Fair play., 1882-12-16
The Basin OF the Columbia.

Until i lew Years S.n't SlD'k-f3!>lNS
was the principal industry OF the great
treelr>s region of Eastern Oregon and
Washington: but it has now been de-
munStrated that wheat of the best pual-
iiy can he surcly,and successfully grown
over a large area of the country. and,
that, too. as chraply rs anywhere in the
world. The bunch-gra>>. unlike the
prairie-grass of the Western States,
forms no sod or turf. does not need
..breakin@," and the first plowins
will produce Il crop.
We ask If it is profitable. Hitherto
transportation charges consequent apon
the many landings at the different port
ages have not left much margin ofproiit
10 the producer. The Columbia, open
on a tidal level from the ocean to the
Cascades. is there obS,ructcd by tn first
cataract. fall of twenty-five or thirty
feet, which is passed by Il railroad port
age Of six miles, nece>sitating the hand
linz of grain twice. from boat to ear.
Another stretch of river reaches 10 the
Dallcs, the second cataract. passed by 4
rail portage fifteen miles long, requiring
again The, twice handling OF grain. max
lii0. VIII 'ttS4' '.'' ii''.i
warehouse 10 ship. al 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 DallcS To Wal!a Walia.
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 10
Portland. The Northern Paciticare also
pushing with great energy their conti-
mental line from the mouth of Saake Xiv
er eastward toward Lake Pend OrciIlc
and the pass of the Bitter Root Mountains.
The great need of all new countries, the
railroad, will soon supply the rapid
TRANSFORMATION of all that 4 new country
wants Transportation charges have al
ready been reduced where railroad con-
nections have cheapened the handling.
and the whole farming and gr;lin-grow-
in" interest has frightened up nj the en-
| couraging prospects of the near future.
One is aStonished to see the immense
| numbers of farming and harvesting
| implements and machinery. III all their
r!ory of fresh red and green paint.
crowiin- the boats and trains on their
way Ia the front of civilization.
And vet this country has barely been
wrcstcd from the control of the Indian.
and he still makes spasmoiic attempts
to check the oycrpowering Hood OF
whites. Let us not suppose tina; all the
advantages are on the side OF the farmer.
for here are some drawbacks and dis
advantages which prevent a man from
being an optimist. TO enumeratc some
of these. we will find that wate, is not
abundant. and often ofpoor 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 air.
The nights on the highest lands are cool.
and occasional frostS are liable To oc-
eur. Nothing. however, seems to pre-
vent the growth of wheIt, one season 5
crop often taxing the carrying capacity
of boats and trains to the utmost.
-Cerei.nd Roc&WsN. IN HHpcr'S -uaJa-
zine.