Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-06-07
RICH HFARMINGLANDS
OF CHEHALIS COUNTY, DESCRIBED
BY ]. E. CALDER.
r1r. Calder, Recognized authority
on the Subject, Writes the Follow.
ing Article for the Aberdeen Cham-
Der of Commerce, for Use in the
FOrfhCOmingjBoOk.

Chehalis is one Of the richest counties
in the state Of Washing ton in the extent
and diversity of its agricultural resources.
From the open prairies in the eastern end
to the slopes of the Pacific at the west,
and from the foothills of the Olympic
mountains on the north to the fertile
valleys OF the North and other rivers in
the southern portion, there are now
raised in abundance the greatest variety
OF tilabie crops, all of which contribute
materially to the importance OF the
county and make it most inviting To-
cality for the practicalsand industrious
farmer.
1t is in this wide diversity of aglicul.
tural resources that Chehalis county has
so marked an advantage over other sec.
tions OF the state, where only limited
number. OF staple crops can be cultivated
with certainty and at profit to the hus.
bandman. Within the boundaries of this
county there exists almost every variety
OF soil, the most perfect climatic condi.
tons, the certainty OF sufficient natural
moisture, and all the other essential
factors necessary to the proper growth
and maturity OF staple farm products.
In the eastern and southern end OF the
county, from the Thurston and Lewis
county borders, for several miles Gown
toward Montesano, there are wide areas
OF the finest lands iu the valleys along the
Chehalis, Garrard, Potter, Mox Chehalis,
Cloquallum and Satsop rivers, many of
which are now under the highest state OF
cultivation, the farmers raising each year
certain crops, which for yield and quality
cannot be excelled anywhere in the west.
These crops consist mainly of wheat, rye,
oats, potatoes, all kinds OF vegetables and
small fruits, and forage crops of timothy
and clover.
Further to the west, the valleys OF the
ttWyrsoche, Wishkah, Hoquam, Hump.
tulips rivers and tributary streams all
present the most perfect conditions for
raising exceptionally large crops of rye,
oats, grasses, tubers Of every description,
and the finest varieties OF berries and
truck, while the rich bottom lands of the
North, Neuskah and Johns rivers are
veritable garden spots, every foot Of them
being capable OF intensive cultivation,
with the certainty of regular annual
yield that cannot be surpassed by any
other section in the state.
The impression which seems to prevail
that Chehalis county has only its timber
wealth to depend upon. and that it is
largely unfit for agricultural purposes is
most erroneous one, for with the cutting
Oft OF the timber, even those sections OF
land which at first would appear valueless
for farming, have, when properly cleared,
proven to be as fertile as the river bot
toms, especially for crops which require
ligl ter or more loamy soil. In fact,
there are all kinds OF lands for all classes
OF farmers right here in Chehalis county,
and it is to'this wide range of oi-tilling
that the diversified nature of the land,
will. in time, strongly appeal.
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One particular crop which can always
be depended upon to yield the most graft.
Tying returns, and one which is always
in demand, is forage. and in every part
of the county all varieties of grasses can be
raised in the greatest abundance, every
natural condition being adapted to both
growth and succulent quality. Even if
there were no other agricultural resourc
to be credited to this county, it could
easily maintain it's place in the front
rank OF forage crop producers, crop SO
essential to successful dairying and
profitable stock-raisiny.
To specify any particular localities, or
to describe the yield OF any special cop
in an article of this character, would
necessitate going into details on so many
different characteristics OF soil, all of
which possess their peculiar excellence,
that it would become too lengthy for the
practical purpose intended. 1t is only
necessary to say that any farmer, who is
practical in his knowledge of soil re-
quirements, and has the industry and
perseverance which are always necessary
to achieve success, cannot find any sec.
ton OF country that will yield a more
certain competence in any department of
agriculture than right here in Chehalis
county.
For the information Of any farmer who
may contemplate settling in this section
OF country, it may be advisable to state
that there are now no available govern.
ment lands which may be entered upon
as homesteads, all Of the most desirable
government lands having been taken up.
For those who would like to acquire