, 1876-01-22
Pr0Rm n Contributor.
SsoHoMIsH Co. WASH. TER.

SsoHoMlsa Co. WASH. TER.
l frequently receive letters saking infcr.
nation about this country. Thinking it
would be good idea to write u description
oft for our county paper, will now attempt
to do so.
Those who have heard about II, bave
thought II to be heavily timber, d country.
In this respect, they have not been misin'
formed. It Is heavily tim 'ercd country
In this county there is no prairie Not,h
naming. The settlements have been ma lie
along the banks Of beautiful stream emit
ing into Puget sound. The land aloug IuIs
stream 10 splendid for farming All grains
grow we'll except corn. We think il the
Canada corn such ss is raised in New Eng
land, vas planted h.rc it would yield abGn
dantly. L do not believe that vcgctab cs
can be beat any where. Neither do l believe
vegetable crop ever fails. Everything
seems to grow that is put in the ground.
Some do not even pillow or dig the ground,
hut, after the land ia cleared. just cover the
seed ana il will geaerally bring good crop.
[This 10 often done by new settlers who arrive
late in the season, anil have not time to spade
up their gardens after clearing the ground.
Ed
There 10 an abundance. Of wild berries,
which one can have by gathering, and can.
ming or drying: also make their own wine.
Several Of our ncighbors have done so already;
some making as high as nine barrels, and an
other four or Ave the. last year. And what
wine Is healthier, or tastes better, than home.
made blackberry or raspberry wine.
All streams and lakes abound with trout
and salmon. The latter have been caught
weighing as high as 2s Ids. Ed.
This is surely the country for the poor
nun. NatWc does 20 much herself that any
one who viH p0rk can s,Ion be independent.
And il is such beautiful climate, free from
the cold raw winds Of the western states;
scarcely ever too cold in winter or too warm
in summer; also, 80 healthy it is pleasure to
hvs here To be sure. there is sone hard
work to be doue, " those who do not have
capital to hire work done for them, or to go
into other business. But it does nut take
very long to get started for those who are
willing to work; for such can always get
plenty to do at good wages. There 10 plen-
sy Of land to be taken up. Settlers may
have to 60 back from the river little, up
some Of the smaller streams which empty in
to il. But the land is just as good and in
time will be Just as valuable. 1t 10 harder
opening up such farm, % there arc no roads.
Az the settlers move up they make them, for
they have 20 have them. Therefore it 10 not
much harder for the new conner than for the
first settler Then che land must all be clear
ed for il 10 covered with heavy timber. The
growth is Fir. Cedar, Hemlock and Maple ;
but this 10 all valuable and can be logged
of, q ,ated down stream TO the main river,
pu. in booms and aoatcd down to the Sound
where many nills are located At different
points. ...
The travelling 40 yet 10 almost all done by
water. But the country is settling up fast
every year, with actual settlers, and they are
having roads laid out and worked. some
are gettiag horse and mule teams only with
In the last year or two however.
There are other kinda of business that
could be carried or to better advantage for
making money than farming: but nothing
which brings 8 more independent living.
There 10 logging, which has been the main
business fer ten or twelve years aad 10 still
carried on With great success.
A few yearS ago, the N. P. Railroad being
talked about, the attention OF great many
people was attracted to this country, and by
enquiry, heard il was q good place, and,
although . bard one to get 10, there were
pioneers ready to 60 a. there always 10 to
every new place.
Imiyht mention other kinds OF business,
such As getting out ship Enees-tha' pays.
Making shingles, also getting out spruce hoIts
and shipping them 10 san Francisco. pa''