87]
heavier clay loam in the eastern parts. In common with much of
eastern Washington, these lands increase in fertility with successive
cultivations. The climate is mild, healthful and vigorous.

[Illustration: Plate No. 81.--Farm Scene Near Colville, Stevens
County.]

[Illustration: Plate No. 82.--View of Calispell Valley and Pend
d'Oreille River, Stevens County.]

RESOURCES.

Walla Walla county is essentially agricultural. Its chief resource
is its soil fertility. This is such that few farmers can be found
who have not bank accounts.

PRODUCTS.

The annual production of wheat in Walla Walla county is about 5,000,000
bushels. Barley is also a profitable crop. Oats and some corn are
also raised. Large crops of alfalfa hay are annually marketed,
chiefly from irrigated lands. Fruit of all kinds is abundant. There
are 2,500 acres devoted to orchards. Market gardening is an important
and growing industry.

TRANSPORTATION.

There are 310 miles of railroads in this county, both the Northern
Pacific and Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company railroads competing
for the traffic. In addition to the railroads, steamboats are plying
the rivers around the edge of the county, giving additional facilities
for transportation.

PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS.

WALLA WALLA, the county seat, has a population of about 22,000 and
is the commercial center for the southeastern part of the state.
Its streets are paved. The city owns its own system of water, at
a cost of $600,000. It is lighted with electricity and gas, has
large banks and business houses, U. S. land office, U. S. courts,
U. S. cavalry post, an Odd Fellows' home, and a Home for Widows
and Orphans. There are manufacturing industries employing 400 men,
turning out $2,000,000 of productions annually. An electric system
of street cars traverses the streets and is projected into several
other near-by towns.

WAITSBURG is an important agricultural town of about 1,600 people,
in the western part of the county, having both railroad systems,
and ships great quantities of grain. It has large flouring mills,
warehouses, fine schools and churches, and is a prosperous, thriving
town.

A large number of shipping points on both systems of railroads are
growing commercial centers.

WHATCOM COUNTY

Whatcom county lies on the boundary of British Columbia, stretching
from the Straits of Georgia to the peaks of the Cascade mountains--24
miles wide and 100 miles long, The easte