Review of Science and Industry, 



A MONTH'LY RECORD OF PROGRESS IN 



SCIENCE, MECHANIC ARTS AND LITERATURE. 



VOL VIII. NOVEMBER, 1884. NO. 7. 



GEOGRAPHY. 



THE TERRITORY OF WASHINGTON. 



R. J. MC CARTY. 



The Cascade Mountains running nearly parallel to the Pacific Coast and 

 about 100 miles from it, divide the Territory into two parts. The eastern moiety, 

 known as "Eastern Washington," is, generally speaking, a high, rolling prairie, 

 through which winds the great Columbia and Snake Rivers, and which, from their 

 tortuous courses and their many branches of running water, make it an exceed- 

 ingly well watered region, excellently adapted to pastoral purposes. The soil 

 is formed from the decomposition of volcanic deposits m situ, and is deep, rich, 

 and easily pulverized. The smaller cereals can be produced in great abundance, 

 but corn will not thrive, owing to the dry summer and cool nights; however, 

 since this valuable cereal has often shown a willingness to adapt itself to uncon- 

 genial conditions elsewhere, it may yet become sufficiently acclimated by exper- 

 iment. An effort is now being made in this direction, which, if successful, will 

 greatly enhance the agricultural importance of the Territory. 



The one thing which the Territory of Washington needs is a railroad line from 

 Puget Sound across the Cascade Range in the direction of Walla Walla, — and, 

 though the people have all along realized this, though they have planned, strug- 

 gled, and almost wept for it, they have so far been defeated by the policy of the 

 Northern Pacific Railroad Co. 



Congress, by Act of July 2, 1864, and subsequent acts amendatory, author- 



VIII— 23 



