54 WILD FLOWERS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



canning factories arc situated here, and the finest canned 

 salmon used in this country comes from Astoria. 



The captain informed us our stop at Astoria would last for 

 several hours, as the freight from this point was very heavy. 

 The little town is built on the side of a hill, and commands 

 a fine view of the river and surrounding country. 



We walked to the top of the principal street to see what 

 once bore the dignified name of " fort," and was told that " Right 

 here on this spot John Jacob Astor built his forf and made his 

 first trade for furs with the Indians." On the very top of the 

 mound grew this fine salmon blossom, and a few feet away a bed 

 of tall pink grass, the finest I had ever seen. It waved and 

 nodded in the warm breeze, as if inviting me to select its finest 

 bunch to keep company with the pretty white blossoms that 

 had been its neighbors, and from whom it was loth to part 

 company. 



Our stay at Astoria was quite long enough to give me time 

 for making my sketch, and by the time the "All aboard" was 

 called we were ready for the good dinner that was waiting for 

 us. How handsome the cabin looked with its two long tables, 

 every seat filled, and all seemingly bright and happy. The 

 brides had been ashore and gathered wild flowers, which were 

 artistically arranged in their belts. It was a pretty sight, and to 

 be witnessed but once on that trip. At three o'clock we crossed 

 the bar, and I, like the majority of the passengers, took my 

 berth, not to leave it again until the Golden Gate was reached, 

 and San Francisco was in sight. 



