The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-02
FLOODS AND FRUIT.
Commissioner Cass Talks Upon the Sub
iecf an His DIstrIct-


J.F. cass, commissioner of the state
board OF horticulture for the third district,
was IN the city yesterday. His district
embraces the counties OF King. Snohon-
ish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San
Juan. He has recently come from trip
along the skagit river. In the course of
an interview with PosT-ISrELLIGEseER
reporter. he said:
"The loss by the freshet in the Skagit
delta has been much exaggerated. The
fact Is that outside of one or two cases,
but little permanent damage has been
done. OF coarse the major portion of the
present seasons crop OF sowed grain in the
submerged districts has been destroyed,
bat the hay crop did not suffer so much
aud the fruit orchards none Mt all. The
water rose but few inches higher tless
than a footl than was usual in other high
freshets but these few inches went over
and caused the cutting Of the dikes. Many
of these dikes wers but poorly designed
to keep within bounds the raging
waters, in my own district being
much of il but a foot in height
and formed of loose sand. which soon
washed out. The people now are awake
TO the importance of making these more
secure. Many of the estuaries or outlets
of the river are practically closed by the
boom companies, and against which are
collected mass OF timber, fallen trees.
etc, in one case filling one of the main
channels or mouths of the river for several
miles with solid jam of debris and
sand cutting of the exit of probably
one-half OF the wates OF the South fork
or main river. A few years ago the log
gers. grown bold by their former undis-
turhed operations of this nature, placed q
boom across the north fork of the river
near its head, entirely closing it 10 nayi-
CATION and use Of the public. and the per-
manent closing of thai arm or branch of
the river Was only prevented by the farm
ers blasting out the distractions with dyna-
mite, and the mass of timber collected
above. of some one-haif mile in extent, was
sent out TO sea.
ar is claimed that loggeFs from time 10
time cut large amount of timber from
the school section (public) lands near
Skagit City, aud, although IS was well un-
derstood there the attention OF the prose
cutting attorney was called 10 the matter,
no attempt was made 10 interfere with
their Expectations.
.sThe iruit crop in general on the Skagit.
and on Mnidby and the islands north OF
there, viii be limited one the present
season. The italian pFane, because OF
continuous rams in the blooming period,
will weld less than one-haf a crop APP
ples OF most varieties viii also be shors GA
account of fungi Wildly island. how
ever. will yield a fair crop of Baldwins.
When the growers learn to spray more
with the sulphate Of copper solution the
apple crop will be almost a certain one in
All this district liz is interesting 60 notice
in this connection thai The presence OF
high water has Only stimulating effect
mon the growth Of orchards of the apple
and prune varieties, rather than other
wise.
.sThe board Of horticulture expects 10
hold several meetings among the iruit
growers in the early part OF July, al Fail
city. Coapeyille. NJ Vernon and also IN
Whatcom county