, 1882-07-29

Around the foothiIla
On Monday afternoon 10 company With
enc OF the mos. able newspaper men con-
nected with the California press, the editor
OF the STATESMAN took . drive out In the
country, and, as heretofore we had always
Travelled on the main road, We determined 70
branch of on 10 The side roads and take OBJ
serva,ions from other points. We therefore
took road that led to the MaIon school
house, and ~e must say that no finer coun-
try exists in the whole Walla Walla valley
than that We passed through. The soil here
is of the blackest and richest quality snd
EVERYWHERE the fields are in high state OF
cultivation showing evidences of knowledge
pertaining 20 agricultural matters In co'nb'n-
ation with industry that solves the problem
why the farmers residing there are so much
more prosperous than in many other sections
OF this territory and the adjoining state OF
Oregon. In every instance the grain looks
, well. aud the crops will be up to the full
averase. 10 no instance did We observe any
evidence OF the detestable volunteer system,
bat some good solid farmers we interviewed
informed US that they were at one time as
bad as many Others in allowing their fields
10 volunteer, but experience having proved
that in the end 1t was losing game they
had entirely given it up, and furthermore
commented the STATESMAN for the course it
had taken in cOndenning the old shittless
system.
The Maxon school house and church sur
prised US very much for the buildings would
he 4 creiit 10 even large town, and the
people who erected them cannot receive too
much praise and commendation for their
liberslity ami enterprise in erecting such
fine structures they speak volumes
for the prosperity of the couatry around,
, and we cannot but wish that other localities
would follow the bright example set 10y the
farmers of this district On every side We
noticed a comfortable and contended look
about the handsome residences surrounded
by waving trees. fruit laden orchards and
blooming flower gardens. Crossing Mill creek
below the fiume dump, We proceeded up the
creek 20 the residence Of our friend, Mr.. S. e.
Fields. and As storm was coming or, ac
cepted his standing invitation to put up our
team and enjoy his hospitality. As else
where around the foothills, the land On
Mil creek is OF the richest, and the grain
up to the general average; al
though so near the mOuntains We here found
grapes, tomatoes and other delicate fruits
and vegetables in a high state Of perfection.
Mr.. Fields is one of the very few men in
this county who keep bees and he informs
Us that they are very profitable; this season
he has already sold 200 pounds Of honey VIII ch
very readily fetches - cents per pound, and
the bees swarm four times IN the season. It..
IS never csasing wonder to us why the ad-
vautages offered by the unlimited water
power OF Mill creek Is not utilized by some
sharp and tar-seeing business man. Right
here Mr.. Fields has advertised that he Will
give mill site with all the water that can
possibly be required, TO any party that will
erect a flour and grist mill it Is in the very
center OF the best wheat growing lands of
this valley. and the farmers around are ready
to pledge themselves to supply at least go,
0C0 bushels of the finest wheat in the world
every year. And yet this splendid chance
goes begging.
Going down Mill creek on our way TO town
We passed the Baker Flume. which brings
eroriaous guam. ities OF lumber, railroad ties,
cord wood and building material to the ter
minus 0: the narrow guase railroad and is
thence bcoasht TO this city. The branch road
running ont INTO tn hills il progressing rap
idly AMI Will be available for the removal OF
the crops from a large extent Of country this
present harvest. As elsewhere in this i'm
mediate section, the MIL creek farmers may
well feel proud OF their fine farms and resi-
dences, Tor No better exist in any farming
community IN the United States. Oar COM
panion was very agreeably surprised at what
he saw, and from his expressions there IS no
GaGbt but that his letters to the California
papers wlIl rebound to the credit Of the coun-
Try and the eity, which also far exceeded his
mtici palions lie was pleased with every
thing except the hotel he staid at, which he
chara1terizes as disgrace and productive OF
much Ill, as no traveller will ever again come
here until ne can he assured of civil treat
ment. something 70 eat and a little attention.