The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-09-02
Peace and Plenty.

There are evidences on every hand
that the present tall and ,swinter season
will be among the most prosperous
ever enjoyed by the people of the Pa
ciiic Northwest. The garnering OF
crop, which taken as a whole, has ncv-
er been equalled, will soon be complet-
cd, and from present indications, the
harvest will he secured in good con-
ditiOn, SO that abundance will be ac
compared by a quality IF very high
average. 1t is estimated that the
wheat crop Of three states will reach
10000, 600 bushels, half of which will
be produced in The state of Washing
ton, and 100000 is low estimate
OF the amount of revenue derived for
the state from that source alone. I'm
less something unexpected occurs the
returns from tie wheat crop VII be
smaller than last year, but unlike
previous seasons, farmers are largely
out of debt, having already a surplus
and paying cash for their purchases,
SO that the present years crop will go
into improvements and local trade
channels instead of to mortgage and
loan companies, as in the past. Other
grains are likewise good crop and
will afford an export surplus in barley,
oats and flax, while hay and potatoes
will be in advance of home consump-
ton. The fruit yield is abundant.
The prune crop is the largest ever
known and opening prices to growers
is lc pound for the dried product
above that Of last year Walla Walla,
Yakima and the Snake river districts
continue TO ship immense quantities
OF green fruits out of the state, while
the valleys of Western Washington
have sent out more than the usual
amount Of berries and small fruits.
Dryers and canneries have been con-
structed and measures taken to realize
full returns from the industry. The
hop crop is above 10000 bales of a
choice product, possibly reaching So
600 bales. Dairy products have in
creased i'll value immensely during the
year, and the Washington dairy farm
er has not been behind the wheat
grower in adding to his store. The
butter output, last year estimated at
about 1925, 900, has perhaps not in
creased i'll volume materially, but the
returns have been 10 to IS per cent
larger, and the dairy industry has
been worth considerably over a half
million dollars to the state.
The lumber cut of Washington in
GLIDING shingles, will crowd the So
0OO,O00 point very closely the present
year. 1t is probable that 6OO,OOO,OOO
feet is within the total of tie product
sawed, and present shipments of shin
giles steadily exceed those of last wear.
when a grand total of Approximately
3,OOO,O 100000 shingles were cut bv the
mills of Washington.
Other lines of industry have made
steady progress. The -four mills es-
peclaiiy have broadened their markets.
enlarged their capacities and are push
ing the manufactured products Of
Washington grain into the various i'm
porting countries of the world, while
there Is no apparent limit to their
field, with the employment of enter
prise in seeking after trade across the
waters of the Pacific.
A new era of commercial progress
has opened mp during the year. ORR
entail markets are steadily expanding.
Hawaii has become American soil and
oilers opportunities for trade which
are being taken advantage of; the
Philippines will open to the Washing
ton manufactures and producer and
Alaska has become healthy and
large consumer of our products. On
all sides the same promises of prosper-
ity and business activity are apparent.
and the permancy of these conditions
Is equally promising.-West Coast
Trade.