Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-06-19
MltsGGllaneolts.
MnwAUkIE, OREGON, April II, 1851.
Letter from Oregon.

MILwAUKIE, OREGON, April IL, 1851.
Mr.. EDITOR During the last six months l
have received various communications from my
friends in New England, interrogating me upon
the characteristics, soil, climate, &C.. of this
Territory and to save time, as well as to give
more general information to those who think of
emigrating to the Pacific coast, choose to an
swer these inquiries through the medium of your
paper.
People are constantly crowding our ports from
New England and various other States, who
have come here with an eye to the bright side of
the picture altogether, without moments refec.
ton upon the disadvantages incident to new
country and the consequence of this is, that
when the facts are known to them, the actual
merits of the country are estimated as much
below their true value as their former notions
were above them; and such persons almost in
variable become dsheartened on their arrival
here and wish themselves at home, when in fact
the country affords to the careful observer every
inducement, perhaps, that can be reasonably
expected from any new territory. And to avoid
disappointments Of this character let us look at
both sides of the picture. First, will notice
the Climate (which is generally healthy, the
principal prevailing diseases being of bilious
character, such as chills and intermittent fevers,
which follow in cases of continued exposure to
the morning and evening air. Aside from these
the people are generally healthy. From the
5th of July, 1850, to the 10th Of November, we
had no rain at all in the valleys of the Columbia
and Willamette Rivers. From November 10th
to December 22d, there was very little frostat
least the leaves Of the potatoes were not entirely
killed. During this time it trained on an aver
age, about one-fourth of the time. December
oath the first Snow fell--about three inches deep.
December 26th the ground was frozen l-2
inches the thermometer at 20e. Since that
time there has been no snow or frost of any
amount 1t has rained nearly three -ffths of the
time The wind, since the 10th of November,
has been from the South, with the exception of
from December 23d to the 9th, during which
period it was from the Northwest. In summer
the course of the winds is from the North, and
in winter from the South. This accounts for the
mild climate of Oregon in winter, and the cool
nights in summer. Nearly the same amount of
wearing apparel is needed IN summer as in win
ter. The temperature Of the air at night for
eleven months in the year is moi above co. and
rarely below $50. The nights in winter are
usually foggy, rendering it impracticable at
times for boats to ply on the rivers.
The soil in general is good. have spen
some three weeks time in inspecting the settled
portions of the Willamette valley, which 1 fint
composed of various soils. From the mouth o
the river to this place, thirty miles, the land ii
: mostly covered with fir and cottonwood, balm
of Glead.) The latter grows upon the bank
: of the river where the earth is sandy. From ont
J to two miles back from the river the land j
gravelly in many places, and the growth of tim
Der comparatively small The country become
: more hilly as you proceed back from the river un
l. til you reach the coast range of mountains on tn
west, and the Cascades on the east. The hig
u lands are poor, and are covered with a ligE
growth of fir timber and with .finfen7n, wee
that much resembles the brake in the pasture
of Vermont. In the timbered districts the lov
lauds are productive: the soil is of clayey ma
ture, and the timber an immense growth Of hen
lock, fir and cedar. These valleys are traverse
4 by fine running streams of pure water, and COY
-. with wild evergreen grasses, which afford
!, good range for cattle. From this point to Orr
gon City, seven miles, the land is hilIy and til
timber more stinted. The country preserve
:. the same features for fifteen miles above th
n place. Here the open plains commence, II
- present farming portion of the valley, and e,
tend to the Umpqua-one hundred and six
miles; the open praires on each side of IL
le river being about seven miles wide on an ave
'u age,-then the scattering timber of oak and
- for fifteen miles to the mountains.
IS For agricultural purposes this portion of 0
no egon, dare say, is not surpassed in the know
1g world. 1t has the appearance Of an old cou
lie try much like the southern portions of Vernon
lis the land hilly and covered with grass that
en- fords rich nutriment for stock the year roun
an Wheat grows well, and every varietry of era
and vegetable, except corn and some of t
ID, vines; the nights are too cold for these. FRI
u of all kinds comes to maturity. | saw spe,
I'm men of Ike common bell pear, produced by
es tree five years from The seed, the measureme
M of which was-length, 5 l2 inches; circuI
lat ference, ] ! 1-2 inches. This pear was rails
en- by Henderson Luelling, who brought the tt
lid from Iowa in the summer Of IS47, He has
Is. ty thousand fruit trees from three to five yet
ir; from the seed. His peach trees were in f
res bloom March the 5th. Cattle and sheep thri
he finely, and are in good condition the whole ye
70. Sheep appear to be well adapted to the count
and there are already severa large aocks in