of the county.

[Illustration: Plate No. 53.--An Okanogan County Orchard in Bloom.]

[Illustration: Plate No. 54.--A View of the Country Along the Okanogan
River in the Vicinity of the Okanogan Irrigation Project.]

[Page 61]
JEFFERSON COUNTY

Jefferson county is the second county south of the entrance of
Puget sound, stretching from the Pacific ocean eastward over the
peaks of the Olympic mountains to Hood's canal, and turning north
gets a long waterfront also on Puget sound, and taps the Straits
of Fuca. It has a population of 11,000 people and 2,000 square
miles of territory.

RESOURCES.

The resources of this county are largely undeveloped, and yet it
is one of the oldest settled counties in the state. Originally its
entire area, barring a few small patches, was heavily timbered,
and it is estimated that the county still has twenty billion feet of
standing timber. Its soil is remarkably fertile, and the products
of its farms have long been famous.

The Olympic mountains contain veins of precious metals, iron and
manganese, none of which have as yet been thoroughly developed.

Fishing for salmon, sardines, shrimps, clams and crabs is a very
important industry.

SOILS, CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS.

The soils of the county are largely sedimentary, having been washed
down from the mountains for ages, assisted by the decomposition of
vegetable matter accumulated through centuries. In the valleys, where
most of the farming is being done, these soils produce remarkable
crops under the influence of the charming climate the county affords.

The rainfall in the eastern part of the county is moderate, but
ample for all purposes; the average rainfall is about 20 inches.
The temperature rarely exceeds 80 degrees in summer, while the
winter months average about 45 degrees.

Such soils and such climatic conditions combine to force wealth
upon every industrious tiller of the soil. Clover yields from four
to six tons per acre.

Oats and vetches for ensilage purposes yield five to seven tons
per acre. Fifty to seventy-five tons of cabbage or mangles per
acre are not uncommon, and onions and potatoes produce from six
to ten tons. The fruit trees, particularly cherries, apples, and
pears, produce wonderful crops. Cattle can graze ten months in the
year or more, and the products of the dairies of Jefferson county
cannot be excelled.

Because of the light rainfall and moderate weather, this county is
admirably suited to