, 1878-03-01
PORTLAND CORRESPONDENCE.


FRIEND WEIR:-I frequently think
must write you something for your
valuable paper, for really do es.
teen it very highly, not only for its
news, but because of its manly and
dignited character. And yet when
cast around to see what would be
interesting to your readers, ev cry
thing appears stale, and | say to my
self, "why he has all the news be.
fore can reach him with any"
However, there is one thing you
haven't got, that is two months
rain, without two days cess alton. |
had thought we used to have plenty
of the moisture about = ort Town
send, but our rains there were only
occasional mists, compared with the
daily down.pouring here; still peo-
pie get used toit, and splash about
duck fashioned, as though it was
natural" Accompanying the rain,
has been great deal of
HIGH WINDS,
from the south, and few days since
thunder storm, attended with hail,
which were about the size of big
rifle ball, thaC fell so fast, that in if.
teen minutes the ground was covered
compactly, fully two inches deep, and
which lay in places over two days aC-
terwards. The storm, however, did
not extend more than fourth of a
mile in width. Much uneasiness is
felt on the part of
GARDENERS
about their spring work. February
has generally given them some good
weather in which to do their early
planting. But the rains this year
have been so continuous and hard,
and the ground so wet, that not
stroke has been struck nor a seed
put in. Hence if it should clear up
any time between now and next
July, there will be some stirring
times about cabbages, peas, beans
and potatoes.
TIE RAILROAD
is the only public enterprise of any
note that is now prominently agitat-
ing the public here. 1t is the great
question upon which is suspended
the future prosperity of Oregon. II
she is defeated in securing a railroad
now, she suffers in an untold degree;
If she succeeds, she rises as by magic,
and Portland, Astoria, Walla Walla,
and other places, will soon be cities
Of 40 ordinary character The fay
Oraole prospect of success, as now
indicated by dispatches from Wash
ington, and the untirng energy and
able efforts of Senator Mitchell and
his assistants, who don't mean to
fail, are already giving a new inn
pulse to events, and the value of
property in this city. Building is
going right briskly, while every nook
and corner is being occupied. House
rents have advanced quite consider.
able, while the business pulse is beat
ing with increased activity, iirmness
and hopsfulness. The influx of i'm
migration continues without ahate.
ment, and the coming season prom.
Ises to add thousands to our present
population. Never before has the
prospective augured 50 much for
Oregon and Washington Territory.
Lands for homes arc being eagerly
sought for, and the very fir ridges,
that heretofore were considered too
poor, or of no agricultural value, are
to-day being bought up, cleared and
cultivated, and are demonstrating to
lnS'r owners that they possess great
value. Heavy crops OF wheat and
clover and the best Of potatoes, a,
well as other vegetables, are raised
~ great quantities upon them. The
more they are considerably cultiva.
T1ed' the better do they produce.
heIr natural adaptabIity to produce
clover, makes this crop ready re. /.
'uperator. A good clover sward