The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1913-03-06

| tnose lands were adapted to. Ant
today the farmers on those Wiscon
sin lands, discarded as worthless b,
early settlers, are making big mon
ey raising potatoes and tomatoes
The reason for the failure in the
first instance was because the far
mer was trying to raise something
for which the soil was not suited
When in 1854 settlers moved tc
Iowa. the country was quite new
The people settled on the river bot.
tom and table lands having lef,
the flat lands and marshes, saying
they were worthless, and that they
would never be settled. Today, they
are among the most valuable OF
lands, because the people have
discovered that they are superior
for certain kinds of crops and they
adapt the crop to the nature of the
soil.
Mr.. Smith stated that today we
have the same conditions here We
have quite an acreage, acquired and
partly improved by settlers who la
ter found that the land was not
profitable for the products they
were attempting to market. Not a
few were contemplating moving TO
other sections. But the promoters
of the fruit industry said to them
selves: This will not do; we must
not permit this migration. This is
the best country on earth, and
there is no real reason why peo-
pie should leave" Can the taxpay-
ers afford to allow this trimming
down of assessable property? Shall
We sit idly by and permit it or shall
We arouse ourselves to the Oppor-
tunities that surround us, and there
by solve this problem which is of
such vital Importance? These were
some of the questions discussed by
the promoters of the association
In an entertaining and interesting
manner Mr.. Smith proceeded to re-
late how the plans were laid to es-
Ia blish an industry here that would
provide a market for the products
for which these lands were adapted
SO that their cultivation might be
made remunerative and the people
who had settled them be influenced
to remain with us. The result was
the formation of the Lynden Fruit
Growers Association.
Continuing Mr.. Smith said:
"The association now asks your
aid in bringing this section to the
front as the foremost berry grow
ing district in the west. 1t can be
done. but only with your hearty
cooperation and support. II it
were q question of an enemy in
vading our country and a call from
the government were issued fol-
volunteers, all would say: Here, l an
ready" They would make any sac
rifice to save their homes from the
enemy's Invasion. Well. friends. that
Is the point We have reached today.
All the difference is that the enc
my is not one in physical life. but
he is here just the same. Here in
our midst today in the form OF
over production in certain lines
and no market; a nOn-production in
other lines; In other words, such
products as can be condensed in
such a manner that they may be
shipped to distant markets, such as
berries, rhubarb, cherries. and 9TH
er products for the cannery.
Friends, it is not that We have
not got a good country that some
of our settlers complain of So
called hard times" In my opinion
the sun does not shine on a better
country or on better land than we
have right here in Whatcom Coun-
ty. where SO great a variety OF
products may be grown, but the
trouble lies at our own door. Nov,
friends, this afternoon We call for
volunteers who will help to make
Lynden and the surrounding country
the most prosperous on Puget
Sound. 1t can be done, but as
lave said, We need help. the help
Of every man and woman. and If
that is given, inside of three years
you will witness such a change in
our fair valley that you will hard
ly know the country. Will you do
ii? Cooperation is wonderful pow
er when conducted along the right
lines, and the right lines for farm
ers, in my opinion, is to guard a
gainst over-prOduction of any
kind. and to raise such products as
will stand shipment TO distant mar
kets If necessary, rather than 10
try to dispose of all products at
the home market. Now. friends.
let US get busy. Let us get into
the fruit business in earnest; let
us operate a cannery here on the
lines that have made the Puyallup
cannery such a marked success.
In relating his expediences with
the people among whom he has
been canvassing, Mr.. Smith said:
There is one thing that l wish
to impress especially upon the
minds of my hearers. In making the
canvass, l find quite number Of
people who say: We need the can
merry; it will be the very best thing
for this country that We could pos
sibly get. and as soon as it gets
to running all right, in year or
two, we will put out berries and
begin to help ourselves to better
living Well, what do you think
Of that? Suppose We all wait un-
til the cannery is a success, when
will that time come? Not this year,
nor ever. No, friends. drop those
old, dead thoughts, and put out the
berries this spring. and help to
make the cannery pay NOW in the
beginning. Let each one put out
from two to ten acres and we can
guarantee that the cannery will. be
a great success from the very start.
Now. remember. friends, we
have been a set of 'chumps' to allow
our neighbors to reap SO rich a
harvest for years right at our door