Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1913-02-21
sEMl-ANNUAL REVIEW OF WASH
INGToN, IDAHO AND OREGON
STATES, AND ALASKA.
TELLS OF FARMS, FORESTS AND MINES
Washington Led In Wheat Production
and Idaho in BarIey--Mlning Pro-
duction Nearly DoubIes--Rall-
roads Increase Mileage.

lished by R. G. Dun & Co., just issued,
for the Pacific northwest, shows that
the year 1912 was marked by advances
In production in all lines, compared
with 1911.
Harvest conditions were generally
favorable" says the Review comment
ing upon the business conditions in
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
AN immense crop was secured with
out appreciable loss. Owing to heavy
crops elsewhere, serious difficulty has
been encountered in obtaining a mar
ket for all the products at remuner-
alive prices. Late fruits and forage
crops have suffered especially in this
regard. In some districts farmers have
delayed selling with a consequent de-
preston of local business activity.
The revival of the lumber business and
successful season in fisheries, COM
bined with the excellent harvest to
create a year of generally diffused
prosperity"
In the production of wheat, Wash
ington led the other states and raised
a million bushels more of the grain
than in the previous year. The figures
for 1912 were: Washington, 100000
Oregon, 22,030,000; Idaho, II, 100000,
and for 1911 the figures were: Wash
ington, 39,000,000; Oregon, 100000
Idaho, 100000.
Idaho was first in the production of
barley with 100000 bushels last year,
against 4,500,00 in 1911.
Out of total production of 41,,SS2,-
900 bushels of oats in the same terri
tory harvested last year, this state
produced 100000, against 100000
in 1911. Oregon was second with 49,
100000 bushels last year.
Heavy Fruit Crop.
OF the fruit crop the report says:
Fruit crop for 1912 throughout the
northwest was the heaviest in its his
tory. Prunes and pears were general
ly short crop, but of good quality.
All other fruits, both large and small.
were plentiful in qunatity and of ex-
cellent quality"
In 1912 the value of the fruit pro-
duced in Washington was nearly dou-
BILE that of 1911, the figures for last
year being $10,660,0O0 against $685.
900 for the previous. year. Oregon pro-
duced $5,576,000 worth,of fruit in 1911
and $6,5S4,000 in 1912, while Idaho in
creased its production from $2,57S, 900
to $4,7S5,e0O
The report says of the lumber in
dustry:
For several years prior to the
spring of 1912 conditions were alto
gether unsatisfactory, both as to de-
mand and prices, 1911 having been the
poorest year since 1908. Improvement
began early in 1912, when an increase
in demand was noted, which grew
steadily during the spring and summer
months.
Important factors, which have i'm
proved the demand, have been the
heavy purchases of lumber for fruit
boxes and renewed buying from the
prairie states, coupled with reopening
of the export market and the Coast
wise trade to California.
Rail shipments from Washington
are reported aggregating 100000 car.
placed at 1,000,000,000 feet.
Cargo shipments for Oregon amount
to 437, 100000 feet.
1.-THE allied interests of logging and
sash and door manufacturing partici
pated in the revival.
Railroad construction in the north
west continues large source of ex
penditures. In 1910, 1901 miles Of
new track were constructed; in 1911
10S.0S miles, and in 1912, 1878 miles
besides seven miles reconstructed
Undertakings actually in hand in the
three states call for an expenditure o.
$22,500,000 and the construction of 18S
miles of new track. In addition there
are projects under consideration OF
which figures are not fully prepared
which will bring the aggregate con
struction for 1913 up to 22O miles O.
new and reconstructed track, and ap
proximately cost $27000,000.
"The principal mining districts ar,
the Occur d'Alenes, the Republic CAM
In Ferry county, Wash, the Chewelal
camp in Stevens county, Wash, ant
Baker and Josephine counties in Ore
gon. Prior to 1912 the industry wa
dormant, due largely to the unsatis
factory price of lead, silver and COP
per- With the opening of the yea
prices advanced materially and man.
new companies have entered the fiel'
as producers and old ventures hav
taken on new life.
During the year Just closed, mine
in eastern Washington and Idaho rt
porting, show a production for 1912 Q
s5,SS9,612, as against sS,S00,00O. durin
the preceding year."