The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-11-14

very common, and occasionally specimens
may be found weighing over two pounds
each; peaches weighing one-half pound
each are very common, and specimens are
often found weighing twelve ounces.
Apples will sometimes hang on the trees
half the winter, and keep in good con-
dition, and their keeping qualities are re-
markable, and San Francisco is already
making demands for more than can be
supplied. Peach trees have been known
to bear fruit one and one half years from
the seed, and the short time in which all
fruit trees bear fruit from the seed is re-
markable.
The profit to be realized from fruit
culture in this valley has been fully dem
onstrated during the past two years, there
having been instances fully substantiated
of gross return from one acre in peaches,
four years from the seed, of $3.50; while
the profits from apple orchards fully grown
will range from $500 to s. 900 per acre.
Fruit trees and fruit are comparatively
free from insect pests of all kinds, and 1
do believe this valley must certainly attain
celebrity as a fruit region. A large area
of the Northwest must look to it for sup
ply; indeed, California is already making
demands for apples, and car load of
pears is just now being shipped to Sacra-
mento packed in boxes carrying Califor-
MIA brand. Canneries and evaporators
are necessities of the near future, from
which good profits must be realized.
SO far as all grain crops are concerned,
irrigation Is not at all necessary, the rain
fall being sufficient, averaging about %
inches annually.
The climate of this section is another
strong point in its favor. 1t has neither
the wet of the Willamette on the north
nor the drouth of the Sacramento Valley
on the south, but seems to be the happy
medium so seldom found, and enjoys the
warmth of summer and the frosts of win
ter without any extreme In either. One
Characteristic at all seasons is the remark
able evenness of temperature. Often for
n month at n time observations taken at
the same hour day after day will show
scarcely degree of variation. The alb
sence of wind is notable, and such thing
as gale or n cyclone is unknown. The
mountains cut off the fogs from the ocean,
which lies one hundred miles to the west.
1t certainly has one of the finest "all-the-
year" climates to be found on the globe,
and as TO health this valley has no peer on
the continent
Ashland is 34l miles south of Portland,
and AS miles north of San Francisco.
Mountains are near by on every side-in
fact, you cant get away from fine scenery
anywhere in this section. Ashland is the
chief town in the Rogue River Valley. and
has population of about $500, and is
1000 feet above sea level. Ii has fine
water privileges. a stream rising in the
capped peaks furnishing power for a
fine WOODEN MILL roller Touring mill,
two planning mills, and one saw mill, be-
side one mill site not now used. Well
water of good quality is obtained at easy
depths, and mineral springs of many
varieties abound, principally, however, of
iron, soda and sulphur.
The railroad has just completed fine
eating house and hotel at a cost of about
$35, 900, besides building a round-house.
As this town has been made the end of a
division, prospects for machine shops in
the near future are fattering.
The new year will greet the completion
of a fine brick hotel now in process of
construction, of which the accompanying
cut will give fair idea, and it will be one
of the finest to be found in any town of its
size on this coast. There are two news
papers published in the place, the Tidin0s
and the Record, with schools, churches,
and an excellent class of citizens. There
are more evidences of growth and activity
here at this time than in any other town in
Oregon, and we have no doubt the popu-
lation will double within the next two