Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-10

the world. In round numbers there
are ten million acres of heavy timber
in the Sound region proper, and TIVE
million contiguous to it, east of the
Cascade Range, consisting chiefly Of
white and yellow fir, white and red
cedar, spruce, hemlock, pine and
larch. There is considerable oak, ash
and alder, but the evergreen woods
are the great staple. The most
abundant Of these is the fir. The
average diameter Of this tree in the
tracts where it is called heavy timber
is five feet, and the average height
$50 feet. In the mountain sections
thousands Of trees can be found ten
feet through above the swell OF the
stump, and 300 feet high. Some, OF
this height, have been found fifteen
feet in diameter. Trees OF twelve
feet through are common in several Of
the mountain sections.
One mill company sent an expert
upon a square mile Of its property 10
make an estimate Of the amount
standing. He decided that it would
run about twenty millions OF ieet, and
might reach forty millions. The
Governor of the Territory regards
fifteen million feet as fair average
for the whole timber area Of twelve
million acres. A government sur
veyor, who has made himself familiar
with large sections of this timber
belt, names four townships on the
upper and eastern shore Of the Sound
where he asserts that the trees will
average seven feet in diameter and
325 feet high. He says they stood SO
thick that it will be difficult to re-
move them. At Seattle a log had
been brought in to exhibit, which was
l04 feet long, and would square fol
that length thirtyssix by forty inches
These great trees furnish clear lumber
for 100 feet, being clear of limbs fol
that distance.
Immense cedars are found, not Al
tai, and yet running up in many casel
we'll toward two hundred feet. The
same is true OF larch, and it attains .
height equal to any. A cedar, solid
throughout, has been found Of twenty
five feet diameter. Cypress and hem.
lock are plenty, and equal the frs in
size. The trees of a foot, eighteen
inches, and even two feet in diameter
are derided as scrub timber BY those
who know the mountain product.
There are forty saw mills on the
sound. One handles logs one hundred
and twenty feet long, and cuts 400.
OOO,OOO feet annually. But as yet only
the margin Of the forest has been cut
into. There are immense tracts
which as yet are practically unex-
plored.
While this unrivaled body Of timber
seems ine1hkustible it sorely needs
protection. Fire annually DESTROYS
millions Of feet. possibly Is much as
the mills nov cut. Hunters are care,
les and cause many widespread con-
aagratio1A Settlers employ FIRE as
the most efieisntiuplement for clear
ING thsir land, and their work often
runs tar beyond their own property.
Bat the public Is rapidly rousing itself
70 this waste, and both law and public
sentiment are a. work 70 repress the
destruction. This, in connection with
rapidly extending efforts at tree cul.
ture on the prairie sections, must in
ieE years produce marked and laost
important results.
IL Is not only timber wealth that ma.
ture has lavished on this Puget gound
region, but the whole Of K seems 10 be-
aoderlaid with coal. Much Of III, i
ignite, but it is Of excellent onalitv
and IS already burned a. some points
IN preference to wood. Butthere are
immense fields Of excellent bitumi-
nous coal, which, like the forest an.
pear to be practically inerbsugt Sc
lie excellence and value Of the sun
ply to the whole coast is shown by ~
iact that the Central Pacific rsiiroa5
obtains It's coal here, taking much Of
u alrect IN It's own steamers TIE
railroad carries large quantities of h
% Portland, aud sends il thence 10
inland points, and also down the eosst
Either the forest or the coal element
Of the sound region would distinguish
1t as a remarkable section. but tbe
combination ofthe two places Il among
the richest tracts Of the globe in natu
Although farming on q large seals
has made little progress, yet az snsce
can be made 10 the large timber ana
as the valleys where the wood Arc
ng9ter and cleared, the growth Of yeg
etables and fruits are found 10 he nbe.
nomenal; as the soil is rich tbe Ill
mate almost semi tropical in its salu.
DIRTY and the whole region sheltered
unusual developments follows az
matter OF course. On frst nass;ns
through Tacoma we were astonisbad
at the displays Of garden vegetable
ana fruits, and such produetions ss
Almond but after journeyipe north
ward to the boundary aud finding H.
same surprises everywhere. We eonld
only be convinced that il was natnre,s
way along Puget Sound,
The waters are as prolific as the
shore;. There are over eight7 yarie.
eles oil hsh, and the supply Of each
seems unlimited. Those seeking s v~Us
can never be disappointed in the bavs
the Sound itself, or the countless
streams which flow into it. FishinS
ior commercial purposes Is an imnor
ta9 an, Industry, and yields rich retnrns
Inc climate is far preferable 10 thai
q pan francisco. II is difficult, with
snlps OF hrst class at every wharf an
steamers from every nation plonsbins
It's waters, TO realize that this e M
country. That it has a future CON- oU
lnensarate with its remarkable natn
doubt. V' Suuilt OF
e.. '"e valleys opening out
rom the Sound remarkable success
has attended hop culture These .ro
the Puyallup aud White river tn
results obtained from a planting of
hali an acre in 1866 ia the hrst named
valley led to culture on a large scale
Inc most extensive grower M Il !
ueeKer' from Ohio Of course-form.
erly OF Butler oounty-beq,n with |
Two acres IN 1868. The yield Of b;s |
'rop for 1852 was more than seventv
me tQns-the largest crop Of TX
United States. There are now tb;rto
plantations in this valley. ana ~
Whole length Of fifty miles, by from
I've to ten in width, IS being taken mn
As to prices Of farms in cultiyat;op
me has been offered ut 800, and
Uuln nrnhuk L.. y /