Mr. Chas. Riddle, formerly of Irchester, and now of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, sends to the Editor of the “Rushden Echo” a very interesting account of a recent visit to the State of Washington, U.S.A., from which we take the following:-

We have just had a most interesting tour through the State of Washington, U.S.A. We started by motor on Tuesday, July 12^th, at 7.30a.m., with a journey of 196 miles in front of us. Osoyoos was our first place of call. Here we had to make acquaintance with the Customs Office. Then another run on to Oroville, U.S.A., where we had to call at the Customs Office, and also the Immigration Office. Having satisfied the officials there we start on our journey via Omak, Okanogan, Pateros, and Chelan, our destination being Wenatchee, and I can assure you it is a most wonderful journey along y the Canadian River. The surrounding country and the mountains for the most part are bare, arid, and desolate. It gives, perhaps, the impression of bigness more than anything else. Of course, we passed some fine orchards, viz., at Omak, and we also passed some grain fields, but not like those in your district.

At one place we saw them cutting wheat and the machine looked to be about 12 feet wide, being propelled by six fine horses. Attached to the machine was an elevator, and alongside was a wagon on which the grain was loaded from the machine, being taken to another part of the field, where it was thrashed. At other places we saw them gathering hay, also by machine, but for most part it looked barren; yet whenever there was a likely spot someone had settled and had made for themselves a home, but to me it looked a very lonely life, though we always have to bear in mind that this is a land of cars.

Our next place of call was Okanogan, where we stopped for lunch and to let the engine cool, having travelled over 90 miles. Then we speed ahead until we come to Chelan. Here we again refresh ourselves, having accomplished 145 miles. We now speed on to our destination, Wenatchee, but on our way we have to descend as very steep grade, which is done by a zig-zag course. On the top and bottom we saw this notice: “This road is not fool proof.”  And we found both in descent and ascent that it required great care in navigating it.

Next we came to a very beautiful valley intersected by orchards and reached Wenatchee at 6.45p.m., the journey of 196 miles being accomplished without a mishap. The party numbered 13, and .... .... there are some fine buildings, hotels, stores, garages, etc. Motor traffic is very heavy, giving one the impression of a very busy place.

The object of our visit is to gather information as to their system of fruit growing. Their orchards are ten years older than those at Penticton. We had as our guide Mr. H. Hunter, district horticulturalist. After a good night’s rest we start on a tour of several orchards at about 9a.m., Mr. P. S. Darlington, the Wenatchee district horticulturalist, taking us in charge. Before visiting any orchards we climbed to the top of a high bluff from where the whole district, 7,000 acres, could be seen spread in a panorama at our feet. During the day we went through a number of orchards, gathering information as to fertilizing, etc. After dinner we were taken in hand by Mr. Larson, who is in charge of soil investigation in Chelan County.

On Thursday we had another tour of orchards. The district around us was composed of some 35,000 acres of orchards, and we were informed that they hope to export 15,000 car loads of fruit, each car carrying 800 to 1,000 boxes.

Our tour of inspection having come to an end, we start on our return journey. Arriving at Chelan, we put up at a very fine hotel at the end of Lake Chelan. Here from choice we have our sleeping quarters in a tent and out meals at the hotel. At 9a.m. we take one of the finest boats it has been my fortune to embark upon, and now for a trip on this lovely lake—a distance of 50 miles through the heart of the Cascade Ranges. As we near the end we pass many glaciers. This is rightly called “The Land of Beautiful Water.” We dine at the Stehekin Hotel. Then a motor run to the Rainbow Falls, where the waters rush down from a height of 200 feet.

Now we make our journey down the beautiful lake. On our return journey we called at one little hamlet, then on again. Soon we find the boat is altering her course, and we are told the captain has had a signal by flag. When we ask the reason for the call we are told the people wanted to know the time! Not bad, was it, stopping a high flyer to ask the time? But the real reason was that one of the dwellers there was removing a flag, and the alert captain took it for a signal. The captain told me he had seen four mountain goats the day previous, but it was not our luck. Sometimes in the winter, when they come down near the coast, he had counted 50 head of goats.

On the Saturday we make our return journey home, and of course, we have again to pass the Customs. We arrive home about 7pm, our register showing we had run altogether 486 miles.

You will be interested to know that one day at Wenatchee the thermometer registered 122, at another 128 in the sun, and about 100 in the shade It was cooler at Chelan. Of course the district we visited is in the dry belt similar to Penticton. The system of irrigation is adopted, and they have a good supply of water. From reports we learn the apple crop is very good through the Western district. Quite a number of growers are busy thinning, the object of this being to obtain a larger apple. The peach crop, too, is good, also apricots, prunes, and pears.