The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-09-27
S. B. SMITHS LETTER
Comparison of Washington and Min
nesOta as Agricultural and
Fruit Raising States.
A Tree Which Bears Peaches Meas
uring From IL to 10 Inches
in Circumference.

ington was a few years ago and what
it is today, and I have been asked,
SIS it good place for general farm
ing purposes?" I will give my opin-
ion but I will first mention peach
that Mrs. Smith has just brought in
from one of the neighbors which meas
ured l2115 inches in circumference, and
the lady that gave it to her picked
one from the same tree that measured
16 inches. That tree bears not only
large peaches, but they are delicious
in flavor.
I have heard it stated several times
by different men that have lived a few
months in Washington and then re-
turned to their former home that
Washington as state for general
farming was not to be compared with
Minnesota. There is some truth in
that statement, but it is too broad an
assertion to make, therefore cannot
agree with those that make such state
ments. The human mind is of such a
nature, and there is such diversity
of opinion, that no one person can
make statements or form opinions
that will be agreeable to or accepted
by the whole human race: therefore,
my opinion of Washington as
compared with Minnesota as an
agricultural state, although given
honestly and candidly, will have but
little weight in the minds of some
people. That which some people like
others dislike, and it is very pleasant
to think of this diversity of opinion.
1t also shows the wisdom of the
creator in bringing forth man, for if
we all liked the same kind of food or
fruit the supply would not be equal to
the demand, and if we all liked the
same place it would not contain us, or
if we all liked the same woman there
would be large number of bachelors
in the world. Then again, some
minds are bilious as we'll as bodies.
When the body is in sickly con-
dition it is not fitted for work and
when the mind is in the same con-
dition it is not capable of forming
correct opinions. My physical and
mental faculties are in very healthy
condition, therefore claim that my
opinion is reasonable and reliable.
When I came to Washington there
was great immigration to the state
and it was mystery to me, when I
saw how rough and rugged the coun-
try was, what inducement there was
to cause so many people to come here
to live, but after a five months resi-
dence in the state it is no longer a
mystery. Its healthy, salubrious
climate and it's fruit are the two great
est inducements. During the last
financial depression Minnesota farm
ers were urged to 60 into diversified
farming, and that method has been
kept before the farmers for the last
decade as the sure road to success.
II that method is the best-and it
surely is-for one state it will be for
all states in the union, and the state
ments in my last communication were
sufficient to convince any reasonable
man that Washington is good state
for diversified farming. The average
yield of wheat per acre is several
bushels more than Minnesota pro-
duces and dairying and stock raising
is more profitable than in Minnesota.
1t takes much less to feed stock here
than there and in the fruit line, to use
a slang phrase, Minnesota is not in
it, Minnesota is making progress in
fruit raising, but will never be able
to compete with Washington for size,
quality or variety. Minnesota has
not as much waste land as Washing
ton, but Washington never has any
snow storms or..30 and 40 below zero
winters. Between 20 and 30 above
zero is the coolest we have here. It
is said that the land is bad to clear
from stumps after the timber is cut.
Yes, the fir and cedar stumps are
hard to remove, but so are the bass
wood, elm and pine of Minnesota hard
to remove. This does not, however,
hinder ambitious and energetic men
from settling on the timber lands of
Minnesota and making good farms.
The same is true of that class of men
in Washington. Let US read little
history and see what hardships the
early settlers had to endure in order
to make themselves a home. Has the
race deteriorated? Have men become
pigmies? Nay, verify, the country is
filed with men that are strong, hardy
and ambitious, and are willing to take
the axe, the brush scythe and the mat
took and make themselves homes in