THE NATIONAL ^NURSERYMAN 
217 
French Pear Seedlings, Washington Nursery Co., September 
The lands for the most part are still held in Indian owner¬ 
ship, although what are known as “heirship lands,” that is, 
lands belonging to heirs of deceased natives, are being sold by 
the government on appraisal, and in this way some 15,000 
acres have already passed into the possession of white farmers. 
These lands together with some 35,000 acres of the Indian 
allotments that are being operated under leaseholds by white 
men make up what may be termed the producing portion of 
the reservation. 
All farming is done under irrigation, the Indian Service 
branch of the Federal Interior Department having con¬ 
structed a system of ditches capable of supplying all the water 
required for the above acreage. 
The soil which may be described as a mixture of volcanic 
ash and alluvial deposits, is extremely fertile, lends itself 
readily to tillage, and produces abundantly of almost all 
products of the temperate zone and of many which might be 
classed as semi-tropical. 
Thus far in its development the reservation has been given 
over chiefly to the growing of alfalfa hay, of which approxi¬ 
mately 20,000 tons are produced each year. On a smaller 
scale, potatoes, onions, melons, and similar products are 
marketed. Dairying and general stock raising are rapidly 
attaining an important position in the industries of the dis¬ 
trict. 
Some years ago it was discovered that the reservation 
lands are particularly well adapted to the growing of choice 
nursery stock. The combination of a rich, deep soil, long 
growing period, with an abundant moisture supply always 
under control, made a strong appeal to Mr. A. W. McDonald, 
Apple Buds, Washington Nursery Co., July 22d 
