Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-01-29
AGRICULTURAL Possibilities OF
WESTERN Washington.
So nuCh Attention is Given to Lum.
bering That Few Realize the Won.
derful prOduCtiveneSS of the Soil.
Rich Soil and Favorable Climatic
Conditions.

Western Washington, and especially
Chehal!s county, was provided bv nature
with crop of timber that will require
many years to harvest, even with the
wasteful methods that so far obtain. Yet,
the soil OF this region is capable OF yield.
ing great results in a farming way after
the timber is removed. Present logging
operations in Chehalis county probably
remove the timber from section of land
dailv, eight acres out of ten OF which
comprise all the elements necessary for
the most profitable kird of stock raising,
dairying and the raising OF fruits and
root crops.
The Seattle ePost.Intelligencer deserves
credit for the campaign for the cultiva-
ton OF logged-of lands that it has been
carrying on for some time. and its articles
have received widespread attention.
One OF them is reproduced below, which
should be read carefully and given wide
circulation:
1.-The campaign for converting the
logged off lands into profitable farms has
developed a new industry. One of the
enterprising residents OF Everson has
purchased donkey engine and engaged
in the work OF pulling stumps and clear
ing land for others. He has demonstrated
that the expense of preparing land for
cultivation is not more than one. half
that required in former days. The engine
saves labor and money and completes
the work in satisfactory manner. 1t
represents new idea in modern agricu-
ture which will result profitably to every
community where logged. off lands are to
be cleaied.
"Logged.of lands Of Western Washing
ton are too valuable to remain in an un.
productive condition. Too many families
are seeking homes for those acres TO
lie in the native forest and be of no
value to the owners or to the state. The
tide Of emigration is toward the Pacific
North west. All obstac'es must be over.
come to furnish people with fields and
farms from which to harvest the necessi-
ties OF life. Cities aud towns are grow
ing at wonderful pace, and the in
habitants demand food that comes from
the farm. The time has come when men
Of inventive brains are in demand, even
in the woodlands o: Puget Sound.
"Contracts for clearing lands are being
taken at prices ranging from $50 to $40
an re. In Whatcom county several
acres have been cleared by numbering
crews, having the use of donkey engines,
for less. Under the old plans of clearing
lands the work would require an entire
year and necessitate an expenditure OF
500 or more for every acre. In one
instance, in Whatcom county, a donkey
engine and crew prepared a tract OF
twelve acres for the plow in eight days,
at an expense Of $27.75 an acre. Similar
reports come from other sections show
ing that there is no great expense in
getting home on the logged-off lands.
"a ten-scre farm carved from the
forest will give large family all the
necessaries and many Of the luxuries of
life. The soil is fertile and produces
abundant crops OF almost every tree,
plant and vine. The climate makes farm.
ing and. gardening profitable at all sea.
sons. The grasses grow every month
and make ideal pasture for dairy cows.
There are no severe summers or winters
to interfere with poultry and other in
dustries adapted tointensive soil culture.
Under such conditions it may be safely
predicted that the campaign for homes
on the logged. off lands has opened in
earnest. Its future is filled with bright
anticipations. There are no records OF
failures and plenty Of evidence OF sue