Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-08-01

SEATTLE. July 30. 1881

SEATTLE, July 30, 1884.
EDITOR PosT-ISTKLLrGENCER:
Twenty years ago it was freaueutIy
asserted by short-siRhted people on Pu-
get Sound that Washington Territory
could or would produce nothing bu.
lumber. At that period the farm pro-
ducts Of this section did not suffice to
feed our very small population; lumber
WAS the only article exported. and upon
the sale of lumber abroad were many Of
the then residents dependent for food
aud clothing. Both prior 70 and long
since the time mentioned has tn. writer
heard the same assertion; a few believed
II, and some even went 80 far as TO say
that when the country Was denuded Of
Its timber IT wosld become depopulated.
80 firmly rooted Was this impression in
the minds Of a few that, discouraged A,
tue prospl CT, they tIrned their backs
upon the Territory and sought What 10
them seemed more promising fie!d,.
How widely they mistook the character
of our climate and soil is nov being
daily demonstrated. Other products
are fast assuming an importance that
bids fair TO leave iun Der far ia the back
ground within \ few years
ride over the road that connects
Seattle with Tacoma will open the ewes
of sotne of your readers with as'onish-
ment. From IitCsville, In King county,
on through White river and Puyallnp
valleys, for a distance of some twenty
mile, hop fields upon hop fields meet
the ~ In rapid Succession on both sides
OF the road, with intervening patches OF
land that are destined for tue same Use
when cleared, as they are in process of
being now. The adaptability of clim ,ts
and soil TO the successful growth of hops
having been clearly shown, added to the
handsome profit derived from their cul-
tlsatlon, very naturally all who possess
land IN the valleys named are eager to
engage In this pnrsuIt, and there is little
doubt that all of tue land thereabouis
suit ibls for the purpose will ultimately
he devoted To the growth of hops. The
only danger To be ap..rehended is that
the business will be overdone, but san.
guine growers deem that impossible
In these fertile valleys the Yield, in the
second aud succeeding years, ranges
from lJOO TO 2JOO pounds per acre. and
the quality, when properly cured. Is
equal To the best grown In Europa or
America.
The most gratifying results of this
industry are TO be seen in the flourish.
ing towns to which they have given
birth. Three young, thrifty and rap
idly growing towns Iitusvlile, Sumner
aud Puyallup-are the direct offspring
nf ha hon s.nl -
seen commodious schools, churches, ho-
tells, stores. and residences as slightly
and attractive as many of the finer
dwellings, in Seattle. All the buildings
in these seemingly prosperous little
bear the appearance of having been
erected within year or two, 40 neat
and new do they look. Here and there
are other struct1res in various stages Of
erection, thus showing that the growth
Of shese towns has not been suspended.
The population of Titusville, the small
est, is about one hundred uls; that of
Summer L. about two hundred aud that
OF Fuyallup some three hundred.
visit 10 these vigorous young towns is
truly refreshing after confinement tu
the city until it's sights and scenes have
becom" monotonous.
Handsome fortunes AS well as pros
porous towns are among the fruits of
hop culture in King and Pierce coun-
ties. A number of very worthy, enter
prising and industrious men, who for
twenty or thirty years had labored in
vain to acquire competence, have by
their hop fields been made quite wealthy.
None who know the disheartening strug-
giles of these men in past wears will envy
them their richly msrited Independence.
IL WAS their fate often to experience the
hope deferred which maketh the heart
sick" yet they brsvely stemmed the
current until they reached the. tide that
led to fortune. Lou9 may they live to
enjoy their well earned opulence. IL the
ferveRt wish of the writer, who has wit
messed the disoouragemehts to which
these men have been subjected. and
therefore knows whereof he speaks.
In addition to the above, Il NAV be
remarked that hops have eaHh season
put considerable amount Of money IN
circulation. here aud elsewhere. and has
alss given employment to a large num-
Der Of mechanics. This Is perhaps not
the least important of the fruits borne
by the hop VINE.
Reference might he made TO other
products, mineral aud vegetable to show
that Washington Territory IL capable of
Supplying something bes dts lamber;
but it was only designed To give the
reader an idea of what hops have done
and are doiag 10 prom )te the welfare of
our people. L. &.