Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-09-23
OlYTPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, SEPT. %, 1871
1.-THE Future of Our Country"

-
"The Future Of Our Country"
Our attention has been directed by
farmer in this vicinity to an article in the
Vancouver Register of the 2Gih ult., bear
ing the above caption, in which after ex-
alting Clarke county as " the garden-spot
Of the Territory. whose destiny is fixed by
immutable laws that know no change"
Che following language occurs:
stAfter mature reflections we make the
broad assertion that, strictly speaking, when
We except the valleys in Lewis county, and
few hundred acres here and there along the
river bottoms in Thurston and Pierce, there is
no farming land on Puget Sound. If there are
any natural divisions in this Territory, they
are these, viz Grazing-WallaW alla, Stevens,
Klikitat and Yakima. Agrculture-Clarke
and Cowlitz. Commerce, the Sound coun-
ties"
II the mature reflection of our cotcmpo-
rary resulted in the conclusion that "therc
is no farming land on Puget Sound" with
the exception of "the river.bottoms of
Thurston and Pierce countless" its knowl
edge Of the country is certainly very lin.
tied. 1t is difficult to determine, however
whether the Registers structures should be
attributed to ignorance or wanton dispo-
sition to disparage one portion of the couu-
try for the benefit of another, in the pros
perity Of which it may have more immc-
date interest If the latter motive
prompted the writer, We protest against
the policy as unjust aud suicidal, for
united effort that tends to improve one
seton Of the country, advances all others
in like ratio. 1t is detrimental to the ill.,
terests of the Territory-Clarke county
iucluded-for newspaper of general cir
culation to pin its faith to the single
county in which it is published, and insti-
tute comparison prejudical to all else out.
side the magic confines of the favored
section. This is especially the case where
there is really SO little difference to note.
While admitting that Clarke county has
much excellent farming land, We maintain
that many counties east of the mountains
and on he.Sound have large tracts equally
as good. Agriculture is not the chief de-
pendence here, and this induces some even
OF our own population to under.rate the
capacity Of the soil. The Register, to sub.
stantiate the title of Clarke to its extrava
CANT eulogies, inquiries with seeming sin.
cerity-
Where else on this coast can the farmer
count with such certainty on gathering ar
abundant recompense for his labor as bs
can here? Where else is he SO exempt from
the vicissitudes of climate Where else car
he reach good markets with ssch ease ant
cslerity ?"- ars
I'VE might with propriety designate many
plains aud valleys on the coast Astounding
in good soil, suited to the varied produc
Lions peculiar to each section, but as Pu
81 Sound is principally arraigucd, we cite
: fev facts which probably did not eute,
isto the Registers estimate. LIST, We ar,
not subject to the annually recurring dan.
ger Of an overflow of our lands during thu
Summer months, to the destruction o,
sseps and other property, and consequently
sfailare Of crops is not known on Puge
Sound. Oar fruit crops are likewise sure
and We challenge Clarke county and tn,
world to excel us in yield, growth or quail
tyof our apples, pears, plums, cherries
nectarines, and all varieties of berries
Il Vas only few months ago that the
Rssistsy estimated the damage to the
crops on the Columbia river by the June
freshet 1t about 100000. This should
throw some light on the answer to the frs,
query. ID, We have q more healthful
eqaable climate, and We are not subject t.
~ prevailing illness Of Summer aud Au.
tumn 10 the river counties-fever, ague
and the diseases resulting from the malaria
oseaaioned BY stagnant pools of water
We are happily exempt from these vicis
sitadss Of climate" Sd, We have the best
Hsrkat on the coast for everything the
pssdseG sises, At higher prices, in conse.
qsssSs q our large nou.producing popu.
l. ~ sssrgsd IN the lumber trade and
~ FRS @sst ss% NJ ts ~ e