Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-03-25

that person could hardly keep track
of the day of week or month. About
the last day above stated the rainy
season commenced, first with April
like showers and some fair weather,
then perhaps day or two of rain and
cloudy weather, and fair weather
about one third of the time, with aver
age temperature of about As degrees.
About the middle of January we had
about one foot of snow, and the ,ner-
cury ranged for about two weeks from
20 degrees above to 4 degrees below
at my place, but at Salem and other
points on the river it was reported as
low as 10 degrees below zero. Ills
variation of temperature is owing to
currents of cold air from the mountains
and warm from the ocean. In East
ern Oregon they have nearly as cold
weather as they do in Wisconsin, and
cattle have died off from cold and
starvation; but this valley being near
the ocean, it appears to have the eff
feet to keep the climate mild. This
weather took that ancient mans au-
thority (The coolest Inhabitant'') by
surprise, as something that never hap
pened before and consequently never
would again. The snow did not STAY
on but about three weeks, and since
the first of February we have had very
pleasant weather, and farmers have
been busy blowing, sowing, and plant
ing gardens, etc.
This valley (the Wilamette) is
considered the best part of Oregon.
1t is about IT'S miles long, with an
average width of about As miles.
The river of same name is navigable
for $50 miles most of the year. The
Oregon and California railroad runs
on the east side of the river from Port
land to Roseburg, 200 miles-connect
with stages that runs 268 miles, and
connects with railroad for San Fran.
cisco. The Oregon Central railroad
runs on the west side of the river from
Portland to St. Joe, about 40 miles, is
laid out within two miles of here, and
to. eQn2sGt Eithi his Winter a bill has
been passed in Congress which you
perhaps have seen account of, granting
right-of way to extend it to connect
with the Overland railroad at Win.
nemucca, Nevada. The opinion oil
those that ought to be good authority
is, that it will be extended from St.
Joe beyond the section of the valley
this year.
Land in this valley is worth from
Sc to $50 per acre, according to quail
ity, improvements nearest to market,
civilization, etc. 1t is said that Gov.
eminent land can be got back near
the Cascade range well adopted for
stock raising. | do not know of any
stock farm for sale near here, but pre-
sumo they could be found. Stock
| should be fed at least two months in
winter if the seasons are as this has
been so far Cattle is not considered
as profitable as sheep raising, the
market being local one, and rather
overstocked. They raise American
cattle only here. This country APP
pears well adopted to grain raising,
wheat being raised principally. |
suppose the reason they raise wheat
is because they can SOW it when they
please, and harvest it when they get
ready. | have seen wheat harvested
in October that had been ripe over
two months, and have seen it sown
every month since September. The
local grain market is independence,
about three and a-half miles from
here, on the Willomette river. 1t is
carried to Portland on steamboats, for
about two dollars per ton, distance
about 60 miles; it is then sent by ships
to Europe, at less cost IL is said than
from Chicago, and as the price here in
coin is about the same that it is with
you in currency, it is good evidence
that it can be done. Taxes this year
are about | 4 mills on the dollar. An
appropriation for State Capitol is
having the effect to make taxes high.
Legal interest is 10 per cent; parties
can agree on II per cent. Cost OF
living is as cheap as in Wisconsin =
sugar, tea and coffee is cheaper; dry
| goods about the same in coin as in
currency in Wisconsin. Every thing
is reckoned coin at rates. As to
health, the general opinion is that il
is healthier than in the Western
States, They have some cases of bill.
hous, typhoid and scarlet fevers, and
also some cases of ague along the riv-
er; but location has great deal to do
with it, the low fiat lands being con.
sidered more unhealthy. Water is
plenty, but ardly as good tasting as
| in Wisconsin. Wells are used mostly
for house uses Water is generally
found at a depth of from FIVE to
twenty-five feet. The settlers here
are from nearly every State in the
Union; very few foreigners in this vi
cinity. Farm hands and mechanics
are in pretty good supply; wages for
farm hands about S25 per month; me-
chanics wages from IS to Sc per day.
| Female help is scarce, many people
hire Cinnamon instead; they can be
got for about sl5 per month, and do
chores, as well as wash, iron, and
cook. Houses are mostly built of
frame and ceiled inside with lumber.
Price of lumber from SO to SIS per
thousand, for finishing lumber; some
use white cedar, worth about $50 per
thousand. Fruit of nearly every va
riety, except peaches and grapes,
grow abundantly here, and to perfec-
| ton Peaches and orapas ara raisa5