[Sidenote: Agricultural freights.]
The agricultural interest is not so large at present on the west side of
the Cascade Range, as the timber, coal and iron interests, but it is
growing, and will become exceedingly important. East of the Cascade
Mountains this will be the chief railroad interest in the beginning,
though ultimately it will be surpassed by the tonnage of the mines. I
have heretofore described the soils and vegetable products of West
Washington, but would say specially with regard to the belt we are
considering, that it is destined to be a fine agricultural region. The
bottom lands of Squak Creek, and of Snoqualmie River, including all its
branches and tributaries, are extremely fertile, and suited to produce
the largest crops of grass, oats, barley, hops, and roots of almost
every sort, besides most of the overground vegetables.
[Sidenote: Produce of Hop Ranch.]
At my request, Mr. Wilson, the manager, and one of the owners of the Hop
Ranch, furnished me the following written statement concerning that
estate, which, although larger than any other on the route, is not
richer than many other places of smaller size.