, 1859-08-19

common to the New England and Western
States can be grown here in the greatest
abundance, Indian corn excepted - the
nights being too cool for its successful cul-
tivation as a field crop for fatteuing hogs,
&c, or as a grain for expectation. We
will add, however, that but limited expert
ments have been made in the cultivation
Of this valuable grain in this Territory,
and it is believed that if the early north
ern varieties were sought and care taken
in the cultivation, half or twO-thirds as
much to the acre might be raised here as
is grown in the States of New York and
Ohio. The yield of wheat, rye, &c, is
about the same here as in the prairie
States Of the West, with the important ad-
vantage, that the pure and dry atmosphere
of our harvest months renders grain sure
crop, rust being seldom if ever known.
I'd. A great portion of the soil is well
adapted to the raising of grain, fruits and
vegetables. The face of the country is
badly speckled with forests of the most
magnificent timber in the world, immense
prairies rich valleys and lofty mountains.
Sd. The mean temperature of our sum
mer months is about 65o-extreme S6o
OF the winter mouths the mean is about
42o-extreme, zero. This applies to that
portion Of the Territory west Of the Cas-
cadc Mountains, to which the settlements
are at present principally confined, and in
which region of country the winter climate
is about the same as at Richmond, Vir-
ginia.
4th Puget Sound, for fine harbors and
safe anchorages, is not surpassed by any
body of water in the in world. The ell
trance from ocean to the Sound, being
through the Straits of Fuca, which are 05
miles long, with an average width of IL
miles, and depth of water varying from
10 falhoms to no bottom, it is believed
that the generality of vessels eau at all
times navigate them in safety.
9th. Lands vary in price, selling from
81 25 to 500 per acre, within the distance
named Unimprovel town lots in 0lym-
pia are held and sell from $50 to 81 900,
Of so by I2O feet. Mechanics wages, 81
to So per day laborers, 81 so to So and
females could get, if they were here, $40
to $25 per mouth.
9Th No mines of coal have been worked
to any extent, except those of Bellingham
Bay. The quality Of the coal there is ex-
cellent, and the veins extensive. 1t has
been estimated that $4,000 tons to the
acre can be raised from these mines.
7th. Red, white and yellow fir, pine,
hemlock, cedar, spruce, oak, yew, alder,
cottonwood, &C., &c. Lumber, rough and
dressed, sells from $40 to $50 per M !;
shingles, So IS to S. per NJ.
Sth. The Fraser river excitement of
1858 produced very great change in the
business of the Puget Sound country
Produce of all kinds advanced a hundred
per cent, Notwithstanding the large ship
ments made from California. With the
close Of the last year the excitement sub
sided, and at present, matters in that quar-
ter have assumed a more settled character.
Should the diggings on the Fraser prove
as rich as was at first anticipated, the
benefit to our Territory will be incalcula-
BILE. The country north of the boundary
line being entirely uninhabited, except by
Indian tribes, the miners must draw upon
Washington for large share of the sup
plies.
We notice in late number of the Iade-
pendent, "a paper published in Springfield
Illinois, a letter written by DR.. A. G. Hen
ry, of Oregon, to S. Francis, former editor
Of the Illinois Journal In Publishing the
letter, the editor says: "To the public
generally, but especially to those who are
looking towards the Pacific as their future
home, it will be read with interest and
profit" To our readers, who are familiar
from personal observation with the induce
ments our Territory holds out to emigrants,
and who are acquainted with its geogra-
phy, would not be sufficiently interested in
the perusal Of the letter TO justify its pub-
lication entire. The following extracts
will no doubt be read will interest.
In speaking of the Chehalis Valley, in
our Territory, he says:
! There is room enough in this valley for a thou
sand trst-cass half section farms. The Improvements
could be located the upands back Of the bottoms
which general rule about half mile in width
either side of the river The bottoms are not over
4 flowed, except in extreme high water, which always
occurs in the winter months, and never interfering
with the cropping season, as il the the Co
lnmba, which like the Missouri, has its highest floods
0 f Inn al T.f