out 100 miles east and west and 24 miles north and
south. Its area is 1,800 square miles, with a population of about
35,000.

It is a county of great diversities in climate, topography and
resources. The Skagit river and its branches drain nearly the entire
county from the mountains to the saltwater. Its deltas are great
flat fields of wonderful fertility. Its valleys also, where cleared
of forests, are very rich alluvial lands. Its upper lands carry
a great burden of forests and are full of hidden treasures.

RESOURCES.

The resources of the county are its forests and minerals, its
agricultural products, and fishes. Its great cereal crop is of
oats; hops, fruits, hay and barley follow in the order named in
importance, while the products of the dairy are rapidly multiplying.
Its minerals include the precious metals, iron, lead, coal, marble,
limestone, granite, sandstone, etc.

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TRANSPORTATION.

Aside from its water transportation, the Great Northern and the
Northern Pacific railways cross its westerly end and send a branch
line through the valley of the Skagit river well up towards the
mountains and to the salt water at Anacortes. And other roads are
building, while there are 168 miles of modern graveled wagon roads.
The facilities for getting about are excellent.

PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS.

MT. VERNON is the county seat, with about 4,000 people. It is on
the Great Northern railway, on the navigable Skagit river, and is
a city of much commercial importance to the agricultural district
around it. The soil in the vicinity is renowned for its great fertility
and astonishing crops of oats, hay and grass. Creameries and a
milk-condensing plant are supported profitably to all concerned.

ANACORTES is the chief town of the county, on the salt water. It
has about 6,000 people, and is a center of lumbering and fishing.
Factories for drying, salting, and canning salmon, halibut, and
cod are increasing industries. There is also a fertilizing plant
and a plant producing charcoal and the by-products of combustion,
wood alcohol, turpentine, etc.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, on both the Northern Pacific and Great Northern
railways, has a population of 4,000, engaged in lumber industries,
fruit, and vegetables, canning, dairying and gardening. It has a
monthly payroll of $125,000.

BURLINGTON, on the Great Northern railway, has 1,800 people, and
factories for making various wood products, concrete blocks, lumber,
shingle