The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-09
oregon-Its Extent, It's Soil, Climate, Pro-
ductt0ns, Sc.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
ELArsoP, Oregon. May 10,

ELATsoP. Oregon, May lO, 1861.
Letters are continually being received from per-
sons residing in the Atlantic States nquiring about
the boundaries extent. soil, climate, productions,
water privileges, government, religion, education,
finances, and indeed asking every species of infor-
nation relating to Oregon; and although it is now
about eighteen years since the first white families set
tied in this country the general mass of the people
inthe United States seem to have no adequate know
ledge Of the present condition future prospects
of this State. That class whose minds seem direct
ed this way, and who appear DESTROYS to exchange
their present situations for homes on the Pacific
coast and who need sufficient light on the subject
in question TO enable them to make up their minds
understandingly as TO the propriety of change OF
homes, seem destitute of the most common nforma'
ton relating to the country 1t would seem therefore,
that any person might hope, BY imparting the oe
sired information, TO instruct and benen them' ana
If the facts desired TO be communicated should De
presented through the columns OF paper OF the
high character and extended circulation OF the NEw
YoRx HERALD the benefit would be greatly in
creased. propose therefore, in this and future
communications, to lay before your readers facts
in sufficient number and variety to enable tliem to
come at correct conclusions regarding all the prin
cipa advantages and disadvantages of a residence
in Oregon and as, in doing this, desire accuracy
and not originality, shall draw upon any source
Conformation within my reach, rejecting only such
statements as conflict with my own observations
and experience during fourteen years residence in
the country.
Oregon was organized "a Territory on the I'd
day of May, 1913, and was admitted as a member
of the confederacy on the 18th day of February,
1859. 1t is bounded on the north by Washington
Territory. from which it is divided by the Columbia
river, and the forty-sixth parallel OF north
latitude; east by line from the mouth
of the Owyhee river, due south to the pa
rallel of forty-two deg. north; SOUTH along said
parallel TO the Pacific ocean, which forms it's west
ern boundary 1t lies between forty-two deg. and
forty six deg twenty min. north latitude and be.
tween one hundred and nine deg. thirty min. and
one hundred and twenty -four deg thirty min. west
longitude, and includes an area of about ISIS 900
square miles -four times the size of New York; and
contains population of about50 ,00O 1t is divided
by nature into three separate divisions, which in
many respects are altogether dissmilar. From the
Owyhee river to the Blue mountains, being the east
division, there Is little or no arabic land being
sandy, rocky, mountainous region, presenting an
aspect extremely sterile and forbidng. The middle
division, lying between the Blue and Cascade noun
tans. though offering no particular induce
ments to the farmer, is perfect elysium
for the herdsman, being vast undulating
prairie, which, though lacking both richness and
moisture for remunerative cultivation of grain ex-
cept along the margin of the streams. produces
grass of the finest and most nutricious quality, fur
nishing whether in green or dry state, food of q
very superior kind for cattle, horses, sheep, &c,
the year round. Along the margin Of the streams
flowing through this country to the Columbia river,
there Is generally narrow strip of rich alluval
soil which is capable of producing in great perfec-
ton the kind of crop usually cultivated in Western
Oregon Taken altogether this is beautiful region
with mild and healthful climate, but its great
scarcity Of timber preclades the possibility of its
ever being densely settled.
The region lying between the Cascade range
of mountains and the Pacific ocean, and
known as Western Oregon, embracing, as
it does the great valleys of the Columbia,
Willamette, Umpqua and Rogue rivers,
is adapted in peculiar manner to agricultural pur-
suits as well as TO stock raising, the soil being
ceedingy rich and productive; whether low and
fiat. or high and rolling, whether heavily tmbered
or prairie the soil Is the same rich black loan un.
T. color TO reddish brown, but retains its productive
capabilities even on the hill tops
Wheat, which is the staple crop of the country.
produces well averaging from thirty TO forty bushels
per acre, and often reaching from fifty to sixty, and
that too. under inferior system Of cultivation.
the average ploughing being from four to six inches
deep. while il is proven by experience that deep
ploughng paws a. well in Oregon as any other
country. and that much Of the land might be largely
benefited by UNDERSTANDING The price of wheat,
take il the year round, ranges from seventy five
cents TO one dollar and half per bushel: the cost
of producing a bushel of wheat. owing 10 the
high price of labor is estimated at fifty cents. Oats
grows to great perfection and produces more
abundantly than wheat, it, average yield being
from forty TO seventy fye bushels per acre-the ac-
tual cost Of producing being twenty five cents per
bushel: price in market from forty cents TO one
dollar.
Barley succeeds well, producing from forty TO ff
Is bushels per acre. but the demand is at present
too limited 10 encourage its growth except in small
quantities Rye produces well, and may be raised
10 any amount Corn, though not Extensively. cult
waited averages in some portions of the country for
" bushels per The opinion which has hereto.
fore prevailed that this crop would not mature well.
owing 20 the GOODNESS of the nights, seems not TO
have been well founded as subsequent experience
has proven that planted early rich light soil
and well cultivated yields sufficiently well to reward
the labor Of farmer, often reaching TO fifty. and
sometimes to sixty, bushels per acre. The cost of
production is estimated at twenty-five cents per
bushel-price in market, one dollar per bushel
The quantity OF bacon annually carried to the gold
mines has greatly encouraged the growth of this
species Of grain for feeding to hogs. We believe
the unfivorable reports heretofore received were
predcated on instances in which Il was planted on
poor soil and carelessly cultivated
The various root crops usually cultivated in the
Older states Of the Union especially the Middle and
NgseLn ss.e. grSS 70 RSlS ss' IN oregon
ceedingly large, yielding from 200 to 500 bushels
per acre. The price in market varies from ffiy
cents 10 one dollar per bushel. The potatoe rot Is
unknown west of the Rocky Mountains.
Turnips grow to enormous size, Welding as
high a. 900 bushels per acre.
Carrots and beets yield about 500 bushels per
acre without manure. and may be grown 90 any
extent. Vegetables OF the various kinds, such az
onions, cabbage. pumpkins squashes. beans. pars.
nps, &c, grow TO great perfection. Peas are eN.
tensiyely cultivated for fattenng hogs for which
they are well adapted, and produce from forty TO
fifty bushels per acre.
Both the soil and climate Of Oregon being
admirably adapted TO fruit growing. there are few
farmers who are not owners of beautiful and eXien.
sive orchards. The apple in particular 6, an album.
dant and never falling crop, producing in such .xn.
berance as TO REQUIRE the branches 10 lao snrno-,.J
Hr 10 thafr hr.a 10
loads OF fruit: and Of size aud havO. 700 ~ which
the world perhaps affords parallel; and although,
the trees yet have not acquired the age and size
necessary to the production of a full crop. large
quantities are annually exported to California and
other markets.
D The price Of apples in our home market varies
arr,rdt,c 20 ftx o.. 4