The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-18
ENCOURAGING SYMPTOMS.

There is nothing more encouraging rs
to the future permanent prosperity Of
Western Washington than il observable
In the general movement, with the open
ing of spring, in clearing, improving and
cultivating small holdings for fruit grow
ing and market gardening purposes. To
very large extent this course is being pur-
sued by . superior class Of population,
comprising goodly number who have
quit mercantile pursuits or more specu1a-
tive enterprises to engage in these pleas
ant. heaIthful and highly promising fields
of actual production.
While this movement is more or less
active at various points around the
Sound, Vashon island is probably the
scene of greatest and most systematic de-
velopment. This is. perhaps, due to the
location of the island with reference to the
two chief markets of the Sound, and the
advantage of being on the thoroughfare
of steamer and sailing vessel travel be-
tween the two chief cities of the state,
Seattle and Tacoma. The island is about
IL miles long, with an average width Of
about 8 miles from Seattle. and the south
ern about the same distance from Tacoma.
Originally upon the whole island there
was dense growth Of superior timber,
principally fir. cedar and hemlock, and
the larger portion is still heavily timbered.
A few early experiments demonstrated
that the soil when cleared and cultivated
produced superior quality Of fruit-more
especially strawberries, raspberries, cur
rants and the like, for which in Seattle
and Tacoma demand far in excess of the
supply was found at highly renumerative
prices. Little by little those who first
ventured upon. the experiment have en-
larged their operations, and latterly their
numbers have been largely increased.
The late census credited the island with
q population of about 700, which has been
considerably augmented, and now proba-
bly, amounts to $50 or 900. OF these proba-
bly, IS to 30 per cent. are actively engaged
in clearing and cultivating small holdings
Of few acres each for horticultural and
gardening purposes, in which connection
the island is veritable beehive Of activity
and useful industry. Strawberry culture
seems to be the favorite venture, but other
small fruits are largely represented, and
there are hundreds of trim orchards in
which all Of the favorite fruits of the north
temperate zone may be found; apples,
pears, plums. prunes and cherries pre-
dominating.
1t is estimated that this year the yield Of
small fruits and vegetables will quintuple
that Of any former year, with heavy in
crease in orchard products, and what with
similar improvement at other points
around the Sound promises to give this
section material relief from dependence
upon California and other sections, besides
supplying our people with these pleasing
and healthful adjuncts to good living
fresher and in better condition every way.
Besides which, every dollar thus diverted
to the pockets of our own producing
classes adds even more than its actual
amount to the general welfare and present
and future material prosperity of the
section.
Manufacturing, mining, commerce and
the like are to be encouraged as promotive
of progress and the general welfare, but
the highest advantages of these are not to
be attained if these more modest auxiliary
enterprises are neglected. A population
such as that with which vashon island il
blessed, intelligent, orderly, enterprising
and industrious, engaged in building COM
Portable homes, rearing families to the
pursuit of useful and independent in
dustries, and making the land to TEEN
with delicious vegetable production, must
add enormously to the attractiveness of
this section for those contemplating in
vestments in the broader fields of manu-
featuring and the like.