/t //» 7 ' 1/ inly 11. mo. I'. S. DEPAR nil XT OF AGRICULTURE, BUBE \r OF PLANT [NDU8TB"Y Circalai No. 60. it i. c, vi i.i>\\ \v. ' bit : •■( Bureau. I SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS ON THE SANDY soil.s OF THE COLUMBIA ItlVKI! VALLEY. BYKON HUNTEK, Assistant Aobi< dltubist, Office of Farm Manaobmsnt, - o JAYNE Irrigation Managkr, Offici ofExferdcbnt Stations. -10 — 1 <■•,-*, DEPOSITORY 9 Bl'REAU OF PLANT INDISTRT. Chief of Bureau , Beverly T. Galloway. Astistant ('ItitfoJ Bureau, G. Harold Powell. Editor, J. E. Rockwell. Cltiij Clerk, James E. Jones. [Cir. GO] II I' I SI GGESTIONS IV) SETTLERS ON THE SANDY SOILS OF rill-: COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY. INTRODUCTION. Many people are coming t" the irrigated districts of the Pacific Northwest with the view of engaging in commercial orcharding. Being unfamiliar with the soils and climatic conditions of the West and lacking experience in fruit growing and irrigation farming, they are often at ;i loss to know how t" proceed with the development of their farms. The time and expense required to bring an orchard into profitable bearing make it verj important thai the beginning be properlj made. The following discussion of crops and methods of handling the soil i- intended primarily as a guide for the new settler who has not yet acquired experience in farming under the conditions that prevail in the Columbia River Valley. The limitations of this circular forbid detailed discussions, and all that is here attempted is to point out some of the essentials to l>e observed. In preparing these suggestions the results obtained by the best farmers in the oldest districts of the region under discussion have been carefully considered. While these are probably the safest guide obtainable at the present time, the development of these dis- tricts is not sufficiently advanced to indicate definitely just what may be most successful. Much yet remains to l>e ascertained as to the l>e-t methods of irrigating and of building up the productiveness of the soil, as well as to determine the crops and the varieties of fruit that will pay best . The new settler should not be in too greal haste to gel a commercial orchard planted. It is far better to grow alfalfa or clover for one or more years and in the meantime decide upon the kind and varieties of fruit to be grown than to plant immediately and run the risk of planting thai which i- not desirable. DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION. The principal region to which this paper applies i- the low sandy lands <>f the Columbia River Valley lying between the Dalle-. ( Oregon, and Priesl Rapids, Washington. There are many other tracts of similar -oil along the Columbia River above Priesl Rapids, ami -till Kir. <; in a condition to be injured when fro occur. The following table lti ^ <•■- the dates and temperatures "I 32 F. or lower during the month <>l April for the |>a->i li\ ■ || of April, in I \l \ I n I \ . i 'i KENNBWICK, WASH u\n L8H. April 10 12 I April April I. 30 April 12 31 F April 1,25 I April I, 29 1 I. 31 I' April 10, .', r. April in. 25 F April 11,31° F. April II. 27 F. Vpril28 12 I April :. 12 I April I, 29 I April L0, •; I April 12 '■" I April 10 10 I' April I .;. 30 I' April 28, 1 1 I' April 19, H) I April Hi. 30 F. April 29, 29 F. April 20, 32 I April 11, :'.l F. April 30, 32 I' \pnl 24, 12 I April 20, ::i I April 27, 25 F. April 28, 21 I' April 28, 25 I April 29, 27° F. April ."'. :'.l I L908 April I. 30 I April I. _"• I April I . 2 1 I' April i. :j I April 2, 32° 1 April April ;. 28 I' April I 25 I April I. 30 I' April 8, '.-' I April April ".. 20 I April 25, 10 I April 8, 32 F. April _'<■ 32 F. April 5, in F April 7. 24 April I. 32 I. April '.. J'. F. April B, 2 April 5, :'•" F. April v M) F April 9 .1 I April B, 28 F. Ai.nl II. 32 F \pnl II. ."' I' April Iv April Is. 25 F ipril 16 31 I' April 301 April 19, K) I \pnl I- :; 1'. April 21, 29 F. April 19 2 I I April 21, 26 F. April 30, 32 F. [Cir.60] 6 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IN COLUMBIA HIVKK VALLEY. The early season in the low lands of the Columbia River Valley is a great advantage on the one band, since it enables the farmer to obtain the highest prices for early vegetables, small fruits, melons, and similar products. On the other hand, the tender varieties of fruit, such as strawberries, peaches, apricots, and cherries, are more apt to be injured by the late frosts than they would be were the alti- tude higher and the season shorter. SELECTING A FARM. In selecting a farm in one of the irrigated districts in the Columbia River Valley a deep, fine-grained soil with good drainage is very desir- able. II the soil is deep the land can usually be so graded that it can be irrigated and cultivated with the greatest possible ease. If con- siderable grading is done on a shallow soil much damage may resull by bringing the gravel too near the surface where the higher areas have been cut down. A deep, fine-grained soil will also require much less water than a shallow or coarse, sandy soil. When possible sub- soils containing cement gravel should be avoided, for they seriously interfere with drainage and with the root development of plants. The depth of the soil can easily be determined by the \ise of a post- hole digger. While the lower lands usually have the best soils and produce the best crops in the beginning, it must be remembered, when selecting a farm, that they are much nunc likely than the higher areas to be damaged in the future by the rise of seepage water and alkali. The higher areas are also much freer from frost, for the greater elevation, if only a few feet, permits the cold air to settle to the lower levels. A prospective settler should duly consider the amount of water to be supplied per acre, the ability of the company to deliver the water, and the efficiency of the irrigating system. Especially is the latter important in cases where the operating company ceases to have any interest in the irrigation system when the land and water rights are all sold. IMMEDIATE EXPENDITURES NECESSARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FARM. The immediate expense of developing raw land in an irrigated district is considerable. Many people undertake too much and exhaust their resources before paying returns can be obtained from the land. The new settler should carefully consider the following items of expense and make his plans according to his resources. The price of land, with the water light, varies from $200 to s.!()0 per acre, according to the quality of the soil and the distance from transportation facilities. Some land may be found that is cheaper than $200 an acre, but it is very scarce. When sold separately from [Cir. 00] BUGGB8TION8 K) 8ETTLER8 in COL1 MBIA RIVEB VALLEY. 7 the land, the water righl costs From S60 to 1100 an acre Both the land and the water right are usuall} sold on the installment plan. The annual water fee or maintenance charge varies From v i to 12 50 per acre. When the water is pumped l>\ private plan! the cost is usuall) more i han 12.50 an acre. Clearing the land of sagebrush costs From 12.50 to $5 per acre, plowing From $2 to ling from ^"> to $25, and fluming From s in to $15 an acre. In addition to this there is the expense of Fencing, aeeding, and irrigating the first year. In mosl cases ii will be nec- ii\ to provide the dwelling house, stable, team, cow, poultry, wagon, tools, and other equipment. No returns should !>'• expected From tin* land the first year, and I >u t little the second year. During this time the living expenses and countless other items of expense must be met . IRRIGATION. In a region like the '>n<' under discussion in this paper, where iculture is altogether dependent upon irrigation, the use and application of water are verj important phases of farm management. In order t<> secure economj of labor and economj and efficiency of water, careful attention must be given to manj details. OB U)ING The land to be irrigated should l>c so graded that the minor irregu- larities will l>r removed, leaving no knolls <>\ rk requires painstaking care and i- often expensive, l>ni it is absolutely essential to satisfactorj irrigation, [f one can not afford to grade his land properly he had better not attempt to irrigate it. The cost of grading is usuallj less where the field has a moderate slope, for some fall is necessarj to carry t he w ater forw ard. a Under m> circumstances should trees and crops of a permanent character be planted before the grading is well done. While thor- ough preparation of the soil for irrigation is \rr\ essential, it must be remembered thai little grading can !><• done if the soil i- shallow, and without grading irrigation is impracticable except where the soil is naturally verj even.' Bulletins N entitled .1 Information for Beginner ind "litigation oi Alfalfa, .;„>n appli the riculture, W .« - ! D. ( ■ ■•■ Bull< ; ::i- 188 and -1 1. I I lions, • ntitied ' . ikima Valley, Wash and "Irrigation in the S ely; also Farmere' Bullet ■■ :il Information for Beginners in Irrigation" and "In f Alfalfa," respecth • [Ctr 8 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IX COLUMBIA HIVER VALLEY. HEAD DITCHES OR FLUKES. Where the soil is fine enough to prevent undue loss by seepage, head ditches may he used from which to distribute the water into the furrows, hut where the soil is lighl and sandy and the subsoil is gravelly or composed of coarse sand, flumes should be used almost invariably. They are more expensive in the beginning but, considering the saving of water and the greater facility in handling it, are much cheaper in the end. It is difficult to regulate properly the distribution of water from ditches; on steep grades they cut deeply and on flat ones they are constantly filling with silt and drifting sand. Practically all of these difficulties are obviated by the use of flumes. Cedar is the material best suited for their construction. Fir costs less hut splits badly and checks from exposure to the sun. Flumes should he kept as low as possible to lessen the liability of blowing over and to prevent the washing of the soil by the water dropping from a considerable height into the furrows below. FURROWS. Where the soil is sandy and coarse, water moves downward from the furrow by gravity much more rapidly than it does to the side by capillarity. If the furrows are too far apart a great deal of water will pass into the gravelly subsoil and be lost before the spa< between the furrows become properly wet. By digging trenches at right angles across the furrows at several points soon after irrigating, some idea may be gained as to the relative rapidity with which water penetrates the soil below and to each side of the irrigation furrow. In this way the irrigator can determine approximately the distance apart the furrows should be for any particular soil. The aim should be to have them close enough together for the spaces between the furrows to become wet by the time the water has penetrated to the porous subsoil below. With soil 2 feet deep, water will probably reach the subsoil before it will wet the spaces between furrows 2 feet apart. When this is the case they should be closer together, probably a foot or 18 inches apart. Experience has shown, also, that the furrows should be much shorter in the sandy soils of the Columbia River Valley than those commonly used on finer, heavier soils. A square 10-acre tract should have three or four lines of flumes crossing it, making the furrows 220 feet long with three lines of flumes, or 165 feet long with four. In a coarse, sandy soil there is too much water lost by seepage near the flumes or head ditches when the furrows are long. SIZE OF STREAM TO USE. Water is supplied to the irrigating furrows from holes in the sides of the flumes or from lath spouts in the hanks of the head ditches. [Cir. 60] BU0GE8TION6 in SI Mill:- IN COL1 MBIA RIVEB VALLEY. '.> There Bhould be a hole for each furrow , because il requires too much attention i<> divide a Btream and divert the water into two or three furrows. The size of the Btream t'> run in the furrows depends upon the character of the -oil Mini the grade "f tin- furrow Generally speaking, the coarser the -oil and the steeper the grade the smaller should be the Btream. When first beginning t<> irrigate, it is best to turn on all <>f the water that the furrow will ' -aiT\ without washing too badly, in order t<> get the entire length "f tli<' furrow wel as quicklj as possible. The stream ma} then be reduced until there will he no waste of water at the «-ii< I of the furrow. While a -mall stream will usuallj L r i\e the best results, tlie irrigator must learn from experience the size most satisfactory for lii- conditions. The aim Bhould be to apply the water as quicklj as possible, gel the ground evenlj moistened, and prevent the washing of the soil in the furrow- and the loss of water l>\ seepage. W II i.\ I c » [BRIGAT1 trrigation in the Columbia River Valley should begin aboul April 1 , and for most crop- on -and \ Boil frequenl applicat ions are necessary during the growing season. Ever] two weeks is perhaps none top often to irrigate orchard-, alfalfa, and clover. When a field i- being led to alfalfa or elover it i- nece — ar\ to keep the -oil moistened at all times until the crop i- well established. Garden crop- ma\ require water everj week or oftener. During the picking season -traw herrie- are u-uall\ watered ever} day. or ever] other da\ at least, After the crop i- removed thej receive only enough water to keep the vine- alive. The irrigation of the orchard in the late fall keeps up the growth of the trees too long and subjects them to the danger of winter- killing. A- a rule no water should be applied after September 15. Growth will then he checked early enough for the wood to harden before W inter. In tin 1 spring of the year when -t raw herrie- are in bloom and liable to injury from frost, the danger tna\ he lessened by running water between the row-. Experience ha- shown that the loss from frost i- much less where the ground i- kept moist by irrigation than it i- iill dry ground, provided the temperature i- hut a few degrees below freezing for a short period only. QUANTITl OF WATEH 1" I -1 With a deep -oil and subsoil, heavy but infrequent irrigation is recommended. But in a region like the Columbia River Valley, with -oil and subsoil generally of low water-holding capacity, fvr- • pient light application- of water must necessarily be the rule. ; i ,r GO 1" 2 10 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IN COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY. Every irrigator should endeavor to learn just how much water is required to (ill his soil. For most of the soils of this region from 2\ to 4 inches will be sufficient for each irrigation if quickly applied. To use more water than the soil will hold is the prevalent tendency and practice. This fact is plainly evidenced by the presence of ponds of water and the need of drainage in some of the irrigated districts along the Columbia River. This seepage water is largely due to excessive irrigation. As the water percolates through the soil it doubtless carries in solution nitrogen and other essential plant food that it will cost time and money to replace. Where pumping plants are used the raising of more water than is required also causes a heavy loss. If overirrigation continues to he practiced, expensive drainage systems will have to he constructed sooner or later to carry the water back to the river. a CHECKING LOSSES OF WATER. Water is mainly lost in two ways, viz. by percolation into the sub- soil and by evaporation from the surface of the ground. Frequent light irrigation materially reduces the loss from percola- tion, but increases the loss by evaporation. Loss from percolation may also be reduced by increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil. This is done by plowing under green manure and cover crops and by heavy applications of stable manure. With a fine firm soil, thorough cultivation as soon as possible after irrigating is the most effective way of checking evaporation. Where the soil is light and sandy, however, clean cultivation keeps it too loose and subjects it to the danger of drifting. Under these conditions mulches of stable manure, straw, and other litter will be found very beneficial in checking evaporation. DISTRIBUTION" OF WATER. The amount of water which most irrigation companies agree to deliver to the farmer is 1 cubic foot per second for each 160 acres of land. During the irrigating season of seven months (April 1 to No- vember 1) this amounts to about 32 inches in depth. Since little irrigation is ordinarily done after October 1, 27 inches would be ap- proximately the amount supplied. Up to the present time, with but a small percentage of the land under the various irrigation systems in cultivation, the companies have quite generally supplied more water than their contracts required them to deliver. But as the acreage of cultivated land increases from year to year and the demand for water "For records of the amount of water used on various Ctopa at Kennewick. Wash., in 1906, see Bulletin 188, Office of Experiment Stations. U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, entitled "Irrigation in the Yakima Valley, Washington." [Cir. 60] SUGGESTIONS lO SETTLERS IN COL1 Ml; I \ R1VEB VALLEY. 11 becomes greater, a stricter adherence to the terms "f the contract will doubtless I"' found necessary. This, in turn, mil necessitate a more economical use of water and some modifications in the present met hods <>f its dist ribution. The contracts of most companies call for a continuous deliven of the \\:iii t. Where Bmall holdings are the rule, thi-* makes it difficult to use either labor or water economically. The Bupprj for a 10-acre tract is ordinarily one-sixteenth of .•» cubic foot per second. This is b very small stream and is sufficient for onlj a \<-r\ few furrows. T<> irrigate a 10-acre tracl with a constant stream i»f this size would require altogether t » >« > much time on the part of the irrigator, In- Btead of delivering a cont inuous ^i ream to each i ract <»f land, arrange- ments should be made for Beveral farmers to receive their water in rotation. Should four farmers make such an arrangement, each would receive his full amount of water and be able to irrigate hi^ land in one-fourth of the time required with a continuous stream. This would give u much more economical and efficient application of the water. CLEARING AND SEEDING NEW LAND. In various localities of the Columbia River Valley considerable damage has been done by attempting to clear and Beed Bandy land during the windy season. When the surface soil is stirred by grub- bing the sagebrush, plowing, and leveling, the soil drifts and blows very easily. The drifting sand may cut of!" all vegetation such a< rye, wheat, clover, and alfalfa. A sand 1>I<>\\ caused in this way is an injur} not only to the owner of the land hut also to his neighbor on whose farm the Band drifts. (See fig. I.) A still further injury is caused by the filling of the irrigation ditches. When this occurs the water must be turned off until the ditches can be cleared. Thus the whole community may Buffer by the mistake of a single person. The new Bel tier w ill do well, therefore, to exercise a great deal of judgment in clearing his land and bringing it into cultivation. Where there i> danger of the soil blowing, the safest time to Beed new land is during late summer or earl] autumn. The sagebrush may he removed at any time during the year provided the surface soil is not stirred. During dune. Jury, and August the land may be graded and the flumes and ditches prepared for irrigating. During the warmest weather <>f summer the surface soil dries oul verv quickly and becomes very hot. Seeding might be done at any time after the windy season is over were it not that the young plants often wither and dry uj> a> they grow up through this hot surface l:iv er of soil. For this reason it is safest to delay the seeding until the warmest weather is over and the surface -oil has cooled a little. When the hot tot weather is over, usually by the last of August, the land to he sown is thoroughly irrigated, idter which any releveliniz [dr. SO] 12 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IN COLUMBIA BIVEB VALLEY. that may be necessary is done immediately. While the soil is still moist from 50 to 60 pounds of rye and about 15 pounds of alfalfa seed per acre should be sown with a grain drill to insure proper covering of the seed. The drill should he provided with a <;rass-seeder attach- ment that runs the grain and alfalfa seed out together. Because of the rapidity with which the surface of this sandy soil dries, the drill should be set to cover the seed about 3 inches deep. At this season of the year the weather, soil, and water are all warm, and the rye and alfalfa start quickly provided the soil is kept moist. In starting alfalfa in the autumn it must be sown early enough to make sufficient growth to withstand the fall and winter frosts. Instead of sowing rye and alfalfa at the same time, the rye maj r be sown first. When this is done the land is first irrigated, regraded if Fig. 1.— Two tracts of land showing theresults of seeding b The young .'-acre orchard on Ihe left was thoroughly irrigated September 15, 1908, and immediately sown to wheat and hairy vetch. The wheat and vetch germinated quickly, made a good growth before winter came on, and kept the soil from blowing. The 5-acre tract to the right of the fence was cleared, leveled, and sown to rye during December, 1908. This was too late in the season, for the rye grew very little during the winter, and completely blew out when the first high wind came about March 1. On April 1 when the photograph shown in this illustration was taken, the sand had drifted to the third row of trees in the orchard on the left. necessary, and sown to rye some two or three weeks before the time to sow the alfalfa. As soon as the rye is 3 or 4 inches high the alfalfa is sown with a grain drill. The irrigation furrows are then laid out and the land irrigated again. There are two principal reasons for sowing the rye first: (1) By the time the lye is 3 or 4 inches high the surface soil will be pretty well filled with roots and will not wash so easily in the irrigating furrows; (2) if the ground is filled with roots and cov- ered with a growth of rye, the surface soil will not drift so easily and the young alfalfa plants will be less liable to be cut oiF by the blowing of the sand. This is very important in seeding steep sandy Land that it is difficult to irrigate. [Cir. 60] SUGGESTIONS I" SETTLERS IN COL1 Mill \ RIVEH VALLEY. 1 .'i When ii is not possible to L r «i alfalfa 01 clove) sown in 1 1 1«- early fall, rye ma) !><• Bown alone during October. If the land i irrigated before the rye is Bown ii should make a good lti ■ »\\ 1 1> before winter. With the land well occupied l>\ rye, alfalfa may be sown in il arly spring j • i — t ;i-> Boon a^ water is available for irrigating Aiter sowing the alfalfa in the rye with a grain drill, the irrigating furrows are marked off and the land irrigated immediately. Where the Boil is heavier and there is little danger "I" blowing, il is best to use oats or wheal for the nurse crop instead of rye, because they make better hay than does rye. lint where the ^>il is liable to drift, rye gives the best satisfaction, because it is hardier and will stand the cutting effect of the drifting sand better than anj other of our cereal crops. Where there is no danger of the soil drifting, greater returns are obtained the first year bj sowing alfalfa alone. Nurse crops are recommended only where it is difficult to start clover or alfalfa without protection. Many prefer clover t<> alfalfa where the crop is t'> occupy the land l>nt a year or two. Where such preferences prevail clovei may be started by precisely the same methods used in seeding alfalfa. When a nurse crop is sown with clover or alfalfa it is usually cut with a mower jus! after the grain has jointed or headed <»nt. Thai which is cut may be used for haj or left on the ground to serve as a mulch, as necessity may demand. The sickle bar of the mower should be set to run high, in order to out off as little as possible of the alfalfa or clover. ALFALFA AND DAIRYING. Since most of the settlers in the irrigated districts along the Columbia River have limited means, they wish to know how the quick- est and safest returns ma\ be secured. We have asked this question of a great many who have had experience in the matter, and the answer is almost invariably '* Alfalfa and dairying." There are several reasons why dairying and the production of alfalfa ha\ should have 1 a prominent place 1 in the agricultural development of the region. Generally speaking, the >oil i^ very deficient in humus (decaying vegetable matter) and nitrogen." Before orcharding and gardening can become highly successful this condition must be corrected. N other way has yet been developed by which this can be 'lone so suc- cessfully as by growing alfalfa and feeding it to good daily cows. When a good stand of alfalfa i^ once established its roots penetrate far into the Subsoil. When the alfalfa is plowed up and the roots decay, humus that is rich in nitrogen is thoroughly distributed in Bulletin 85, Washington Agricultural Experiment Station, entiUed Washing- ton Soils." [Ctr. 80] 14 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IN COLUMBIA RIVES VALLEY. the soil to a much greater depth than can be secured by the applica- tion of barnyard manure. Being a leguminous plant, alfalfa is capable of using atmospheric nitrogen. By growing alfalfa the soil is enriched with nitrogen at less expense than by the application of commercial fertilizers. When the hay is fed to dairy cows, the farmer will be able, with the manure from the stables, to fertilize small areas of land at a time, upon which he can grow almost any crop he may desire. When a good stand of alfalfa is well cared for it is very successful. It can be cut three or four times each year, and the annual yield of hay varies from 5 to 8 tons per acre. When successfully seeded in the fall of the year, from 2 to 5 tons of hay to the acre may be expected the following season. The productiveness of the soil will be built up more rapidly if the hay is fed to good dairy cows than if it is sold, for from 75 to 90 per cent of the fertilizing substance of the hay will be contained in the manure. While cows will not give the maximum amount of milk when fed alfalfa hay exclusively, this is usually a more profitable practice than to pay $25 to $30 a ton for grain and mill feed with which to balance the ration. The cows should be fed in stables and lots during the entire year, for the land is too valu- able to be used for pasture. No cow should be kept that will not pro- duce 600 gallons of milk yearly. Unless a farmer has plenty of manure with which to enrich the soil, all of his land should be sown to alfalfa or clover just as soon as it is ready for seeding. No attempt should be made to grow other crops until the land has successfully grown alfalfa, clover, or some other humus-producing crop for one or more years or until stable manure can be obtained. When available, manure should be applied liberally and well incorporated into the soil. A light application on the surface of the ground is of little benefit except to keep the soil from drifting. Irrigation should be frequent enough to keep the soil moist, so that the manure will decay. THE COMMERCIAL ORCHARD. To plant and care for an orchard until it is bearing profitably requires several years and much labor and money. For this reason, deciding the kind of fruit to be grown (whether apples, pears, peaches, apricots, or cherries) becomes a very important matter. Having decided the kind of fruit to be planted, the selection of varieties is likewise very important. This should be done with a great deal of care and study. The man with limited means can not afford to experiment with new varieties, however superior they may be repre- sented to be. Instead, he should plant the standard commercial varieties that have given the best satisfaction in the Columbia River Valley. Opinions have differed widely regarding this matter in the [Cir. 60] 8UOGE8TIONS rO BETTLEB8 in COL1 UBIA BIVEfl VALLEY. 1 ."> past, iinil the question is nol fullj settled at the present time Foi this reason ii is difficult to saj just what should be planted, and the following recommendations are onlj made in the IiltIii of the best obtainable informal ion There are many orchards in the vicinity of rlennewick, Wash . that are 6 or 7 years old and a fe\t that are 12 or 14 years old. This is the oldest and most highly developed district in the sand} soils along the Columbia River Considering the experience of this district, ii would appear that winter apple- and pears are the most promising tree fruits to plant. While peaches, apricot-, and cherries can be pro- duced, they do not bear lull crops regularh on account of the dam i done by the earlj spring frosts. Although apple- and pears are sometimes injured, thej are much hardier than peaches, apricot-, and cherries, and they bear more regularrj . It i- probable that the tender fruits ma\ be profitably grown by using smudges and orchard-heater pots to counteract the effect of frosts. Since most of the tree fruits blossom during the latter part of March and the month of April, a study ol Table I. page 5, which gives the date- and temperatures of 32° or lower for April for the last five years, will -how the impor- tance of making provision for the use of frost preventivi Of the winter apple-, the Wine-ap ha- proved itself especially adapted to the irrigated district- with low altitude- It requires a long season in which to mature, come- into bearing earl} . i- prolific, and ship- and sells well. Some of the other varieties that are being planted are Koine Beauty, Jonathan, and Esopus (synonyms, Esopus Spitzenburg and Spitzenburj Of the pear-, the Bartlett i- the standard commercial variety. Some are planting the Cornice and the Anjou. If peaches, apricot-, and cherries are planted, the\ should be placed on the highest ground, where the air drainage is best. The varieties that are usually recommended for the irrigated valleys are as follow-: Peaches. — Elberta, Salway, Early Crawford, Late Crawford. Poster, Hale, and Alexander. The Elberta i- the standard commercial peach and should form the principal part of the orchard. The Salway i- an excellent peach, hut i- a little too late. Apricots. I lenii-kirk and Moorpark. Cherries. (Sweet varieties Napoleon (synonym, Royal Ann . Bing, and Lambert; (sour varieties) Olivet and Richmond. POULTRY. Poultry can be made a profitable adjunct to fruit raising, especially Orcharding, and should he given a place on practically every farm in the Columbia River Valley. Spokane. Portland. Tacoma, and Seattle " For a discussion of the use ol heater pota in ( olondo orchards, Bee the I >e« ember, 1909, and January, 1910, cumbers ol [letter Fruit. U'ir. 60] 16 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLEBS IN COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY. furnish large, stable markets near home, and the demand increases faster than the supply. Prices are constantly rising year after year, while the importations of eggs and poultry from other States are increasing. Unless one has had some experience in handling poultry, however, the business should be developed gradually, for failure is too frequently the reward of those who plunge into the business without experience and knowledge of the subject. Some very helpful publi- cations on this industry will be found listed at the end of this bulletin. SMALL FRUITS AND GRAPES. SMALL FRUITS. If the suggestions previously made in regard to improving the soil are followed, small fruits, grapes, asparagus, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and many other crops can be raised. The following varieties of small fruits are suggested: Strawberries. — Clark Seedling (synonym, Hood River) for long shipments; Magoon, Marshall, and Warfield for local use and short shipments. Dewberries. — Lucretia. Gooseberries. — Industry, Smith (synonym. Smith's Improved), and Oregon (synonym, Oregon Champion). Raspberries. — Cuthbert and Red Antwerp. When well cared for, strawberries should be very profitable. They mature very early and the first crates sometimes sell for $10 or more each, though of course the greater part of the crop sells for very much lower prices. The first blooms are often injured by spring frosts. Owing to the very high price commanded by the first ripe fruit, some way should be devised for saving the first blossoms. One way of doing this is to use cotton cloth for covering frames. While the vines may be covered in many ways, the following method is sug- gested: On either side of beds 10 or 12 feet wide set wide boards on their edges. The cloth, ordinary unbleached double-width sheeting, is nailed to the upper edge of one of the boards. The other edge of the cloth is nailed between 1 by 2 inch strips. This forms a roller, upon which the cloth is rolled when the beds are opened. The cloth is just wide enough to permit the roller to hang on the outside of the board on the opposite side when the cloth is unrolled and spread across the bed. The sections of the cloth should overlap and the ends of the cold frames should be well closed up. If the cloth is oiled, it will be more effective. GRAPES. The following varieties of grapes are recommended for this district : American varieties. — Moore (synonym, Moore's Early), Campbell (synonym, Campbell's Early), Delaware, Concord, and WordeiL [Cir. 00 J SUGGESTIONS FO SETTLERS in COL1 MBIA RIVES VALLEY. IT European varieties. Alexandria aj lym, Muscat of Uexandria), Malaga, Flame Tokay, and Black Hambi The European varieties of grapes must be planted with tl icpec- tation of letting the vines down and covering them well everj fall. Unless this is done the} will qo! succeed, for the winters are usuafiy 9S\ ere enough to Kill the vines to the ground. TRUCK CHOPS. \-r \i: \<.i - 'l'lic eaiTj season of the irrigated districts along the Columbia River makes asparagus a verj profitable crop to those who will I tain I lr ii properly . A \ en successful asparagus grower in the \ icinitj of Kciuirw itk, Wash., starts n <>n sandj soil as follows: Furrows arc laid off in the early spring aboul i"> to 20 inches apart. After scat- tering partly decayed stable manure in the furrows, water is turned on i" soak thoroughly the soil and the manure. Nitrate of soda is then applied and the Boil cultivated while yet moist. Seed that has been soaked in warm water for 24 hours is planted in drills laid out over the furrows in which the ma mi re and nitrate of soda were applied. The seed is bowu in the drill aboul I J to 2 inches apart, and when the plant-- are started well they are thinned to 3 to I inches apart. After sowing the seed the land is irrigated frequently and cultivated while the soil is damp. Cultivating while the soil is moist keep-, it from drifting so easily into the irrigating furrow. When the plants are l year old the\ are transplanted in rows l or 5 feel apart. FurroM s s inches deep arc laid off, into which manure i- scattered and soaked as when planting the seed. The yearling plants are set L8 inches apart in the rows. The crowns are set 6 to 8 inches belovi the surface of the ground, frrigation is frequent and manure is liberally used. One year from the date of transplanting, some begin to cut the shoots for market. It is generally conceded that this should be a light cutting in order to develop the most profit- able bed. By purchasing yearling plants for transplanting, one year ma\ be saved. !'< >l A i oi s. Potatoes, especially the early varieties, should do well on soil that has been enriched either with manure or l>\ groM ing clover or alfalfa for one or more years. The early varieties may be marketed the last of .lime or the Brsl of duly. This leaves plenty of time to raise such crop-, as heet-*. turnips, rutabagas, and cauliflower. In this way two crops may be grown on the same land during the year, [f desirable, a green manure crop, either clover or hairy vetch, ma\ be grown and plowed under after digging the potato* [Cti 18 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IN COLUMBIA BIVEB VALLEY. MELONS. Watermelons do fairly well on the virgin soil, but cantaloupes are not a success until the soil has been improved with stable manure or green manure, or by growing clover or alfalfa. They are not profitable, however, unless the grower has a market near at hand. It is the early melons, the first to reach the market, that bring the highest prices. Of the many varieties of watermelons, the Monte Cristo seems to give the best results. The Rockyford cantaloupe is a favorite among the melon growers. ONIONS. If onions are grown on sandy soil they must be well protected from the wind to prevent injury from the drifting soil. On such land large yields must not be expected until the soil has been im- proved. Onions may be sold either in the cured or in the green state. Main crop. — The main, or summer, crop of onions is cured and sold in the dry stale. The long dry season insures the thorough curing of the bulbs. One of the secrets of onion culture on sandy land is to keep the soil moist from the time the seed is sown until the plants are well established. The Yellow Danvers variety is recommended for the main crop. Early sj>rin family be carefulrj removed from the Boil, little nodules will usually be found upon th roots. These nodules varj in size with difTerenl legumes and 1 1 1 .- 1 \ be found alone or in clusters. Thej are caused bj certain bacteria of the soil i Iimi become parasil ic in i he roots. I>\ the aid "|* these bacteria living in the nodules, leguminous plants are enabled to assimilate the atmospheric nitrogen. Since nitrogen constitutes approximately four-fifths of the atmosphere, this family of plants has an inexhaustible supply of this important plant-food element. If the nodule-forming bacteria are not present in the soil, the nodules will nol form <>n the roots, and the plants can then use only the nitrogen of the soil. The failure of leguminous crops is sometimes due to the lack of these bacteria. Module-forming bacteria ma} be supplied in two ways, namely, by the use of pure cultures of the bacteria and l>\ transferring soil from a Held where the crop to be used has been grown successful!} with nodules on the roots. From 200 to 300 pounds of the ^>il transferred are scattered over each acre of the field to be inoculated and imme- diatelj mixed with tli.it of the new field bj plowing, disking, or har- rowing. If left exposed to the sun the bacteria are soon destroyed." It has been previously pointed out thai the soils along the Columbia River are very deficient in humus and nitrogen. It is very evident, therefore, th.it the farmers and orchardists of this region should use every possible opportunity to grow humus-forming crops. Because of their ability to use the nitrogen of the atmosphere, leguminous crops should be used when possible. The ground should nol be allowed to lie idle, hut as much of the time as possible it should be kept growing some crop thai will improve the soil. ( ri ►ps ro usi The following green-manure and cover crops are recommended: For permanenl crops in the orchard use i>'<\ clover or alfalfa. Where it is nol necessarj to L r i\e the orchard clean cultivation in order to conserve moisture, perhaps no better practice can be followed than to grow red clover or alfalfa between the trees. While orchard cover crops are often used for ha\ the land will be improved much more rapidlx if the growth is clipped five or sis times during I von and lefl on th< ground to serve as a mulch. Where it is desirable ling the u i pure cultures of the b Bulletin :'>!>. entitled culation," which will be Benl tr charge upon application to thi : iculture, Washington, D > h'ii 20 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IN COLUMBIA RIVEB VALLEY. to plow the crop under occasionally, clover is a much more satisfac- tory crop than alfalfa, because the latter is so difficult to plow and get rid of and the roots rot so slowly. (2) For early fall seeding use red clover, hairy vetch, rye, or wheat. K\e or wheat are frequently sown with the clover or vetch. (3) For late fall seeding, use rye, wheat, or hairy vetch. (4) For spring or early summer seeding, use red clover, hairy vetch, peas, spring vetch, rye. wheat, oats, or barley. It is frequently possible to grow green-manure or cover crops during the summer after marketing early truck crops or after plowing up an old strawberry bed. On these sterile sandy soils hairy vetch some- times fails to make a satisfactory growth the first time that it is sown, because of the lack of uodule-forming bacteria. Even when this is the case thrifty plants with nodules on the roots can usually be found scattered here and there over the field. By plowing the land and sowing vetch again on the same land, the second crop should he a success. When the soil is once supplied with the proper bacteria there will be few better green-manure and cover crops than hairy vetch. When sown for the first time, either the seed or the soil should be inoculated. The purpose of these crops is quite fully discussed in bulletins listed at the close of this circular, and for that reason further con- sideration is not here necessary. WIND-BREAKS. While objections are often made to the use of wind-breaks they are very advantageous wherever orchards, vineyards, small fruits, or truck crops are exposed to strong winds. Especially is this true where the soil is sandy and subject to drifting. iSince the prevailing winds are from the west and southwest, the principal wind-breaks should extend north and south or approximately at right angles to the direction of the wind. Some of the more important points to be remembered in the selec- tion of trees for wind-breaks are the following: Effectiveness in checking the velocity of the wind, value as timber, longevity, diffi- culty in starting, inclination to harbor orchard pests, habits of encroachment upon the areas protected, etc. Few trees meet all of these requirements. When a single variety is planted few trees are as effective as the poplars, especially the Lombardy poplar. They develop rapidly, branch from the ground up, and make a very efficient wind-break when planted close together. A very effective wind- break can be made by planting the black locust and the Russian artemisia together in the same row. The locusts should be set about S feet apart in the row. The timber of the locust makes valuable fence posts. [fir. 60] SUUUESTIONjj I" m I i M i;.- I .\ COI.l Ml - . I \ KIVEK VALLEY, 21 The artemisia is a shrubbj plan! thai is started from 7 inch cutti Bel 12 to l •"> inches apart. It ahoultl attain a lieighl <>f i or 5 feel the firs! year and 8 or 9 feel the second year, Low wind-breaks can I" - made l>\ planting the artemisia alone A good hedge of this planl is growing <>n the experimenl farm <>l the State College al Pullman, Wash., from which cuttings ma\ be obtained 01 4itfk>- >#ini — — rfia.M— Fi>. .' Up u igtu '"' i- on nnd; soil i When the land w;v cletted low posts were Kl . upon the tops of whii t bed. id of burning the sagebrush, 11 « is bang on the i Tin* European larch instead of the black locusl may be used with the artemisia. It will not spread and encroach upon the protected area as much as the locusl <>r t lie poplars [ts timber also makes good fence posts. Figure 2 illustrates how temporary wind-breaks may be made from sagebrush. [fir. 22 SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IX COLUMBIA I'JVi.i; VALLEY. BULLETINS OF VALUE TO FARMERS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY. The bulletins in the following list arc of value to settlers in the Columbia River Valley: farmers' bi lletins, r. s. department of agriculture. ° No. 51. Standard Varieties of Chickens. 55. The Dairy Herd; lis Formation and Management. 61. Asparagus Culture. 63. Care of Milk on the Farm. 113. The Apple and How to Grow It. 127. Important Insecticides: Directions for Preparation and Use. 138. Irrigation in Field and Garden. lot. The Home Fruit Garden: Preparation and Care. 156. The Homo Vineyard. 157. The Propagation of Plants. 158. How to Build Small Irrigation Ditches. L81. Pruning. 198. Strawberries. 213. Raspberries. 220. Tomatoes. 231. Spraying tor Cucumber and Melon Diseases. 241. Butter Making on the Farm. 242. An Example of Model Farming. 254. Cucumbers. 255. The Home Vegetable Garden. 263. Practical Information for Beginners in Irrigation. 278. Leguminous Crops for Green Manuring. 287. Poultry Management. 315. Progress in Legume Inoculation. 339. Alfalfa. 354. Onion Culture. 355. A Successful Poultry and Dairy Farm. 357. Methods of Poultry Management at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. 373. Irrigation of Alfalfa. 375. Care of Food in the Home. 386. Potato Culture on Irrigated Farms of the West . 399. Irrigation of Grain. 104. Irrigation of Orchards. BULLETINS OF THE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. No. L08. Irrigation Practices Among Fruil Growers on the Pacific Coast. Price 15 cents. 177. Evaporation Losses in Irrigation and Water Requirements of Crops. Price. 15 cents. " All persons interested in farming should obtain Circulars 2 and 4 of the Division of Publications, (J. S. Department of Agriculture, which contain lists of the publica- tions of the Department of Agriculture for free distribution. These circulars will he forwarded free of cost upon application to the Secretary of Agriculture. Washington, D. C. [Clr. 60] SUGGESTIONS I" >i Mill:- i \ COL1 Miu \ RIVER VALLEY. 28 No. l s l Mechanic il Ti I Pumpi Plan I P 188 Irrigation in the Yakima Voile) Price 15 ci I listribution ol U ater in tt i Prii • 10 209 Irrigation in < >n on P 21 I Irrigation in \\ aahington I'm • 10 BULLETINS OF THE OREGON kGRICULTURA] EXPERIMENT STATION. Dl PARTM1 N LEO! EXTENSION No, I. Feeding loi l OBNERA1 in I i I m , '). Insecticides and Fungicidee 104. Pollination ol the Apple. 106. < uliuii' of Small Fi Spra) ing for Peach Frail 8p BULLETINS Ol Mil u ISHING i< >\ kGRICULTURA] I \ n i; i \i i \ i BTATIOH QBNBRAl BULLETINS Some Important Plant Diseases in Washington. B Raspberries and Blackberries POFl LAB BULLETINS No. 3. Pruning Frail Trees. B < Orchard < !over < Irope. 11. Commercia] Potato Growing. 12. < are of Milk on the Farm. 13. Spraying Calendar for L909. 1 1. Planting an Apple < trchard. 17. The Single Spray for the Codling Moth. 18. Growing Raspberries and Blackberries in Washington. 23. Trees for Washington. 24. The Pruning of Apple Trees The Farmers 1 Bulletin-- may be secured without cosl upon appli- cation to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. ('.: the bulle- tins of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station by applying to the director of the station, at Corvallis, Oreg.; the bulletins of the Washington Agricultural Experiment Station by applying to the director of the station, at Pullman. Wash.; and tin- bulletins of the Office of Experiment Stations by sending the price of each bulletin to the Superintendent of Document-, Government Printing Office, A\ ashington, D. ('. Stamps and personal checks will not be accepted. Approved : .1 imes Wn SON, St fi tan/. Washington, D. ( '.. March SI, 1910. [dr. 60] o UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 3 1262 08928 9788