The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-07-11
THE DAILY INTELLIGEyCER f.
Official Press of King County
Thursday, July IL. 1878.
EAST OR WEST.

While there can be 10 Doubt that that
vast extent of country in this Territory
lying east of the Cascade Mountains is
especially adapted to agricultural pur-
suits, and will be capable of sustaining
a population nearly equal in amount to
that of any State in the Union at the
present time, and will therefore eventu-
ally become the greatest grain pro-
ducing region anywhere in America, it
is yet questionable whether it does in
fact present greater inducements for
immediate settlement than very many
localities bordering upon Puget Sound.
We do not say this to the disparage-
ment of the eastern portion Of our Ter
ritory, for we believe it to be all in
viting field for immigration. and that
it is destined to become the granary, as
it were. and the great garden Of the
Pacific coast but we are led to the
reflection at this writing from the OBJ
servations and conclusions arrived at
recently by couple Of farmers who
came here some few months since for
the purpose of farming and stock rails
ing. They first arrived at this city,
and after thorough examination of
the Sound country found tract OF
about six hundred acres ia the Swino-
mish district. which they were so we'll
pleased with that a purchase was
agreed upon between them and the
owner providing they should not find
It advisable to locate III the Walla
Walla country. which they wished to
visit first. This they did shortly after.
and made pretty thorough examina-
ton. and thereupon wrote to tho
owner of the land on the Sound that
they would consummate the purchase
with him, stating that they were well
pleased with the eastern country, the
land being all it has been represented,
but that in their judgment one acre of
land here, owing to its proximity to a
'eady market, was worth two there.
This reason elaborated upon
means simply this that. owing
to the distance of that vast agricultural
region east of the mountains from tide
water. to which all its products must
find their way for market. the cost for
transportation, which is now exorbitant,
and must ever be large. is, and must
be drawback to profitable cultivation
unless grain always commands a good
price, whereas here, however low the
price OF grain may be, so that it would
enable farmers there to get it to Port
land without loss, the producer is
always sure of fair profit from his
crops. This is an important considera-
ton for the immigrant ard we opine
that very many of the thousands who
are now focking to this northern coast.
when they fully understand this mat.
ter. aside from learning that the advan.
tages of an equable and genial climate
are in favor of this side Of the noun
tains, will avail themselves of the many
openings there are around this Sound
for profitable farming operations.
While there seems 10 be en-
illlmitable field there for immigra-
ton and good one too so far as the
quality Of land is concerned, there is
yet room for thousands to protitsbly en-
gage in agriculture here, aud make
themselves comfortable homes in close
access to the commerce of the world,
where they will be enabled ere long to
realize by way of contrast "that fifty
years in Attica is worth Q whole cycle
of Cathay"