The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-12-15
The Basin of the Columbia.

Until few years since stock raising
was the principal industry of the great
| treeless region of Eastern Oregon and
Washington; but it has now been de-
monstrated that wheat of the best quail
ity can be surely and successfully grown
over a large area of the country, and.
that, too, as eheaply as anywhere in the
world. The bunch-grass. unlike the
prairie-grass of the Western States,
forms no sod or turf. does not need
.'breaking," and the first plowing
Will produce crop.
We ask if it is profitable. Hitherto
transportation charges consequent upon
the many landings at the different port
ages have not left much margin of profit
TO the producer. The Columbia, open
on tidal level from the ocean to the
Cascades. is there obstructed by the first
cataract. fall OF twenty-five or thirty
feet, which is passed by railroad poft-
age of six miles, necessitatng the hanfE
ling sat gram, vice,
stEsitsaT szf's-sss sss--ss
Dalles, the second cafN< passef 5v q
rail portage fifteen miles long, requiring
again the twice handling of grain, max
ing, with the transfer at each end from
warehouse to ship, at least six landings
The expense of these numerous trans
shipments is being rapidly reduced.
The Oregon Railway and Navigation
Company have already completed line
of rails from the Dalles to Walla Walla.
and are constructing feeders in all direc-
tions from the main artery TO tap the
grain-growing country. They are also
rapidly building from the Dalles down
to the Cascades, and preparing their line
from the latter place down the river to
Portland. The Northern Pacific are also
pushing with great energy their CONT
mental line from the mouth of Snake Riy-
er eastward toward Lake Pend Oreille
and the pass of the Bitter Root Mountains.
The great need of all new countries, the
railroad. viii soon supply the rapid
transportation of all that a new country
wants transportation charges have al
ready been reduced where railroad con
nectiOns have cheapened the handling,
and the whole farming and grain-gro
ing interest has frightened up at the en-
| Couraging prospects OF the near future.
One is astOnshed TO see the immense
numbers of farming and harvesting
implements and machinery, in all their
glory of fresh red and green paint,
crowding the boats and trans on their
way to the front Of civilization.
And yet this country has barely been
wrested from the control of the Indian,
and he still makes spasmodic attempts
to check the overpowering flood OF
whites. Let us not suppose that all the
advantages are on the side of the farmer,
for here are some drawbacks and dis
advantages which prevent man from
being an optimist. To enumerate some
of these. we will find that water is not
abundant. and often OF poor quality, and
the absence of forest growth makes lum-
Der expensive.
The winds blow with great force IN
summer months. and carry clouds OF
sand and dust flying through the Dir.
The nights on the highest lands are cool,
and occasional frosts are liable to cc-
cur. Nothing. however, seems to l'Ie-
vent the growth of wheat, one season .
/ crop often taxing the carrying capacitS
of boats and trains to the utmost.
-CeUeLd,ad Rockwell, IN HUper's haga
zine