Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-16

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 demonstrated that wheat of the best
quality can be surely and successfully grown
over large area Of the country, and that, too,
as cheaply 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 ploughing will
produce crop.
We ask if it Is profitable. Hitherto transport
tation charges consequent upon the many hand
lngs at the different portages have not left
much margin of profit to the producer. The
Columbia, open on tidal level from the ocean
to the Cascades. is there INSTRUCTED by the first
cataract. a fall Of twenty or thirty feet,
which is passed by railroad portage of six
miles, necessitating the handling Of grain twice,
from boat to car. Another stretch of river
reaches to the Dalles, the second cataract,
passed by rail portage fifteen miles long, re-
quiring again the twice handling Of grain, max
Ing with the transfer at each end from ware
house to ship, at least six landings. The ex-
Ing rapidly reduced. The Oregon Railway and
Navigation Company have already completed
a line OF rails from the Dalles to Walla Walla,
and are constructing feeders in all directions
from the main artery to tap the grain-growing
country. They are also rapidly building from
the Dalles down to the Cascades, and prepar-
ing 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 river
eastward toward Lake Pend Oreie and the
pass Of the Bitter Root Mountains. The great
need of all new countries the railroad, will
soon supply the rapid transportation Of all that
new country wants. Transportation charges
have already been reduced where railroad con-
nections have chcapened the handling. and the
Whole farming and grain-grOwing interest has
Frightened up at the encouraging prospects Of
the near future. One is astOnished 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 trains on their way to tho 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 over
towering flood of whites. Let us not suppose
that all the advantages are on the side OF the
farmer. for there are some drawbacks and dis
advantages which prevent man from being an
Optimist. To enumerate some of these, we will
ind that water is not abundant, and often of
poor quality, and the absence of forest growth
makes lumber expensive.
The winds blow with great force In the sum-
mer months, and carry clouds OF sand and dust
flying through the air. The nights on the high
est lands are cool, and occasional frGsts arc la
BILE to occur. Nothing, however, seems to pre-
vent the growth of wheat. one seasons crop
often taxing the carrying capacity of boats and
trains to the utmOst.-Cie ROch,,CeU IN
Hd,.pe''s Magazine for December.