DISPOSITION OF CROPS.

The hay crops are in large part sold on the ground and fed to cattle and sheep which have summered in the mountain ranges and are carried through the winters on the farms in the valleys.  What is left after supplying this demand is baled and shipped by rail to the markets on Puget sound, Portland or Spokane.  The Sound country is also the chief purchaser of the fruits, although many winter apples, on account of their superior quality, are shipped to eastern markets.

[Page 44] Potatoes and other vegetables usually go west, although an occasional season finds the eastern market depleted, and then the shipments go to the best market.

Hops are sold to be delivered at railroad stations and go east, many even to Europe.

VALUE OF LANDS.

The irrigated lands are yearly appreciating in value, mindless of the large acreage annually added to the supply.  This is largely due to the fact that they are bought up and held for speculative purposes.  However, there are still many farms in the hands of first purchasers from the government, and others still to be had directly from the government and others from the Northern Pacific company, not yet under ditches, which may ultimately be reclaimed.  These latter can be had from $7.00 to $25.00 per acre.  The lands already under ditch, or which will soon be irrigated certainly, are held from $50 to $100 raw and from $125 to $200 with water rights paid for.  Much land is on the market, already planted or to be planted to orchards, and cared for, for a term of years until the orchards are in bearing, which can be purchased on easy terms, ranging in price from $200 to $500 per acre.

TRANSPORTATION.

Nearness to transportation is a valuable factor in determining the price of lands—­whether under irrigation or otherwise.  The lands being irrigated in eastern Washington are, for the most part, adjacent to competing railways and water craft on both the Columbia and Snake rivers.  Projects are in contemplation by the government and state to remove all obstructions from the Columbia river and give a great navigable stream from Kettle Falls to the mouth of the river.  This will add to the shipping facilities by increasing the number of boats which will ply the river and be of great help to all farmers holding lands adjacent.  Numerous trolley lines are already running in many directions—­and more are projected—­among the irrigated farms connecting with the cities of Spokane, North Yakima, [Page 45] and Walla Walla.  These add greatly to the facility and cheapness of transportation.

CLIMATE.