Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-06-27
SOUND READING.
The Future of the Willamette
Valley is Bright.
SMALL FARMS AND GOOD CULTIVATION.
Fifty Times Its Present POpu-
latiOn Can be Supported by
Its Fertile Fields.


Its Fertile Fields.
The advantage possessed by
Western Oregon in its exemption
from cyclones, hail and thunder
storms, and other elemental disturb.
ances, is becoming more generally
appreciated by the people Of the ag-
ricutural states. The climate OF
this region is also particularly de
sirable as the range Of the tempera-
ture from summer heat to wiRter
cold is moderate, and violent
changes are unknown. 1t is an eX-
ceptional wIuter when the mercury
descends to zero; and when the dog
star RACES, the thermometer rarely
mable boon to the farmer, as it en-
sures his crop of fruit and grain
with every returning season, and
also renders his labor profitable, as
he is not compelled TO feed to his
stock, during long and inclement
wiuter, all the fodder he has put up
during the summer season. This
favorable climate is also advauta-
geous TO all classes of persons, us it
decreases the ills of life, and renders
the conditions Of existence 80 much
less burdensome.
AS natural consequence, there is
a flow of population in this direction.
Young men who are seeking fair
field for their energies; business
m, II who desire to escape the rack of
unsparing competition; the farmer
who looks for sure return of his la
bors; and the investor who is in pur-
suit Of section where values are
steadily apppreciating, are all at
tracted by the one common aim to
advance their respective interests.
Nature in her III st benignant mood
invites them hitherward.
The growth Of Salem is marvel
to its oldest iuhabitant. Strangers
tlocking to its borders create a want
for new dwelliug-houses, and an in
crease of population establishes de-
mand for more retail stores. This
enhances the value of city property,
and stimulates an activity to which
all interests contribute. Street cars
are succeeded by motor lines; one
foundry and machine shop being Ov-
er-cruwded with work, another Is
started; an extensive fruit evapoTa-
tor calls for Il canning factory, which
has Just been built and equipped;
and new wooden mill starts its
looms running to join in the chorus.
Nor are this growth and diffusion
to the city; the spirit of
tNronracS hos tal-ap DOaSaSaiOn pf tha
country. On all hands
we see the large and neglected farms
of the pioneer settlers divided up
into small parcels of five, ten and
twenty acres, which are readily set
tied on by incoming families. A
betake themselves to pOul-
try raising, there beinga good home
market for all the eggs and poultry
Others devote their time
and skill to orcharding, ten acres of
fruit securing n good living for
Berries are profitable crop,
and the canning factory will take all
the sweet corn. caulitiower, tomatoes
and other vegetables that can be
raised.
The former practice of the Will
valley farmers was TO raise
which was shipped to San
Francisco for export. This required
machinery and liberal
means, aud this excluded from the
contest any with small capital who
might venture into the arena. A
of these heavy wheat rails /.
ars grew fore-handed with the indus
try and still continue the pursuit.
But when the price Of wheat receded
from a dollar to 20 cents bushel
The industry became less attractive,
and there was general complaint .
that the cultivation Of this cereal .
was unremunerative. After while .
he Oregon Land Company came .
10 the rescue of these perplex-
ID farmers, by buying a num- .
Der Of fine tracts of land, which .
they surveyed into small lots, as
above, cleared of the
brush and timber, opened roads,
where necessary, and in some cases
large tracts in orchards and
grain fields.
The benefits resulting from this
are alike social and indi-
lhhals liC lAE
advantage IN the number of useful
md industrious citizens who estab-
ished homes in their midst; and
private individuals are benefited in
being put in the way of living un-
Ter circumstances which promise
almost certain success.
The ball is only just set rolling,
This Willamette valley, five million
,cres in eXteut, is surpassed 10y ne
imilar body of laud on this cunti-
lent, aud il is capable of sustaining
. population tifty times rs numer-
,us as il contains. The donation
racts, varying in extent from five
hundred To several thousand acres,
Is rule, are not profitable TO their
present owners; hut as land becomes
more valuable, they will be brought
ntO the market. and be made the
homes OF thousands Of happy aud
prosperous families. The human
ide Is flowing in this direction In
Increasing volume, and as We all
lave right TO n home, land pro-
lrietory must be restricted, and
iod's foOt-stool be- carved up 10
,uit the wants OF His Intelligent
'reatures.
MhArAyRr Malaria RNistS