The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-01-12
LIFE ON THE SAN
JUAN ISLANDS
"ONE CONTINUOUS ROUND OF
HEALTH AND PLEASURE,
A Seattle Mans Enthusiastic Des.
crfptton of Island Life In ssPros-
porous Washtngton''-ssIde Lo-
cations for Families of Small
Means.''

"E quote the following from an
~ article on the subject Of
Life on the Islands," written by
Joel Shoemaker, of Seattle, and pub
liished in prosperous Washington,
the elegant publication just issued by
the Seattle -Intelligencer, de-
voted to the resources, industries
and attractions of this state:
"The people of the islands are en-
gagged principally in agricul ture.
Every district was formerly covered
with forests. The timber has been
cut away for milling purposes and
the logged-off lands utilized for farms
and homes. Mixed farming has
proved the most valuable way to
handle the fertile soil of the islands.
The settlers have fine dairy ranches,
nice orchards and good gardens.
They cultivate fields of potatoes and
general crops, and harvest fine an
nual returns from acres devoted to
wheat, rye, oats and barley. Be-
cause OF the great productiveness,
the islands. are settled by independ-
ent farmers, who make good profits.
"Climate is one of the assets of
the island divisions. The land is sur
rounded by ocean water, and the sun
shine is abundant. It is claimed that
a five-year report OF weather condi-
tions gives an average of 255 fair days
to 10 cloudy ones In San Juan county.
The rainfall ranges about 25 inches
for the year, and vegetation grows
to perfection. Much of the la id is of
a limestone formation, and the water
is the best in the state. People liv-
ing on the islands do not complain of
sickness, and epidemics are unknown
in any of the towns and cities. No
one takes life seriously, and there is
no rushing after the dollars of COM
merce.
Fishing in an important industry
for the residents of the islands. The
waters are filed with salmon and
other varieties demanded at the mar
kets. Fish are caught and shipped
to Seattle Bellingham, Anacortes and
other places where canneries are
maintained.
The islands present ideal locations
for families of small meaEs. The
lands can be purchased unreasonable
prices. Everything necessary for
home building is near at hand. The
cost of water transportation is re-
low when compared to in
land freighting. All the Objectionable
of cities and transient class
es on the mainland are eliminated.
To dwell in peace and have. home
forever on the waters edge, where
plenty and comfort are assured,
there is no place Offering better in
than the islands. Il Most
Of the lands are owned by individuals,
who have secured title by homestead
or other means Of dealing direct with
the government. There is but little
speculation in island lands.
Hunting is a special feature Of a
home on the islands. The country
comprising those land groups is filed
with native game. It is the place
.or grouse and pheassnts, and larger
game abounds in the timber. The
farmers are in a position to protect
their natural surroundings, and they
INSIST on doing it In such strong terms
that city hunters do not disturb them
much, and the game is left to increase
snd fill the fields and woods. To the
1ome builder looking for such condi-
ions there is no place in the West
,oual to the islands. The game laws
# the state are liberal in making
provisions for protecting various an
mails and birds, and those provisions
ire generally observed throughout
he island counties.
Diversified farming offers excel
ent opportunities for settlers on the
contsnaed = fsge Foar