Polynesian., 1845-01-25
COM NJ d.
for The Polynesian.
:" "O 4 UyNf6THN.
Present Condition and Prospects of the
Oregon Territory as regards the Soil.
Productions, Inhabitants, Commercia,
and Political Interests, &C., &c.

CONNIE cClHf
and Political Interests, &C.. &c.
The geography of Oregon is so well un-
d~erstood, little need be said about if. A
reference to the common school geooranbv
will give all the information necessary to
any person who has not already made him
self acquainted with it.
The upper country has a fertile soil, es-
pccially on the tributaries Of the Columbia
River, producing Indian corn, wheat, oats,
barley, peas beans, potatoes, onions, cab
bages, ETC., in short all the vegetable.
which arc raised in the Northern Temperate
Zone.
The country more distant from the CO.
lumbia, and not bordering on a stream of
water is more sterile and produces grass on
~. The fires which pass over the country
annually, cfectually clear the hills and
plains of every kind of vegetable life. But
after the fall rains, they are quickly covered
with a luxuriant growth of green grass,
which is very nutritious for cattle these
are being raised in all parts of the territory,
both by the few white settlers and Indians
who inhabit the different parts of the coun-
try. Some Indians own from 900 to 1000
head of horses, part of which are broken in
for use. The remainder arc left to roam
over the plains and increase for the benefit
of their owners.
The land produces much better where ir-
rigation can be practiced by the cultivator.
The lower country embraces that portion
ofterritory which lies Immediately on the
Pacific, and extends inland to a range of
mountains a distance of about one hundred
miles, and is watered by three large rivers
known by the names Of Rogue, Umpqua,
and Walamet also by a number of small
rivers which empty into the above named
three, which are all ~navigable for shipping
a short distance from their mouths.
The soil is mostly clayey except on the
river flats, which are %alluvial, producing
wheat, oats, peas, Indian corn, potatoes, etc.
Wheat produces better than any other grain,
averaging from thirty to fifty bushels per
acre, and Of the finest quality in the world,
weighing from three to four lbs. more per
bushel than in any part of the United States.
Indian corn does not do we'll in consequence
9TH GOODNESS of the nights occasioncd by
the snow-capt mountains, which bound the
upper and lower country, whose sugar-loaf
peaks TO the number of seven may be seen
towering to the clouds, covered with pcrpet-
ual snow. They present to the eye Of the
traveller a delightful and pleasant contrast
between the surrounding country below,
where the thermometer rises in summer to
0 0 in the shade at midday, but falls, per-
haps to 10 during the night.
That portion of country which lies imme-
diately on the Columbia for a distance of
about 80 miles from its mouth, is mostly coy
cred with timber Of enormous size, chiefly
fir also oak, black-maple, cottonwood sc.
Shipping timber may be obtained of sufi-
cient size and quality to build all the ship
ping necessary for the commercial interest
of the Pacific many years to come.
The valley Of the Walamet is of the most
Importance at present, and therefore will re-
celve a more minute description than any
other portion of the country.
This valley is watered by the Walamct
river, which runs in n serpentine course, a
dlstande of several hundred miles, and emp
lies 'tselfby two principal mouths into the