 

 and peaches. 



Five to seven cuttings of alfalfa are 

 grown, averaging seven to ten tons per 

 acre. 



OSTRICH FARMING IS VERY PROFITABLE 



Ostrich farming is proving a very 

 profitable industry, and nearly 8,000 birds 

 are now owned in the valley. I am told 

 each full-grown bird is good for $30 

 worth of feathers annually. An infinite 

 variety of small fruits and vegetables, 

 harvested early when the markets are 

 best, make the truck industry a profitable 

 one. For eight months in the year the 

 climate here is unsurpassed. 



