The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-10-06


The exhibit of grain was almost a
blank, there being only two sacks of
wheat in this department, and that
did not appear to us to approach any
where near the excellent quality of
our Willamette cereal. The grains
were fully as large, but were not so
white or plump as the ordinary mill
ing wheat of Linn county. However,
we have experimental knowledge of
the fact that Walla Walla wheat
makes excellent bread. The soil here
produces astonishing large yields of
wheat. We have heard of several
tracts yielding 40 bushels to the acre,
and one tract,of 90 acres which pro-
duced 62 bushels per acre. The av-
erage yield the present year has been
nearly 25 bushels per acre, which
would more astonish our readers if
they were to see the land which pro-
duces it. That which produces in
greatest abundance is upon the hill.
sides and high flats where before cul-
tivation the buch grass grew most
luxuriantly and even where sage brush
and alkali have heretofore held silent
sway. The creek bottoms 49, of
which the valley is tiaversed by not
few--also produce cereals well, but
are mostly used for meadows and
hay. -.
But we have wandered so far away
from the Fair, and have really SO little to
tell about it, that we will permit it to
run its three days races, and thank
ing its gentlemanly officers for cour.
teous favors shown us, will now pro-
ceed to tell the DEMOCRAT folks some
thing about
PEACH oRcAARD.
On last Monday we visited Mr.. W.
s. Gillian's peach orchard-onc of
the Distinguishing features of the
Valley. 1t is situated about nine
miles north of this city, in n narrow
little vale which is traversed by
clear, cool mountain stream whose
green borders, fringed with luxurant
grasses and guarded by young trees,
present refreshing appearance COM
pared with the bleak and lofty hills
on either side. The orchard com.
prises about 1880 trees, planted ten
feet apart and separated in rows
twenty feet apart. covering an aera Of
thirty acres. Some thirteen hundred
trees are bearing fruit this year the
others being yet to young to propa-
gate. The peaches grown here are
the largest and most delicious we have
ever seen. We do not see how they
could possibly be brought to higher
state of culture. There are some
twelve varieties in the orchard among
which the yellow Cling" largely
predominates and seems to be the fa-
vorite in the market. The Blood
Cling" or Indian peach. grows the
largest, but is hardly possessed of so
rich flavor as the yellow Cling
1t is no uncommon thing to see peach
es as large as an ordinary coffee cup;
occasionally one may be found which
weighs over half pound. This can
hardly be excelled in any other eli
mate in the world for the production
of peaches, and in fact for almost every
kind of fruit peculiar to the temperate
zone. Mr.. Gillian has a small vine
yard and an extensive apple orchard
and also large number of pear trees,
as well as the plum, apricot, cherry,
ETC., all of which produce abundantly
and prove quite renumerative. He
has this year supplied to Portland
over 1000 lbs. of peaches, besides sup
plying the local market.
One peculiar feature about his
mode Of peach culture is that he does
not transplant the trees, as do or
chardists in other countries. but raises
the tree Immediately from the seed
This he does by burrying the seeds
in the fall, and in the spring breaking
the hull, taking out the kernel and
planting it in the ground in the posi-.
ton he desires the tree to grow. He
has now fifteen hundred trees from
two to four feet high which were plant
ed in the kernal last year. His four
year old trees are this year bearing
finely, and next season will doubtles
have as large yield as it is possible
for peach trees to produce. The soil
and atmosphere here seem peculiarly
adapted to the culture of the this
most delicious fruit, and Mr.. Gillian
seems especially devoted to its propa-
CATION.
We spent three days as the guest
of Mr.. G. and his amiable and accom-.
plished wife, and to say that we rev.
elled in the peach orchard would
sound superfous to those who know
an editors weakness for the good
things of earth. We shall remember
those three days with rare pleasure,