Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-09-07
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

winds" which pass inland to Montana and
even Dakota. melting in few hours the
snow in Oregon and Washington Territory,
and allowing the stock to crop the heritage.
The lawns Of Portland are bright and green the
whole winter through, and flowers bloom in the
open air long after the frost has withered the
vegetation OF Virginia. Thunder storms are
practically unknown, and there has never been
blizzard or cyclone. The farmers can pillow in
the coolest part of Oregon as early as February,
and in nearly al parts OF it he can have an Or
the fruits and vegetables Of the warm and cold
temperate zones. The cultivated grasses thrive,
but wheat hay, six to eight tons an acre, can be
had, of which stock is as fond OF the best
timothy Wheat ranges from thirty to sixty
bushels to the acre, WI lille fax yields from TWEEN
ty to forty bushels and furnishes fiber equal to
that which makes the best Irish linen. Oats,
barley and rye grow bountifully, but corr is not
q universal crop. owing to cool nights. Pork is
fattened on peas, wheat and barley, making q
firmer and sweeter meat than the corn fed but
not 80 fat. There has never been complete
failure Of crops
In the Eastern States the bottoms along the
streams are usually of heavy soil, the poor land
being up on the high places Here this is re-
versed as rule the river and creek bottoms
east of the Cascades are sandy, rocky, and UNI
slightly, with the arabic sections on the table
lands and hills and not always, indeed rarely,
to be seen from the cars Taking Oregon over,
to give the range of productions from apples to
wheat would be to reprint the premium list OF
an agricultural society or a nursery catalogue
The resou ces of the State, however, are not all
Of an agricultural kind. There is stored away
in the hills q variety of metals and minerals
raj ging over no less than thirtysix distinct
natural products of value lille every condition
favors stock husbandry in the highest degree.
1t is already one OF the leading wool-growing
of fine horses and dairy products. In climate
soil, timber, minerals, and grazing lands, and III
ocean, river, and rail transportation, Oregon has
incompatible advantages 1t has popu-
lution mainly of the best sort for respon-
eible citizenship, Intelligent and self-reliant.
Army reports from the Department. Of
an e annual deathrate Of to each 1000 soldiers,
the.lowest in the Union, and census statistics
confirm the general healthfulness OF this'sec-
ton. No epidemc mas ever prevaileo; =, Living
labor is better paid. There is variety enough.
but no one can tell in advance just what will
suit the different tastes, capacities and ex-
periences Of the newcomer who has probably
never lived in a country of such opportunities.
The man who goes to distant part of the coun.
try must adapt himself to new methods and
conditions and no one should attempt to make
a home in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere
else without first going over the ground, seeing
for himself and assuming the responsibility 10!
the choice. In Portland the writer learned
much Of the possibilities of this section, through
the kindness OF the Board of Immigration at
whose rooms can be seen rich display OF the
products of the State, and whose officers are al
ways ready to welcome strangers and tourists
without fee. Reliable information is furnished
free 10 all applicants.
WHAT OF PORTLAND?
1t is the second richest city per capita in the
United States, and has population, including
envlons, of about 5000. The location OF the
city is most picturesque; the views to be OBJ.
tanned from the heights west OF the city, or from
Paramount Lookout, soon to. be quickly reached
by cable cars, are truly inspiring. Here nature
has wrought with holder hand in the Largo
featured sublimity Of the scenery than i'll lands
that boast of an older civilization. Five snow
white perks, miles and miles apart, and inter
venng crags and hills of blue are sen. and two
great rivers, the Columbia and Willamette
twin valleys, with thrifty farms creeping dowr
to the water, the whole scene backed by verdanl
woodlands. Below us is the city, with broad
shady streets and two score church, spires ris
ing above the treetops Along the. docks YES
sells from distant lands are discharging theil
cargoes. This is the trade center and metEopo
lis OF the Pacific Northwest. Look here, yos
man of As years. yoa will not admit that yot
are old, yet when YOU we're pulling down you
Christmas stocking this fair city hae
no place On the map, and the empire
of land stretching 1900 miles TO- the great lukel
was wfldelness. Upna these Aillsides
row crowned with homes OF comfort aud plenty
we're trees rocks. and Indian tslees. Wher
nov are solid squares Of business blocks, tn
wolf howled and the wild deer wandered; Will
the river. now crowded saAling erafts OF ever,
sort, was disturbed only by the bark canoe or tn