Walla Walla is the county of many waters.  It is the most western of the southeastern counties of the state, and is bounded north and west by the Snake and Columbia rivers.  It has 1,296 square miles and a population of about 30,000.  The elevation varies from 350 feet at the Columbia river to 2,500 feet along its eastern border.  It is a succession of plains and rolling hills, covered with bunch-grass, with some trees along the streams.  Its soil varies from quite sandy volcanic ash in the low lands near the Columbia to a [Page 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