Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-02-19
ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
OTTO l.. JOHN WRITES INTERESTING
LETTER.
Describes the Great Cities of Washington,
the Climate, the Crops, and Conditions
OF Gaining Livelihood, Giving
Some Wholesome Advice.
Tacoma. Wash. Feb. Is. 'OS.


Dear Editor:
| 1t might be of interest to my old
| friends in and about DEBORAH to know
that | am still in existence. 1t will
soon be three years since | left dear
old Iowa and came to the land where
milk and honey flows, which at least
is believed by many eastern people
who are tempted by the boosters
literature which is sent all over the
east, to see only the good side of the
question. There is no mistake Wash
ington has many advantages and in
many ways deserves glorification, yet
scores of people have been greatly
deceived and greatly disappointed in
their expectations. | advise any per-
son who owns an Iowa farm never to
sell out and come to Washington to
farm.
L will not attempt to give any de-
tails of the good and bad sides of this
state but wish to state few facts
obouO OAAGpihS SOhuioiOhS.
The evergreen state is a state of
variety in climate as we'll as plant
life, elevation, industries, people,
transportation, SOIL farming and
various other ways. The difference
in climate is brought about mostly by
altitude. but also to some extent by
ocean currents and high mountains
which stop the storm and rain from
passing over.
The Cascades, which is the highest
range, divides the state into two grand
divisions commonly known as the east
and the west side. The east is mostly
a much rolling prairie and at one
time was known as the Great Sage
Brush Desert of the North west, then
supposed to be good for grazing only,
but long since has been proven a great
wheat growing country. Last season
nearly forty-five million bushels of
No. / wheat was grown on this vast
wheat belt. The soil mostly of vol
canic ash formation and hardpan sub
soil and for that reason is we'll adapt
ed to hold moisture through the long
dry summer months large rancher
| c rancher'' for farmer in Washington
told me that few years ago he raised
| twenty bushels of wheat per acre
without drop of rain from the time
of seeding until harvest.
Spokane is the east side metropolis.
A fast growing city of the most
modern type, claiming now a popula-
tion of 100 900 and is becoming a great
| railroad center. Has now with the
g., NJ. q ST. p five trans continental
steam roads entering it and seven in.
ter-urban electric roads which is a
record for western city. So many
electric railways is the result of cheap
power which is made possible by the
beautiful falls of the Spokane river
which runs through the center of the
city.
The climate all through this side
varies but little; the winter being
medium cold. touching the zero mark
about once every winter. Have on an
average about six weeks sleighing
each year The summers are general
~ very dry but not unusually warm,
seldom reaching 30 degrees.
The Yakima and Wenatchee valleys
which are followed by the Northern
Pacific and Great Northern, respect
lively, after crossing the Columbia
river and climbing the Cascades, are
both great fruit-growing countries.
and in both fruit can only be raised
successfully by irrigation.
Will now take a jump across the
high mountains and land on Puget
Sound, the great inland ocean water
way. The country for miles surround