Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1849-03-03
From the Oregon Spectator.
OREGON.


portion of the country (,he portion between
the Cascade and Coast Mountains) possess
ed rich soil, with a surface generally level
and conveniently diversified with prairie aud
timber that the middle portion of the coun-
try (between the Cascade aud Blue Noun
tains) possessed considerable, though not
extraordinary advantages, and that the cas-
tern portion of the country between the
Blue aud Rocky Mountains) was of little or
no value. We had lived in New England,
aud IN the Western States, and had expect
ed TO find Oregon New Observation-Disclosures
ed IN the size and grandeur of its mountains,
trees,a pS streams aud increased also in the
extent OF It's valleys, and temperate in its
climate. Oregon as a whole, far, very far,
surpasses our expectations. The Villa
mette valley does not contain as much level
land as we expected; but its soil is as rich
and It's ullahle land much more extensive
than we had expected to find it, Nearly all
the American settlements in Oregon are con-
fined TO the Willamette Valley, and yet
much choice land between Puget Sound and
the head waters of this river remain unta-
ken. The degree of fertility of any soil
may be safely estimated from its products
The ordinary forest trees not only grow
here in gigantic proportlons--the black al
der in Oregon grows to stat~y tree fit for
saw logs, from two To three ieet in dame
ter. To doubt that such soil would richly
reward the labor of the husbandman, is
treason against the Architect of Nature
This valley Aas received favorable represen-
tations from nearly all who have seen it, aud
spoken OF written in relation to it. The
land in this valley for forty miles from its
foot, is generally rolling, and covered with
dense or scattering timber; above this dis
lance to the head of the valley, about one
hundred and forty miles, the prairie pre-
dominates. The lower portion of the val
ley possesses an extremely rich soil, and is
valuable for its timber, fish and water pow
er, but presents but little natural beauty.
The middle and upper portion of the valley
is strikingly beautiful and grand, and to its
great beauty and grandeur is added ready
and sensible preparation, by nature, for its
settlement and profitable occupation by the
weary traveller. The lower portion of this
valley is not without its prairies, among the
most important of which are the Tualatin
plains, These plains are in the form of a
half moon, containing at least 10000 acres
of prairie land, extremely rich and beauti-
ful, are in full view of three snow-capped
Ihe country about Puget Sound is OK.
tremely beautiful its soil is gravelly, aud
produces vegetables in great profession, but
is less suited to the growth Of wheat than
most parts of Oregon. The Cowitz coun-
try (between the Sound and the Colutnba)
is irterspersed with small rich prairies, pro-
ductive IN grains and vegetables, and, from
recent explorations, believed to be rich in
ta.tp l. hi If bn try
bur little settled.
The country about the mouth of the Co.
lumbia river, has increased its population
about one-nalt from the last immigration.
Clatsop plain, situate upon the Pacific, south
of the mouth of the Columbia river possess
es gravelIy soil, extremely prod uciive of
vegetables, but less productive of wheat.
These plains, and Others similar, lying north
of the river, as yet unsettled, have been
formed by sand thrown up 10y the waves Of
the ocean, and enriched by the decay of veg
citation. The soil of the timbered lands in
The vicinity of these plains is similar TO the
soil of this valley, and undoubtedly will
prove TO be richly productive of grains and
fruits as well as vegetables.
The Clamot, Rogues, and Umpqua val
leys Drivers emptying into the Pacific) are ms
ern road 10 Oregon crosses these valleys high
up, and, from what information we have
we believe that they are second to
10 portion of Oregon.
We regard the middle portion of Oregon
rs one Of the most valuable portions of the
world, probably the most valuable for pur-
poses of grazing. 1t is pasture .fetd, ex-
lending more than 400 miles north and SOUTH
and over one hundred miles east and west,
containing more than 100000 acres Of
and, almost everywhere covered with
hick carpet of nutritious grass. The eli
nate of the lower portion of Oregon is good,
lut the climate of its middle portion is bet
er. If the grazing lands Of New England,
New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio are val
liable, after the expenditure Of great labor
md expense TO make them so, then that
portion Of Oregon, supplied as it is with
Inmate more healthy and mild than any Of
hose States, and thickly spread by nature
with the richest grasses, is still more yaipa-
lie. If wool growing can be made more
Profitable where sheep must be fed in win
8, il can be made more profitable where
Hey keep healthy and fat throughout the
,ear upon the natural grasses Of ihe coun-
~, as they hare done and tCiH do ia The
middle portions Of Oregon. Wheat, corn,
,ats, potatoes, peas, garden vegetables, and
ruiis, produce well IN that portion of the
onntry Coal and lead ore have been die
ogered there, and water power for manu-
actaring purposes is abundant.
The middle aud eastern portion Of Ore (
on have been grossly inisrepreseBted IN the I
,tates. We are not aware tbat grains have /
cen grown on the eastern pOrti . OF Ore I
on, except al Fort Colyile aud vicinity
et. from the wild rye, fax and otbet p..-
ucts which abound in the valleys, we be-
eve than grains, vegetables and fruits may
e cultivated there with success. Eastern
oregon is also valuable for its grasses, and
re venture the assertion, believing that time
fiIl show Us truth, that it contains. more
nd better grazing lands than all New Eng
nd. II natures freaks and frowns appear