Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1888-12-10
LKNDS AND HOMES.


ter of rich counties that form that
princely domain, and is the banner
commonwealth of the great north
west in all the essentials that go to-
wards making it profitable abiding
place, and a home for the thrifty
farmer, the cunning artisan and the
industrious mechanic.
Rich in its agricultural resources
in its cultivated and uncultivated
lands, in its water powers, and
minerals; rich in it's colleges and
schools of learning, and with Il
climate unsurpassed for its salubrity,
it presents to the immigrant from
the overcrowded states, where cold
winters and hot summers, with
terrible cyclones, prevail, who
comes to the coast with some
means, advantages that no other
county in Oregon possesses.
Much has been written of this
western country that requires u
stretch of the imagination to COM
prehend, aud numerous complaints
are heard from the class who have
been misled by them, 80 in this
brief sketch the writer desires t.
avoid exageration as to its present
and prospective advantages, asking
those IN the east into whose hands
this may fall-particularly those
who have their eyes directed towards
this coast-to peruse it carefully,
feeling that it is not written to lure
immigrants within it's borders, but
only as truthful description Of -
land which, if it does not "flow
milk and honey" contains within
it's bosom wealth and resources equal
to any other country on the Pacific
side of the Rocky mountains.
BOUNDARIES.
Marion county is bounded on th,
north by the Willamette river anG
Butte creek which separates it froIu
Clackamas county; on the east i,y
CIackamas county and the Cascssc!,
mountains, which separate it fioIi
Wasco county; on the south by the
Santiam river and the north fork al
the Santiam, separating it frCl
Linn county, and on the west by IT,,
Willamette river.
PHYSICAL FORMATION.
The county contains, including
5alley, prairie and mountain lands.
about 90O,0 acres.
There are two main divisions, til,
mountain and the valley. Tie
latter extends from the Willamett,
river to the foot of the CascuG,
mountains, distance Of about tii-
teen miles.
The mountainous portion contains
tArryrChi.N1 nf II
unsurveyed land; lying in a striI
twelve miles north and south by
forty miles east and west, and com.
prises all classes of land, from rich
narrow valleys in the passes, NJ
through all the grades of rolling,
hilly and broken, to that of rocl;-
bound canyons and inaccessible
craggy peaks. 1t is generally heavily
timbered, and in the near future
will be valuable for it's lumber SUI
plies. These hills and mountains
afford a wonderful summer rang'
for stock, and many of the more Ell.
terprising farmers are availing them
selves of this opportunity, and when
the cold frosts of autumn approach,
the stock are brought out to freslr
pastures, thus enabling them to sur
vive the winter storms with little
care. 'f.|.. .af
GREAT ADVANTAGES.
A decided advantage Marion coun-
ty has over many others is the d-
versified farming interest that can
be carried ON throught the entire
year; Notwithstanding this is a wei
climate during the winter months
the uDlands are seldom too wet t,
work, and long before the prairie
farmers are through with their seed
ing, the hill farmer is preparing for
ais summer work. And yet tn,
low lands are much preferred by
many; the yield per acre is generally !
greater, and perhaps less labor is r.
quired to place the soil in prbpcl
condition for crops; and then should |
the season prove dry, the bottom |
lands are sure to bring the best
crops. No better farming land can |
be found in the United States than
that on the noted Howell prairie
French prairie, Santiam prairie and
Salem prairie. The soil of these art
productive. With good
forty bushels of wheat
and sixty OF oats per acre can be
readily secured.
FACILITIES FOR MARKET.
The Willamette river, with two
lines of railroad running the entire
length of the county from north to
south, with the Oregon Pacific road
the southeast corner of the
county, affords ample facilities to
reach a market in any direction.
SALEM
Is the capital of the state and
county seat of Marion county, stu.
ated ON the Willamette river-and
ON the .. 4 Q. railroad. Costly
have been erected, among
which the state capitol building,
county court house, Chemekete hotel,
opera house, new public school
Catholic school building,
Methodist church, Willamette Uni
and many private residences
and business blocks, which will
compare favorably with older and
larger cities.