Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-09-26

LIT. w III l.udu anu lau ~. dTTlVeu III tHlS
country in the fall Of 1886. The Doc
tor settled among the Kayns near Fort
Walla Walla, and myself at this place,
where we have ever since continued
to dwell. Our duties have called US
to travel more or less every year to
visit the distant bands and tribes, as
also to pack our supplies. 1 have ira
versed this middle region in seventeen
different routes, from 60 to 800 miles.
Over many of the routesI have passed
probably in every month of the year,
have marked the progress ofyegetation
from its earliest shooting forth; the
effects of this climate upon the animal
constitution, the rapidity with which
exhausted poor. animals regain their
flesh and activity when turned upon
the plains, have kept tables under some
of these heads as also meteorological
table for several years. 9
Let me here observe that my views
Of the country have been materially
changed by more accurate acquaint-
ance Of ite true nature. Ionce thought
the valleys only susceptible of habita-
ton, considering the plains too dry for
cultivation. But am now prepared
Ito say this is not the case. The plains
suffer far less from drought than the
valleys, on account of the reflection Of
heat from the surrounding hills. The
country. however, is no where peculiar
Ily subject to drought as once thought.
My place is in one of the deepest val
Ileys, and consequently most exposed
to the reflection from the high bluffs
around, rising 1000 and 5000 feet, but
my farm, though prepared for irriga-
ton, has not been for the last four years.
find the ground becoming more moist
by cultivation. Three years ago
raised GOO bushels Of shelled corn from
Elk acres, and good crops Of wheat on
the same piece the two following years,
no irrigation. Eight years ago ] raised
1900 bushels of potatoes from one acre
and half, measuring some of the bags
in which they were brought to the Gel
lars, and so judging Of the whole
amount gave every eleventh bag
for digging and fetching, and kept a
strict account of what every person
brought, so that / was able to make a
pretty accurate estimate Of the whole
amount. My potatoes and corn are
always planted in drills.
Every kind Of grain and vegetable
which | have yet tried or seen tried in
this Upper country grows well. Wheat
is sown in the fall and harvested in
June at this place, at DR.. Whitman's
4 IN JAY, being more open country
Corn planted in April and ripe in July,
peas same. 1868 efI
Extent of Country.
The southern boundary Of Oregon
Territory is the 42d degree of North
Latitude. The northern boundary is
not yet settled, both England and the
United States claim North Of the Co.
lumbia River to latitude 40 NORTH
But this vast fertile region well tim
bercd upon the mountains and river
sources, and well ws.ered, besides hav-
ing the fine Harbor above named, Pu-
GETS Sound, must ever remain the most
important portion Of Oregon especially
on account of this harbor, which will
naturally control these seas and conse-
ouently the country, should the British
Flag finally exclusively wave over its
placid waters, it will be to the rest of
Oregon as Quebec is to Canada or Glib
raI;ar to the Mediterranean. Vancou-
ver's Island is doubtless another reason
why Great Britain wiske TO make the
Columbia river the northern boundary.
The line of 40 passes little north Of
the southern half of the Island. The
whole Island contains a territory con-
siderably larger than England and
Scotland, produces every kind OF grain
and vegetable well, and has climate
very similar to our Middle and South
ern States. Whatever nation possesses
this Island or the south portion OF it
with its neighboring harbor. Pugeps
Sound, possesses nearly all Of nation
al consideration which pertains to Ore
gon and will consequently control it
But if this Island or this portion Of il
with its har5or add their ever control
ling influence to the undivided interests
Of Oregon, this young colony but yes
terday begun, and their country whose
existence was but yesterday disputed,
will at no distant day, under the soften
ing life-giving influence of civilization
and our Holy Religion, take its place
among the wcslthiest, haPpiest, best
nations Of the Earth.