The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-05-01
VOLUME XIV. No. 9.

based upon actual meritorious
and commendable accomplish
ments. He who does not blow his own
horn will find no one else blowing it
for him. This is particularly true of
business institutions, more than of
individuals. The Editors of The Ranch
in recounting it's deeds and accom-
plishments during the past year of ac-
tivity, have become a little pulled up
over themselves and cannot forego this
opportunity to give the readers of the
paper summary of few of the
things which have been effected for
their benefit. We reproduce on this
page two letters, both from prominent
sources, which relate more clearly than
in any other way what The Ranch is
doing in two instances for thousands
of farmers throughout the Pacific
Northwest.
One letter, from the Governor of the
State of Washington, shows to what
extent and with what success The
Ranch has pushed it's campaign for the
clearing of the logged-off lands of the
West Slope In reviewing this work
we must go back to the Snohomish
County edition, in which we first is
sued forth with that story under the
caption of "The Snohomish County
Idea" We cannot say that this sub
ject was original with us. 1t was in
spired by Elmer E. Johnson, Secre-
tary of the Everett Chamber of Com
merce, to whom we gave full credit at
that time. Mr.. Johnson has been an
enterprising and untiring worker in
bringing this campaign to an issue and
has accomplished very effective and
successful work. The Ranch has fur
nished the publicity medium, and by
cooperating with him, it has been sue
cessful in bringing out many new and
splendid ideas. "The Snohomish Coun-
ty Idea," which involved a plan for
the cooperative clearing of the lands
of that county, and also the purpose
of ultimately enlisting Federal aid in
the work, was the first noteworthy
plan which we published. Following
close on the heels of this, we came
forth with the plan proposed by w. S.
Varnum, one of our readers and con-
tributors, which agitated the clearing
of the logged-off lands by the respect
i've counties, the work to be accom-
plished by modern land clearing outfits
and to be paid for by land clearing GER
tificates issued by the counties and Sc
cured by the various parcels of land
which were thus cleared. Other not
able plans were also evolved, among
which was the "Skagit County Idea"
and the "Bellingham Idea We have
conducted a regular department telling
what these lands were good for, show
ing the most practical methods of
clearing them, the expense involved
and many other interesting and use.
full details These various ideas have
all been placed on file and sifted down
by those who are interested in work
ing out this campaign, and it is now
proposed to call convention about the
first of July, of the thousands of peo-
pie who are interested in this subject,
for the purpose of discussing these
plans and deciding upon the most prac
teal and advisable action. Federal
aid has been enlisted and the recent
letter to the Editor from Professor
w. ]. Spillman, of the Agricultural
Department, tells us how experts will
be sent to the coast during the sum-
,,oor .oaothr IN oiUa the matter a thor