The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-03-01
Albaug gfeister.-
OcHOco VALLEY. FEB. isTa.

O&HVSO aAeAs1Aa = NfFs A0NmS N1
Ed. REGISTER Now that we have !
'residedin this past Of Eastern Oregon.
since Che hitter part 'of OctCSar, and
being pretty well thawed ont from
what isternicd here aaaisusaally hard
winter, 1t may be,interesting to por-
.tion OF your READERS to learn few
items selaaiag 70 eur climatc, the
health, and steck interest
The weather In October and to the
last of November, was clear and
pleasant, with occasional Aigh winds
from the south and west through the
day, from the north at night.
Snow fell two and One-hah Inches
about the first OF dseCesnbeE laying
near ten days going off with a light
rain, grass the while being uncovered.
The weather varied--a few days soft
aud pleasant, then cool wind, then
clear and bitter cold-wllen, on. the
18th, commenced 0 tall Of successive
SHOWS finally reaching a depth Of
twenty-one inches, settling DOWN to
seventeen, clear days intervening,
some Of which were pleasant, while
on Christmas 1t storMcd hlriOusly the
entire day, followed by night Of IN
tense cold, the mercury falling to ls'
below zero. The cattle came IN from
a thousand hills and hollows tributary
to Oci,oco and Crooked river, driven
BY the storm, lowing most pitifully,
seeking shelter, and collecting In
bands OF one and two hulIired head,
wandered down stream, bewildered
and blind, knowing no home, carrying
along even tlsose daily fed, from five to
twenty miles away--that gave their
owners and hearders q jrb Of two
weeks to return them to their range.
We were made glad In 3 few days
after by the warm wind springing
from the south, termed here the
Chemook, which caused the snow to
melt rapidly wllena sudden blow from
the north crushed the snow. But 80
cilangeable i the atmosphere that BY
the 7th Of January the south hill
sides beCAme bare, while the valleys
we're covered for ten days longer.
On the fourth day Of February snow
fell TO the depth Of fourteen inches,
remaining on about week. Toa few
ofus in this vicinity it was day long
to be remembered, for near the whole
day, upon a bleak point In q most
terrific snow storm, we were digging
the grave Of John Macy, an estimable
citizen, late from near Harrisburg.
who was striken down at the age Of 60
years With spoplexy while consers-
ing and apparently In good health.
The reads have been quite muddy
ueceRtly, the like Of which has not
been since the settlement Of the valley.
The weather Is now mild with soft
winds. The cattle are seeking their
old range in pursuit Of the young
grass, now appearing from two to
three inches high upon the south bill
sides, which, from the quantity Of
melted SHOW absorbed In their granu-
lated soils will spring forth more
luxurinat than for years.
think there has not been general
loss Of cattle Of more than one ont Of
forty, being mostly Of COWS that BE-
came reduced from their calves run
ming with them the whole season urA-
weaned. Hundreds Of cattle have
survived the storms thus far without
ether feed than greasewood and other
brosse. Hii
The winter 1t Camp Polk has been
severe, lie snow falling very deep
70 save their stock, owners drove
them In on Tie Deschutes.
Frcn Upper Crooked river and
Bear Creek, cattle done well--the
snow fell about the same as here.
It u not advisable TO drive stock
frozA Tie valley to this country In the
EsiL They arrive fatlgued and foot
sore, flII up with he dry grass which
scems TO prOduCs inward teaver, and
tlsy beame poorer, 20 tlaatdaring the
soft wssaler IN wilster they asc unable
to extsicate themselves from the
nl:re Il beaver holes, Or cling On alp
pcry trails. A person to prc#er hafe
aooa with cattle, Mecds = stOck o.
thirty TO flfsy COWS and Any yearlir'g
aud two yearoh steers. he then viii
be aAaeto ell beef for cash and hcep
up BY ne Increase, and taereattcr
ygasly compound. BE WIN need hay
or CT lands EOr winter Orage, 10 cut
and ssask each seasOA, feeding Only
when the grsss b under snow, which
requires ; foot depth or more lie
nAr aOs need It SOe two Or three
yeasA ycs tlae winter may arrive, as 4
has tilis, ana take It all. These bot
tom lands ere rich growing forty Il
fffy bushels Of wheat to ths ace-O
barley and oats onesScSrth more
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