Article ID: CBB001421793

“Where Dollars Grow on Trees”: The Promise and Reality of Irrigated Farming in Central Washington, 1890--1910 (2014)

unapi

Washington's orchard output grew dramatically after the arrival of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in 1885 and 1893, respectively. The railroads and local real estate boosters promoted central Washington's desert as an orchard paradise, "where dollars grow on trees," but the reality was far different. While prospective growers had been told that lush orchards were a simple product of nature, irrigated farming required a large input of capital, a high degree of horticultural expertise, and lots of hard work. The conflict between nature and the manmade landscape was evident in the efforts of growers. Instead of being a place of easy wealth, novice orchardists were often frustrated by their new landscape and the pressure to conform to industrialized methods. Although the Washington apple industry was ultimately successful, many growers struggled and failed due to lack of capital and expertise.

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Authors & Contributors
Anja Timmermann
DeLuca, Sara
Nicola Gabellieri
Romero, Adam
White, Chantel E.
Schaub, R. Thomas
Journals
Agricultural History
Geostorie, Bolletino e Notiziario del Centro Italiano per gli Studi Storico-Geografici
Research in the History of Technology
Journal of Global History
Journal of British Studies
Economic History Review
Publishers
Yale University Press
University of Georgia Press
University of California Press
Minnesota Historical Society Press
McGill-Queen's University Press
Louisiana State University Press
Concepts
Farmers
Agriculture
Farms
Economic botany; plant cultivation; horticulture
Labor and laborers
Industrial agriculture
Time Periods
19th century
20th century, early
20th century
Early modern
18th century
Modern
Places
United States
England
Middle and Near East
Arkansas (U.S.)
South Carolina (U.S.)
Midwestern states (U.S.)
Institutions
Bureau of Plant Industry (United States)
United States. Office of Indian Affairs
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