The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-05-15

ter it is better than the best cured
feed, as no rain falls from June until
February to bleach it or destroy its
nutritious proprieties. Many streams
wind through this high level region
and finally empty into the Columbia.
The valleys thus formed are narrow
and generally rocky, though there is
found land in small bodies suitable
for cultivation. The valleys Of the
Grande Ronde, Umatilla, Powder
river, and John Days river, which
are in the easternRpart of the State,
are small when compared with that of
the Willamette, but they are fertile
and we'll watered. Timber, except
along the margin of the streams and
on the higher ranges of mountains,
is scarce in eastern Oregon.
Along the coast the forests of
timber are grand beyond description.
The Cascade mountains are also COW
cred of with, cedar, spruce, hemlock,
pine, and live oak. But it is along
the coast where the timber is most
valuable. Vast amounts of lumber,
masts, spars, and other timbers for
ship building and other purposes are
annually shipped from the ports Of
Southern Oregon to all parts of the
world, and this trade is only in its IL
fancy, and is a neyer-ending re-
source to the State.
The mineral resources Of Oregon
are gold, silver, iron, lead and coal.
During the early settlements of the
State mining was the principal bust
ness of the people, and the mines
were the greatest attraction to draw
hither immigration from the older
States. But while it may be safely
said that the mines OF Oregon are
only partially developed, agriculture
is now rising business, and from this
source the future prosperity and per-
manent wealth of the State will flow.
The fisheries of Oregon are vast
source of wealth. Hundreds of
thousands of barrels of saltwater
salmon are annually caught on the
Columbia and shipped to eastern and
European markets.
Oregon is destined to become q
leading manufacturing State. AL
ready there are four woolen factories
in operation, and with water power
unrivaled, and such q vast grazing
country in the very heart of the State,
where innumerable herds of sheep
can be raised on the native grass,
what may not be reasonably antici-
pated in the futere?
Having, imperfectly, given the
foregoing facts relating to the natu-
raj resources of this country, the
reader will inquire: What are the
chances to secure u home in that
far western land? Truth constrains
the answer, that desirable vacant land
is scarce. The high grazing lands in
Central Oregon, hitherto referred to,
are all vacant, but as stated, they are
worthless, except for grazing purpo-
ses. Along the western base of the
Cascade mountains and eastern slope
of the Coast range, there are large
bodies of land suitable for agricul-
tural purposes, but they are covered
with Il dense growth Of fir timber,
which as yet seems to forbid their
settlement. Improved lands in the
Willamette valley can be purchased
at from five to thirty dollars per acre.
Unimproved tracts range from five to
fifteen. Let no one contemplating
removal to Oregon be deceived by
false representations from any source,
leading them to believe that there are
thousands of fertile acres of land
to be purchased of the railroad or
military road companies at a low
price.
The lands owned by these com
panies are generally fractional bodies
and much Of it is, comparatively worth
less. There is room in Oregon for
ten times its present population, and
the people never fail to cordially well
come emigrants to homes in their
midst. But let no one come expect
ing to find a country where labor and
enterprise are not required to con-
quer the obstacles ever in the way of
the moving columns of Christian civ
ilization. Although we may justly
boast of the climate of Italy, the
scenery of Switzerland, and valleys
riyaling, in fertility, the regions of
the Nile, it requires prudence and
industry, even in this favored coun-
try, to insure prosperity.
And now having given your readers
somewhat detailed description Of
Oregon, and an imperfect and con-
tracted statement regarding its ma
terial resources, / will endevor to tell
them something Of its educational,
social, and moral status. The com
mon school system of the older states
is in force here. The counties are
districted, and schools are supported
in many of the districts during six
months each year from the public
funds There are high schools, col
leges, seminaries, and academies in
all the larger towns of the State sew
eral of which are under denomina-
tional tontrol and richly endowded.
In no State in the Union, perhaps,
are there better facilities, than in Or
egon, for obtaining q common school
education, and a thorough collegiate
course is obtainable with advantages
SURPRISING many eastern localities
that have attained more extended no.
toriety.
Society in Oregon is decidedly
western. The Same frank, open hos
pitality prevails that so characterizes
the people Of Missouri, Iowa, Illi-
nois, and the other older Western
States.
Churches are numerous and more
than an average number Of the peo-
pie are either church members or
are sympathizers with the denomina-
'tions in which they have received
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