The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-07-15
Saturday, July 10, 1875
THE LOWER SOUND,


The rapid advance of the counties
bordering the lower Sound in wealth
and population within the past few
years is most gratifying to .contem-
plate. The county of Snohomish
was organized in 1860, but for nearly
10 years afterward, the settlements
on the east side of the Sound below
Seattle, were mainly confined to the
mining hamlets Of Sehome and
Whatcom, on Bellingham Bay, and
4 few trading posts and scattered
farms, chiefly on the Snohomish.
According to Morss's history Of Sno-
homish county, the total valuation
Of property in Snohomish county for
1862, was 1000, divided among
~ owners. In 1870 it was sl38, 900.
The statistics for 1874 give in Sno.
homish county, valuation of property
$3.50, 800, and population of about
1000; Whatcom, valuation Of pro-
perty SAG, 352, population estimated
at 1900. Besides, there has recent
ly been organized new county call
ed San Juan, embracing the islands
of San Juan, Tor Bellevue,) Orcas,
Lopez, and the rest Of the DeHaro
Archipelago, formerly included in
Whatcom county.
The earliest facts in regard to the
capabilities Of this section we have
been able to obtain were given in the
message of Governor Pickering for
1866, in which he sums up tho
amount of rich lands in these nor
thcrn valleys as follows: Snoqual-
mic, 80 square miles, Skykomish,
so; Snohomish, 90; Stillagwamish,
IS; Skaget, $50; Samish, 100; Lum-
mi, 80; and Nootsac, $50 These
figures, of course, are only approx
mate, but probably not too large,
aud are intended to represent only
the river bottom lands. Besides, it
is said that the fir uplands in this
part Of the Territory, are generally
of an excellent quality of soil, ex-
csedingly productive alike of grain,
grass, fruit aud vegetables, and that
large districts Of this land, especially
in the neighborhood of Semiahoom
and the Nootsac valley, has been
partially cleared by forest fires, ren-
defiss It comparatively easy to put
under cultivation
The most important agricultural
section in the whole district is the
dyked lands Of the Swinomish Flats.
In 1874, the amount dyked was
l,l00 acres and the export Of grain
to San Francisco, f,000 tons. This
year there are 2,400 acres in cultiva-
ton on l3 of the leading farms, and
il is estimated that about 1900 acres
more will be dyked during the pres
ent year. The average yield of oats
and barley is 90 bushel per acre, and
wheat varies from so To 90. Last
year the Calhoun brothers raised SO
acres of barley which averaged So
bushels per acre. 1t is said that
when the land is put in the proper
shape foS grain, wheat will make 80
to 50 bushels per acre, and barley
and oats loo. The crop ON the Flats
this year is valued at 100000. The
'arsest farms are those of Calhoun
brothers, 500 acres in cultivation, j.
s. Conner, 400, and f. +. Dodge,
500.
The total grain crop Of Whatcom
county for this year is estimated at
10000 bushels, against 10000 in
1870. An intelligent farmer Of that
district is responsible for the state
ment that within few years What
com county viii have sc. 700 acres in
cultivation, and will furnish an ex.
por. surplus of 100000 bushels
If grain