The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1891-12-18
BUTTER AND BREAD Production IN
THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY.

Following is the address OF C. IL.
Schmidt, OF Albany, delivered at the
Farmers Institute at Silverton:
The Willamette Valley has splendid
reputation for its production OF fine
wheat and we have excellent flour and
bread; but as to butter we must confess
that it is nearly as bad as our roads in
the winter. Indeed our present system
OF farming is only possible where agri-
culture is in its infancy. IL is not alone
in this valley that graia growing has
beenthe main thing while the land was
new and fertile, but we know the same
practice was common in the eastern
states years ago and we have like expe-
rience from many countries in Europe.
1t is very profitable for us 10 examine
into this experience from our eastern
relatives, rs we will find that 1t is only a
matter OF few years time that we must
follow in their track and learn their
practices. II is Of great interest for Us
TO observe that while we are practicing
grain growing and grain selling we come
in direct competition with rough labor
and with countries which have a popu-
lation Of people with only few wants and
we have also to bear in mind the i'm
mense expenses il costs to transport our
grain 10 the worlds market thousands
OF miles away. The actual facts show
US everywheTe-ihat competition 10
keenest where we seek competition with
unskilled labor, and abroad, ,on the other
hand, skilltul agriculture is blessed With
but little competition. Ladies and gem
tlemen let us look into those important
facts and learn by them and we will soon
see that our home industry is sadly neg
lected. We now send thousands OF dol
lars out Of our state daily to buy butter
from Iowa and other states which ought
to be distributed right here. We cannot
afford longer to overlook the great dairy
industry. All OF us who came here TO
stay are anxious TO see this beautiful
valley develored, we wish to see it before
we die, we like to reap the benefit while
we live. We like 10 enjoy ihe fruit OF
modern civilization, we wish 10 see this
valley full Of beautiful homes, full Of
prosperous towns and cities. We can
not accomplish what all good citizens de.
sire to see developed before we get a
much greater population and income
from our land. We need a million good
people in this valley instead Of l50 thou
sand, and the sooner we get them the
better for all. We younger men appre-
cate all what our brave pioneers have
done Cor this state and we owe them
every consideration, but this we can in
no way clearer manifest them by putting
our shoulders TO the wheel and carry il
forward step by step.
Raising OF wheat exclusively neces-
states q waste OF over one hundred per
cent, grow corn on tine summer fallow,
put it into the silo and make it into fine
butter, and you can increase the net in
come in this Willamette Valley alone
ten million dollars a year; a marvellous
sum, and perhaps you doubt at first
glance, but travel through this valley in
every direction as the speaker Las done
and you will not doubt it. Take one
hundred acres good plow land and har-
vest year after year 1900 bushels OF wheat
and this is better than the average have
with summer allow,-half OF the land Is
wasted-this same farm will on the sum-
mer fallow raise feed enough to support
% 10 so cows year which will add over
100 per cent net income. Gentlemen,
when we double and treble our net in
come we will see great changes in this
state in few years. We will find the
homes we'll supplied with the great
papers Of the day, (the speaker here re-
ferred to the many splendid agricultural
and dairy papers which ought to be in
every home besides the local papers.
Numbers Of the Breeders Gazette and
Hoards Dairyman was shown.) We will
see neat and comfortable homes, clean
yards and painted buildings, we will see
agricultural and dairy schools besides
and joining our other schools, we will
see model dairy farms and model fruit
farms as two sisters helping and depend
ing on each other. We will have good
roads in the winter as we'll as in the
summer. The dairy industry offers twen-
ty-fve (25) dollars every time the wheat
industry offers ten (l0) dollars. Dairy
ing draws into its ranks the best OF the
farming community, and its reward to
them who put intelligence into it are
greater than in any other branch OF
agriculture. Mr. Ed Looney sells "a lbs
OF butter per week at 10 cents per roll,
the product OF four COWS. Mr. Warren
Cranston had "a lbs milk per day per
COW average during the whole month OF
May Of his 30 cows. lie uses now 10 lbs
OF milk TO one pound OF butter. Col.
Cornelius keeps COW to the acre. Jacob
Wilson gets 500 net income OF each COW
per year. Douglass Co. gets so cents per
roll for their butter, which is common
price for good separator butter in Port
land. The wonderful growth of the
dairy industry and thereof following
prosperity in many eastern states is di-
rectly due to the liberal policy adopted
Of the people through their legislature to
hold farmers institutes and secure spe-
cial trained men to deliver free lectures
and make practical demonstrations here
and there; in Wisconsin about one hun
dred Institutes is held in a single season.
Likewise have the people through their
legislation bodies built addition after adj
dition to their agricultural experimental
stations and is ever ready to assist any
movement in the agricultural and dairy
line Millions of dollars have been
gained to the country where hundreds
was expended. Let us be wise and follow.
rFsa