The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-09-29

1
Sound, laid stress upon II in the converse
ton with him, which reported in form
er letter. As yet, ii seems to be far Of
dream. Our whole trade with China, ex
ports and imports, Is less than twenty-si1
millions Of dollars, out Of a total Of about
1900 millions with all nations, and Of thii
less than six millions are exports. And
while British linda has commerce OF about
700 millions, the share Of the United States
in II is 80 Insignificant as to be classed un.
der the general head OF "all other nations,
and not specified separately In the Ameri'
can almanac for 1883.
THE WILLAMETTE AND UMPQUA VALLEYS.
All Of this letter, thus far is but preface
to the subject matter which set out tc
write about when began this Letters
trip which have just made to Southern
Oregon through the Willamette and imp
qua Valleys. incidentally, l have been
led of to indulge in explanations about
the early settlement Of not only these
valleys but this whole portion Of the Pacific
coast. Their lands are known as "dona'
ten lands" because, as I said, they were
donated in 320 and 640 acre tracts TO the
pioneer settlers who came here at
such great peril away back in
the Forties to rescue this land from
British absorption. They comprise a
beautiful country-an exceptionally
rich country and q wonderful wheat ceun-
try. / have in the last few days seen lands
that have grown crop OF wheat every
year for thirty years-that have never once
failed in all that time-and that even now
in spite OF the fact that their stubble is
burned of every season to get ready for a
new planting, and that have never had q
pound OF manure or other fertilizer laid
upon them still produce from twenty to
thirty. five bushels per acre. Even this
year, when there was scarcely drop OF
rain from the time the wheat was sown nn-
til 1t was reaped and threshed, there was no
failure, but crop that will perhaps aver
aye twenty bushels throughout the Villa.
mette and Umpqua valleys.
This is wonderful record and II 1t was
not confirmed on every hand could
scarcely credit it. II shows what won
derful amount OF moisture this country
retains from the long winter rains, and
what the heavy summer dews that fall
here in the dry season are capable OF as
substitute for rain. II such an area OF
country was Of wide extent, instead Of
being confined TO few valleys in Oregon
and Washington Territories, the wheat
production OF this country would be prac-
tically illimitatb!e.
journey through these valleys for 200
miles over the line Of the Oregon & Cali.
fornia railroad, and 1t was wheat slubble
falds all the way, and few fields were
still uncut. They say that wheat can thus
stand uncut here until the late fall rains set
in-that 1t does not rattle out-and l
noticed that it is threshed out OF the shock
and never stacked.
WHAT IS PRODUCED.
The land Of these valleys produces not
only wheat but oats-40 t. 60 bushels per
acre OF the latter-but Is not corn country.
You see very little corn, and what you do
see is very inferior. But it produces supe-
rior wheat, oats, potatoes and other vegeta-
bles, and is also good fruit country, es-
pecially for apples. It's climate is superb at
this season Of the year-about like our en-
est October weather, or, in other words,
genial days and cool nights. It has how
ever, a long rainy season, lasting some
years from December until March. The
rains are not heavy, but there is liable to
be more or less rain every day. Some Of
the people say that they get very tired Of It,
while others say that they do not mind 1t
very much; but they all seem to wish that
there was less OF 1t.
am here attending the State Fair, in
order, II can, to really see specimen Of
the agricultural, horticultural, live stock
and other farming wealth Of Oregon. l
have already made up my mind that
Oregon farmers are not model farmers by
large msiority, but that, on the contrary,
they are very indifferent farmers-in fact
rather lazy and thriftless farmers. They
have abused their good lands sadly, and
are reaping the just rewards OF their thrift.
less ways, In diminished and diminishing
crops.
Further observations about the fair and
about this town, which Is the capital OF the
State, and these valleys Of which l have
been speaking I will defer for another let
ter Among the people l have met out
here from the Ohio river country is Hon.
T. B. McElroy, formerly OF Washington
county, Pa.-State Superintendent Of
Schools man who stands very high, and
deservedly so, in this country. His excel
lent wife is daughter Of Thomas McFad-
den OF! Washington county. have also
met Mr.. Frank Campbell, native Of
Bethany, Brooke county, who is
prominent lawyer at Rosebury, l4O miles
south OF this place. Also DR.. Rowland, a
very accomplished and successful physi-
clan, who was a student at Bethany many
years ago / have also met a Miss Eliza
McFadden, native Of West Middletown,
Pa, who is sistOr Of the late Judge andex-
Congressman McFadden, OF Washington
Territory. They all seem to like this coun-
try, though their high praise Of and prefer
ence for It Is not unmixed with some quail.
fcations. A. ". C.