The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-02-20
County and City Official Press.
Tuesday, February 20, 1877.
A CHANGE OF STAPLES.

In the earliest stages Of our Puget
Sound agriculture, potatoes we're found
20 BE- the most profitable crop that
could be raised, because with but little
outlay Of capital and only the rudest
prepsrstion. they gave the largest pecu-
mary return from the least amount of
titled soil. But the generous tnber has
at length resented the sort OF imposi-
ton practiced upon it and refuses TO
yield as il formerly did without some
thing like the same extra pains and ex-
pensive preliminary provisions that are
requisite to the successful culture Of
other specislties.
! The easy luxuriance Of this crop has
naturally had demoralizing tendency
upon our farmers who have relied upon
It. by inducing slackness and careless
ness Of methods. in which regard it has
gone back on them. The soil con-
ttantly cropped with the same product
becomes exhausted for that particular
staple, the quality has deteriorated, the
yield diminished, and the stock become
diseased from want of care and ILL.,
usage. Their resuscitation must be re-
mandcd TO specialists and experiment
ers. while the farmers generally will
Ind il profitable to turn their attention
10 other things. until at least this valu-
able staple. and the soil as we'll, be-
comes rejuvenated by a partial rest and
Improved methods in culture.
A correspondent Of the North Pacific
Rsral-s practical grower.-says that it
Is necessary always to select the best
Tor seed instead Of the refuse. to plant
early in the spring. instead of in tire
Summer. as has been often done-dig
early in the fall. during dry weather,
and keep dry and cool during the win
Ter, in u cellar or root house. instead Of
sarth-coversd heaps out in the weather.
: = they must he handled Is deli.
Atesy . ssri~s or hops. Ia this CON-
section, Il 10 pertinent to remark That
this same matter Of careless handling
and preparation has greatly impaired
and depressed the value Of our
hops in tho market. Farm
srs will have to accept the fact aud act
upon it that their profession is really
one Of the fine arts. and clumsy, inai-
tistic work will not pay.
The deterioration Of the potato is not
confined to Puget Sound by any means
Il b quite - general in California. and
the last received monthly report Of the
Department Of Agriculture discloses
the general falling off Of the crop as
RECORDS both yield and quality through
out The Union. Blighting OF the vines
and decay u tubers Is reported in many
States alike in tho North and South.
The question then comes up OF the
relative profitsbleness of some other
agricultural speciality a. partial sub
stitute for tho WORKOUT aud degenerat.
Cd stapls-the potato. We emphati-
cally believe that in this particular To-
cality--including ell the Sound coan-
ties--the best is fruit culture. To this
conclusion We are forced by the con-
vinciag logic of experience. Says .
Nebraska exchange: ~. q. Coey, near
Buriingamc. Kansas. sold during the
season. 1876. $1,000 worth Of fruit from
. l0-acre orchard" This gives An az.
erageo Of $500 per acre Again. Mr..
Shepard. OF Otoe Co, Nebraska, sold
from q 30.acre orchard in 1870. over
$1,000 worth of fruit" These facts
furnish bnt m inadequate criterion Of
the indscesssnts prevented fer this
hrsscA of agriculture here where the
pfonnc yield Of the trees and the COM
mtrcial facilities Of situation are I'M
surpassed in the world.