The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-12-15
OUR VALLEY.

10 one accustomed to the dull gray color
OF the dead forests with their thick growth
of nnderbrush that cover the Willamette
Valley on the west, like vast stubble-
field, how beautiful is the scenery about
Jacksonville. Instead of the blank weird
sentineis of ashen hue. pointing heaven
ward till lost in the cold, gray fog which
wraps them round like winding sheet.
we see all the variegated hues of nature,
from the dark green of 'lense fir forest and
brighter shades of the laurel and nanzanita
to the sere and yellow leaves OF the black
oak. And tile same gray, WHICH i'm the
dead forest is SO like death itself. seems TO
twine about our foliage like the bridal veil
of morning.
Stloiling over the hills above the town
we find everywhere tlle ruined huts OF the
rough miners of early days, whose former
owners. some with once bright hopes and
prospects blasted. and others an wholsl the
tickle goddess tleignetl to smile, are now
scattered and gone, leaving the broken hill
sides and r;lYished canyons. fit enbemS of
the lfontler life, which gave place to the
heSler'S fiocks and the thrifty farmer.
The Rogue River Valley. comprising. as
1t does, between three and four hundred
thousand acres of arlble land, at an average
elevation of from one to two thousand feet
above tile sea. possesses not only a product
i've soil. but as fine a climate as can be
found on tile Pacific Coast. We are far
enough south to escape not only the severe
winters of Eastern Oregon, but also the
excessive rains of the more northern co,ll-
ties.
learn, ny the papers and correspond
ents In various parts ofthe Willamette Val
ley that 1t has Iaincd there almost con
. nfV fVUrV
have had but twenty-tour hours hard rain,
with few light showers tlHring the night.
within that time. The rain has been quite
sufficient. however. for farming purposes !;
much heavier fall would prove great
benefit to uur miners.
In 9dmiring the broad plain stretching
away to tie north and east. not one ut all
conversant with practical life would fail to
recognize at Il glance the vast resources
which lie dormant all about lis for want of
transportation. OF these the foremost Is
fruit. 1t is well known that grapes grow
here with Il thrift almost equal TO those in
California and their cultivation is already
receiving considerable attention. and have
been cretlitably informed that our peaches
are tar superior. while figs. >apricots and
nectarines flourish, though they have not
yet received much attention. Aud rs for
apples and pears We challenge America.
Besides fruits we might cultivate bects.
paratively new industry in America, but
| never saw country that was better
adapted to it than this valley. As to a
market, ifenough was raised to supply the
home market alone, for the present. it
would prove a great benefit. Flax also
might be extensively raised. bnt would be
more difficult to get to market than some
other things. Corn will grow here abund-
autly, and ii farmers would raise it tor the
purpose of fattening swine in place Of
wheat, they would find the pork produced
thereby to be of superior quality and in
creased in value i'll proportion.
But in esnvassing our resources I know
of none that offer greater inducements to
one acquainted with the business than that
of dairying. We have fine grazing
country. aud everything favorable for it,
and If some enterprising party. with Il
small amount OF means would put up
cheese tactory. at any convenient point in
this valley. it would certainly pay. And
as for Il market for butter and cheese, if the
business were properly managed, the sup
ply for home consumption alone would be
quite sufficient for the present and even if
compelled to freight with teams it would
pay tar better than wheat raising. With
good facilities for transportation enough
butter and cheese could be made i'm this val
ley to supply the whole country west of
the Rocky Mountains.
Of cGIlEse these resources mentioned are
Dllt u small part OF what orr valley is capa-
bic of producing. but was only consider
ing some of those which offer the greatest
Inducements. under present circumstances.
-''Ctd6er, " an Oregon Sentinel.