The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-28

THE whatcom fair has been a great sue
cess. The exhibits OF the products Of the
section tributary 10 the county amply
demonstrated not only the variety OF its
wealth but the quality. There were some
specimens Of vegetables and fruits remark
able for their size. but the exhibitors wise
iy preferred to show the merchanta5le
character OF the products.
Gigantic cabbages and monster potatoes
serve 10 arrest attention and awaken
surprise. but IL is quality which is most
sought after. and upon that merit will
permanent market rest With this end in
view. the managers invited fair average
samples. and the result established the
claim Of the county TO be able TO raise GER
tain fruits and vegetables which viii COM
pare favorably with those of any part OF
the country. and some Of them cannot be
surpassed. Potatoes, cabbages. celery,
berries and apples were shown in abund-
ance whose flavor should command the
highest prices. Pears hardly fare so well,
although there were many notable excep-
tons. With these as a nlalnstay, the agri-
cultural districts ought to be prosperous.
and TO them may be added nearly all the
harder specimens of vegetables.
one OF the most important future indus
tries OF the county should be fax. The ex-
periments made at the agricult-
ural station and by independent
raisers were most satisfactory. AL
though some OF them show in
experience in preparation, the quality of
the fiber is beyond question. The crop
varies from two and three-quarters TO four
tons TO the acre. and the average price
would probably be SIS a ton for straw.
This calls for no more than the cultiva-
ton, but when the farmers get accustomed
to the process of preparing for manufAct-
ure they could get still larger share OF
the profit. The price OF hacked fax ranges
from $50 to $500 ton. the straw yielding
from Is TO 90 per cent OF fiber. Some of
the refuse can also be used for spinning
and weaving coarser material.
The process is simple and by the estab-
lishment Of small mills. the cost Of haul
ing TO market may be considerably re-
duced The climate and soil of parts OF
Whatcom county are admirably adapted
to the cultivation of fax, a combination
found in very few places. In this respect
flax il entirely unlike wheat and COM
petition is scarcely 10 be feared.
While the fair cannot far to result in
much good. its best lesson will be lost I'M
less determined efforts be made 10 develop
the growth Of fax. The people OF What
com should also endeavor 20 establish a
weekly market. The farmers complain
that they cannot dispose OF their products.
and the town people reply that they cannot
depend upon a regular supply. The weekly
market Is one OF the great features Of
most European towns, and it has been
this country. \ little opposition might be
raised by commission merchants, hut in
the end they as well as the whole county
would beneft.
The farmers Of Washington may well
complain that potatoes are brought in by
the carload from Iowa There is no rea-
son for 1t except the superior arrange
ment for bringing buyer and seller
into contact. and this the weekly mar
ket TO great extent would do, 1t is nee
essary to pack fruit and vegetables with
care for shipment. but the difficulty is
that small producers cannot afford 20 buy
boxes and crates. and take the risk OF
having their produce left on their hands.
with a good home market. they would get
enough ready cash TO enable them 10 ex-
s.,-& shrEr N.nw4strna