Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-03-28
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
Her Resources as Narrated by Hon.
Henry B. Clifford
In Music Hall, Boston, January
18th, 1890.

injury d. SAAAOIo
In Music Hall, Boston, january
18th. 1890.
Conclusion from last STANDARD.
FARMING LANDS.
Blessed indeed is the State that has
the basis OF more than two industries.
Pennsylvania has three-Washington
has five. One of these is our vast area
Of farming lands-possibly the grand
est in America-and prolific in almost
every vegetation that grows. There is
a portion of our State extending north
from the south boundary line to the
Columbia river, embracing about 90
600 square miles, that, in the future,
will be known as the granary of the
West. There is no portion in which
the steel point of the plough has been
in the ground but agricultural
products, especially wheat, have sprung
up almost as quickly as the dragons
teeth sown by Cadmus. In wheat it
excels al the lands of the world in
average production. The only coun-
try that compares with it is England,
and there it has been obtained by high
In years of good crops,
we surpass all competitors, and pro-
duce seven bushels OF wheat to the
acre more than the State of New York,
six bushels more than the Buckeye
State, and ten bushels more than the
great State of Pennsylvania. We are
not troubled with mildew, but, in
harvest times, you will see lying in the
sun along the railway arteries great
stacks of wheat. The wheat of Wash
ington is shipped abroad and COM
mands in the European markets but n
few cents a barrel less than the wheats
of Minnesota. We have 100000
acres of such land, and the rainfall is
so evenly divided that, in portions, 16
inches is found to be plentiful, though
near the mountains a rainfall OF "a
inches is not unusual. Have you any
idea what crops can be grown on such
an area? If not, study it. The State
of Washington can supply 125,OOO,OO
bushels of wheat annually, if her
lands are properly handled, and it has
been very gratifying to know that far
mers have been the bone and sinew of
our emigration. Last year there was
taken up about 100000 acres of land
under the various acts, and $4,000 en-
tries were made. This shows that the
largest portion of the emigration to
the State is of the class that will add
TO our wealth. You can readily un-
dsrstand why we expect an immense
population, when these advantages are
understood. We ask you to assist in
building permanent agricultural in
dustry that will enable us to reap the
benefits made so apparent. There are
20, 100000 acres of unsurveyed land in
our State. Fonr million acres are
held by Indians, one tract alone-the
Colville observation, rich in valleys
and Notwithstanding 3,250,OOO
acres; yet populated with but 400 red
men. When these people sell their
lands to the government and take
farms in severalty, you will under
stand that our basis of expectations of
large influx of population is justified.
There is no State-unless it be Texas
that offers equal inducements to
capital for investment in land. We
have almost every avenue of farm cul-
ture awaiting development. The
gentleman with but scanty knowl-
edge of agriculture can cultivate hops
at an immense profit. The grape can
be grown; for. the amorous glances Of
the sun kiss quickly into life the pur-
pie fruit. wish to say that there are
no Mexican land grants in our State,
and investors can acquire direct title.
is obscure. Railroad lands
can be bought without the necessity
of residing upon them. Government
lands can only be obtained by settle
ment. Individual lands must date
their origin from either one of these
sources, so it is very easy to trace title.
Do not misunderstood me regarding
The productiveness of our land. A
large portion Of the best railroad land
has been purchased, and most of it is
under cultivation, and it is upon the
product of this that we base our ex-
pectations for that portion of our area
still open for settlement. We grow
almost everyikind of vegetable, yet we
have never made corn staple product
even barley and rye have not proven
although our oat crop is
Any thing requiring much
heat does not thrive so we'll. Fruit
grows to phenomenal size and quality,
and we expect to gain much revenue
rom the luscious grape.
All here tonight who think OF farnl-
ing should study the advantages OF
Here, even though but
slightly cultivated, you can see valleys
and plains teeming with the grandest
gems of vegetation; here the rose and
the violet, the lily and the golden-rod
bud in the open air, the atmosphere
heavy with their fragrant fumes; here
your mich cows browse in meek con-
Lentment among grasses that reach to
their flanks; here they can stand
knee-deep in the crystal flood and
,,,ench their thirst in the cool springs
that gurgle and flow from the hidden
streams. Every thing is in the far
mer's favor. The ground even con-
tains natural phosphates, causing in
olaces such marvellous luxuriance OF
nature that each tree or vine weakens
,r actually destroys its neighbor by
. o<1,,ct;ov,. "a ita bearing