The conditions for successful fruit growing are abundant, and peculiarly
adapted to produce excellence in quality and quantity in nearly all
parts of the state, but some localities have better conditions
for some particular fruits than others, e. g., western Washington
excels in the raising of raspberries and other small fruits of
that sort, its climate and soils being suited to the production
of large berries and heavy yields.
Certain localities in eastern Washington excel in the yield of
orchard fruits, chiefly on irrigated lands. Owing to the abundant
sunshine, the fruits of eastern Washington are more highly colored
than those of other sections of the state.
Taking the state as a whole, horticulture is rapidly assuming vast
importance. Thousands of acres are yearly being added to the area
of orchards, and remarkable cash returns are being realized from
the older plantings now in full bearing.
This is true of all the common orchard fruits, apples, pears, peaches,
plums, cherries, etc.
In western Washington large plantings of the small fruits are growing
in favor, some of the new fruits receiving especial attention. One
plantation of thirty acres is devoted exclusively to Burbank's
phenomenal berry.
Grapes are being grown on both sides of the mountains, the eastern
side, however, giving this fruit much more attention. Cranberries
are being produced in quantities on some of the bog lands near
the sea coast.
Nuts have been planted on both sides of the mountains in an experimental
way, and it has been found that walnuts, chestnuts, and filberts are
profitable. In the southeastern section of the state, nut growing
bids fair to develop into a considerable industry.
[Illustration: Plate No. 19.--Royal Anne Cherry Tree, Owned by
J. H. Rogers, Lexington, Cowlitz County. Circumference of this
Tree Below First Limb, 72-3 Feet. Yield in 1907, 1,500 pounds.]
[Illustration: Plate No. 20.--Dairy Herd on Ranch of T. D. Dungan,
Kelso, Cowlitz County.]
[Illustration: Plate No. 21.--Douglas County Fruit.]
[Illustration: Plate No. 22.--Douglas County Wheat at Tram Waiting
Shipment on Columbia River Boats.]