The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-06-22

An essay. by J W Colkstt. q Whid-
by Island. delivered June 18th. 1880.
on the occasion OF his graduation 10 the
commercial courss of Vie Territorial
University:
Washington Territory. the most north.
western part of the United States ex-
cept Alaska. embraces an area of about
seventy thousand square miles. Ths
surface 10 diversified by the mountains
and valleys Of the western aud the
plains Of the eastern dlvisicn..
Allowing for the waters II Puget
Soand and its tributaries, aud the
mountainous regions one 9TH Of the
Q tire area, there 10 left thirty-five
Ii lion acres. Of which about twenty
o illions. are covered With q
heavy growth Of timber. five millions
are the rich slluQal lands Of Puget
Found an ] the vAIlsys. and The remand Z
constitutes the plaiGs Of Eastern WASH
ington. through which the Columbia
end numerous smaller rivers wend
their way toward the Pscific.
The climate u very mild. being sub
Jet to no extremes of best OF colo.
As On agricultural country. Washing-
ton Territory has many advantages
over other parts oil the United States,
being we'll wstcrsd BY the sColumbis
and its tributaries and the rivers Of the
Puget Sound basin. Besides it, near
ness to tbs sea coast counts much in it,
favor.
The tillable coil OF the western part
10 composed principally Of slIsv,al de-
posits. and its capacity for producing
large crops Of rooss,snd grain, slthough
bur jumps rfectly cultivated. has been
demonstrated bsyond doubt. Much
Of this land bordering directly on the
waters of Puget Sound. needs only to
b enclosed BY ayks Of . few feet in
hight, to reclaim it ready for the pillow;
while the isSd in the valleys. being
covered with deciduous trees. the stumps
soon decay, and beside the timber in
many instances more than pays for the
clea ring.
The soil east OF the Cascades. al.
though not % productive - the slluvial
lands Of Puget Sound. 10 easily culti-
vstsd, add large portion 10 capable Of
producing good yield Of wheat. which
10 the principal graia rsised in this
part Of tbs Territory. Besides the
whest growing section Of Eastern
Washington. there 10 large ares suit
able fer grazing sad stock-raising.
The rich bunoh-grsS. which is scknow.
lodged to be the very best Of pasture.
sbounds in nearly ell parts Of this 800
tion. The winters being mild it grows
the year round. thus saving the trouble
and expense OF housing aud feeding
stock. This region 10 wall watered BY
many small streams. and on account
Of the mildness Of the winters and
nsver-faihnz u ,ply Of pAstarage. is .
very desirable locality for sheep rails
ing; while for the same reasons. horse.
raising and dairy far~ing car be very
successfully carried ON.
OF the twenty million acres OF wood
land the larger po lin J. cover
ed with . heavy growth Of red FIR tim
Der. which 10 the tirst ia value. and the
chief timber used in ship-buildiug, the
lumber psoduced from it being noted
for its length. freedom FROM knots.
elasticity. strength combined with
lightness, and lie great eixe. Besides
the red fir. the white pine. cedar and
spruce. which are vslusole on account
Of the durability. softnes. and Liz Illness
Of the wood, are found in oil parts Of
the Puget Sound basin. ~ 10 slso the
hemlock; which 10 valuable sliks for
its bark which ID used for tanning pur-
poses. and Its wood which il made into
lumber. Hard woods suitable for the
manufacture Of farming implements,
such - OAK, ash and maple are found
in limited quantities In almost every
part Of the Territory. OF woods adapt
cd TO the manufacture OF furniture and
ornamental work Washington Territory
hes very fair share; while in nearly
oil the valleys 10 found the cotton wood,
Which on account Of Ito tsnacity com
bined with softhsss Of fiber. adapts il
t. the manufacture OF bsrrels. eto
Although Thorough examination OF
The Territory has never been made,
yet beyond . doubt the mountains are
rich In minefals. Goal Of 3 very good
Quality be- been discovered at various
poilts o. Pagst 6oand from Bellins.
ham hay 70 Oly1pia; its nearness to
desp water end The $50 with which il
y mined adding greatly 70 its value.
Rich .dspoaits Ut isoa ore have been
discovered IN The vicinity Of Seattle
and Port Townsend. 6tens suitable