The Pacific Northwest; Facts Relating to the History, Topography, Climate, Soil, Agriculture Etc., of Oregon and Washington Territory Also an Appendix Containing Suggestions to Emigrants, a Short Description of the Several Counties (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ...reservation. These Indians, numbering about 200, have about six sections of land, or over 4,200 acres, mainly timber lands. They do little farming, although they have reclaimed some of the marshes. On the Skagit river, and on the tide lands which form its delta, there are about 20,000 acres under cultivation, of which 12, OOO acres are tide lands. The soil of the tide lands is extremely rich, being composed of the alluvium deposited by the river. Mr. Conner, the largest proprietor, plants annually 600 acres in oats, barley and wheat--principally oats. The yield from oats is from 75 to 110 bushels per acre, or from 1 to 2 tons. The standard weight of a bushel of oats is 36 pounds, but the La Conner oats often weigh 45 pounds per bushel, and the average is probably 40 pounds. The farmers of the La Conner precinct had seven steam threshers at work in 1881, each machine costing about $2,000. It is estimated that these engines threshed during the season 6,840 tons, or over 342,000 bushels of grain--mainly oats. For oats they received $22 a ton from produce dealers on the field, without hauling or any other labor beside threshing and sack-filling. This price was nearly 1 cents per pound, or 40 cents per bushel. In addition to oats the La Conner region produces barley and wheat, for which, respectively, $23 and $25 per ton were paid on the farms. The yield of timothy hay and clover is said to be from 2 to 3 tons per acre, and this sells readily in British Columbia at $10 per ton. Potatoes grow well on the uplands, and from 300 to 500 bushels per acre is a common crop. Apples attain large size and are of excellent flavor. All the hardier vegetables thrive. Considerable live stock is raised, and feeding is only done for a few weeks after the 1st of January. At...