The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-11


Grass Knee-High.
Goldendals Sentinel
Attention 10 directed to the more prominent
features of vast forest~belt which stretches
from ts.s northern limits Of Klickitat valley to
the remote boundary of this state. First in
orderss well q In importance amongt the striking
characteristics Of that great fores' belt, which
approaches very near to the Columbia and TO
vast region In Oregon and Warrington wholly
dependent upon Il for lumber, timber and fuel,
Is the immense amount Of valuable pine products
found In the Simcoes and on the eastern slope
Of the Cascades. Inexhaustible resources OF
those important forest products abound In all
parts of the region visited by the writer, who
has been informed by those having full
knowledge OF the facts that the quantity
Of pine growth increases continually AZ
the Cascade slope II approached. Hence.
what I saw may be regarded -
very moderate Indication Of the actual wealth
which II soon to be made accessible BY new
lines Of railroad Yet, In . two days ride in
the region lying adjacent to the simcoe reserva-
ton with Mr.. William Mesecher, who has re-
sided there for the last seven years, saw sew
eral thousand acres of forest growth which is
capable Of yielding not less than 100000
feet Of lumber per acre. Many OF
the trees would afford from three to six
twelve-foot cuts. Of perfectly clear lumber.
varying In quantity. according to size OF tree
and number OF cuts from 1000 to 5000 feet OF A
No. pine lumber. As new lines of railroad
open mp that forest belt to timber and lumber
industries, the possibilities OF productiveness
for al that region will be incalculable.
The second important characteristic Of the
6imcoe forest belt Is an abundant supply Of sue
cuient grass and pure water for immense herds
OF stock. For many years past the owners OF
live stock in oil the adjacent regions OF Eastern
Washington and Oregon have relied chiefly
upon these supplies for the nourishment OF
their horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs, vast num-
beers of which are annually driven into the Sim
coe forest pastures. No one VINO has not seen
for himself and carefully est mated the present
value OF this one element in the natural re-
sources OF that vast region can have any ade-
quate conception of its future possib develop
ment In . ride ii twenty-five miles over thu
Simcoe slopes. on the first day OF August. 1890,
the estimated value OF stock which came
within comparatively marrow scope of
vision was not less than $4,000 And
yet we did not see one-hundredth part of
the well-fed an thor ughiy fatsed stock which
now finds luxurs ant pasturage upon the finest
forest grazing lands in the whole length and
breadth Of these United States. For miles along
our course the grass stood q foot in height. with
scattered herds OF stock resting or feeding be-
meath the tall pines and frs while scarcely
bush or small tree obstructed our view. On
nearly every quarter section of land in all that
vast region OF forest pasturage copiors supplies
Of water, issuing from springs or flowing in
limpid streams, invite the thirsty herds to
quench their desires fer q refreshing draught of
natures iichest provision for all living
creatures The view which was thus afforded
an enthusiastic observer who had traversed
the entire continent from ocean to ocean
and all parts of the middle Sierras
was one well calculated 10 produce the con-
viction that nowhere else does nature present .
scene like that which was thus spread out be-
fore us upon the Simcoe slope east of Cedar
valley. If these Two uaited elements of future
wealth for . vast region consisting of govern
ment and railroad lands in equal parts, except
ing two sections in each township. needed
. third and supplementary source of assurance
for populati that will occupy those forests
before another decade closes the nineteenth
century such need ID readily supplied. The
productive soil which now yields such abund-
ant pasturage for immense herds Of live stock,
with vast surplus that cannot be estimated, in
addition 10 its inexhaustible quantity of pine
and 6r, Is certain TO reward the future husband
fcvs IA op