The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-13
1T SHOULD NOT BE.

Only a few days ago Portland dispatch
announced the arrival in that city of an
immense consignment of turkeys, chick
ems, eggs and other farm products, shipped
from the East and in great part destined to
Seattle and other of Washington's chief
cities; and for a year or two back it has
been notorious that similar large ship
ments of the same products have been
made from the same quarter to all the
states and territories of this Coast, Califor-
MIA being the largest consumer.
The fact is shameful and Notifying. In
Washington there can be no shadow of ex-
cuse for it. Nothing but short-sighted
and thriftless neglect of matchless oppor-
tunities can account for the importation
into this state of any staple farm product
grown in any portion of the north temper
ate zone Nowhere can these be produced
in greater abundance, of better quality,
with less expenditure of labor, or with bet
ter facilities for reaching good markets at
minimum OF cost.
Puget Sound is dotted all over with little
islands covered with rich, loose loan, equal
Nile. and on every hand the mainland is
thickly traversed by valleys adapted to
boundless production. These, of course,
enjoy the very highest advantages of con-
venient water transportation, both by
steam and sailing craft, at prices that are
comparatively but nominal, and thence,
when more extended market shall be
needed, there will at an early date be con-
nection with not less than four transconti-
mental and several local railroads.
For all cereals and root crops Western
Washington has superior advantages. Its
warm and humid climate makes 1t the fav-
orite habitat OF small berries and all gar
den trucks, which not only produce album
dant crops, but attain succulence and
flavor OF rarest quality. But for dairying
and poultry raising the abundant and ever
green and tender grasses. the never-failing
and plentiful supply of fresh water and of
shading foliage, the freedom from ex-
tremes of heat or cold, all combined, invest
this section with superiority over any
other portion of the American continent
Thoroughly cultivated to its highest
capacity, this Puget Sound country should
supply the entire Pacific coast with its
choicest small fruits and vegetables, with
any required supply of eggs and superior
poultry, and half the continent with but
ter and cheese. There is no part of the
United States in which these industries
can be prosecuted with less outlay OF cap
ital or labor, equal advantages for reach
ing good markets, and therefore with
equal net profit. 1t is field in which
newcomers can readily turn their time, in-
dustry and skill TO immediate account,
with no element of risk and an absolute
certainty of remunerative returns.
No venture OF the kind has ever proved
unsuccessful, and the home supply has
never constituted more than an infinitesi-
mai fraction of the general demand. The
section is capable of supplying an empire.
but up to the present time has drawn q
large portion of its own supplies from
abroad. Those who correct these condi.
tons will reap fortunes. and there is no
shadow of doubt but that the growth of
the demand will more than keep pace with
the results of starting new enterprises.
There is nowhere and in no line of business
more inviting field for the industrious
man of moderate means to build up at the
same time delightful home and a luera-
tive business.