The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01

There are besides these probably seventy
or eighty other orchards. old and young,
Messrs OIlut, vicrick, Bastion. NORRIS,
HarnbIy, I. Fry, Won Gohren, Nichols be-
ing few Of the farmers whose whole at
tention is turned 10 this industry.
There are two nurseries. in both of which
fine trees are grown and find ready sale.
These nurseries are owned by Z. Won
Gohren, who Is also the foremost black
berry raiser on the island, and O. III. Van
SAINT. These nurserymen have struggled
through many difficulties in past years,
and have at length reached the point
where good name tells. their careful
growing of stock and care Of selection Is
at length bringing their names forward
among fruit growers as leading, trusted
nurserymen. But what each now requires
Is moneyed partner, with means TO ex-
tend their business to ten times their pres
ent size. So satisfactory has the past
been, 50 encouraging is the present, so
great are the results of the little already
done in a most imperfect manner, that
longheaded men Of means are banding to-
gether and forming fruit companies, to
grow, ship, can and dry all kinds Of fruits
The Orcas Island Fruit Company pur-
chased about 800 acres, which is being rap
idly cleared and set to fruit. This compa-
NY has two water fronts and viii own its
own wharf. The Puget Sound Fruit and
Canning Company has 80 acres, of which
one-half win be planted in large and small
fruits, and the other half plated and sold
IN lots and tracts. Another company Is
arranging TO purchase about $50 acres, Of
which 300 viii be planted to fruit and the
balance laid out for fruit village. And
still another company IL acquiring about
400 acres for the same purposes Each Of
these companies will erect canneries and
drIere
There are about 3 900 acres of good fruit
land on the island, without counting the
mountain slopes which will be terraced
and utilized also. Less than one twenty
eighth part Of this is now In use. But the
population Is rapidly increasing, and one,
i've, ten and twenty acre tracts are being
sold In every direction During the past
year over 900 acres have changed hands in
tracts of various sizes in the village of East
Sound alone, and over $4,000 worth of
fruit lands have been sold ON the island.
Seattle, Fairhaven and Sehome have
each company on the island, and Port
These companies by inducing immigration
to Orcas viii rapidly bring up the popula-
ton from its present number of some 500
or 800 10 1900 or $500 people. and there is
no reason why the island should not in
years to come be as densely populated as
the Island Of Jersey, which is rather
smaller in area than Orcas, but which by
fruit and vegetable culture has built up a
city of over 10000 people, as well as an i'm
mense rural population With its peculiar
advantages and magnificent situation in
the center Of all the local markets and all
the markets of the world, this island viii
be as well known all over the world as are
California, Florida and Italy for their
tropical fruits.
The greater amount of small fruits, espe-
cially Strawberries, have hitherto been
raised in the vicinity of Pole pass, on
small peninsula on the southwest of the
island on Mr.. W. FL. CadweIl's farm, but
the last year has seen many acres planted
in every part of the island to this luscious
and profitable fruit. Mr.. E. G. King and
Mr.. George Sutherland, of East Sound,
have planted two of the largest strawberry
patches and expect to ship several tons
next season. But there should be five
acres to every acre now planted in order to
supply the demand for Orcas island straw
berries.
Many fruits have not been mentioned,
such as the ounce, which grows remark
ably well and is very profitable. Figs,
mulberries and various kinds of nut trees
are now being experimental with; and as
walnuts, chestnuts, cobnuts and 6lberts
always succeed in similar climates, they
viii probably pay well On this island.
At the present time orcas island fruits
are purchased in the Seattle and other
markets for show fruits TO enable dealers
to sell of inferior and cheaper fruit from
other parts; and it is no uncommon thing
TO see the apples and pears labeled Cali
fornia fruit, IN order to satisfy those who
do not know that that state cannot raise
good apples nor well-havored pears.
The corresponding secretary of the Fruit
Growers Association, East Sound, is in
constant correspondence with people who
have met with the island fruit, and he is
always glad TO put intending settlers in
communication with those who have land
for sale. S. r. S. GRAY.