Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-08-26
IN WESTERN OREGON.
"A Land of Great and Varied
Resources.
A HOME Or THE EARLY PIONEERS
By T. J. Apperson, President Oregon Agri-
cultural Society.
A HOME OF THE EARLY PIONEERS

Embracing all that part ofthe state west o
the Cascade range of mountains and east o
the Pacific ocean, bounded on the north b
the Columbia river and on the south by tn
north boundary of the state of California
This would include less than one thirds of tn
entire erea Of this state. There is over Is pc
cent Of the entire population of Oregon livinI
within this part Of the state and it is estimated
that there is near eight.tenths OF the entire
wealth of this state owned in this part oi
Oregon. There is not in this part Of the stat,
any considerable amount OF public government
land, suitable for agricultural proposes. These
| is quite considerable amount Of government
land in this part Of Oregon mostly mountain
Gus, and broken, covered with dense growt
Of timber and brush and chiefly valuable as
timber land. This part of Oregon is well
watered, and all kinds Of crops can be'suc
cessfully grown without irrigation.
There is great number Of valleys within
this part of the state, and the agricultural
land therein is extremely fertile and productive.
This is especially true of all that part Of
Oregon south Of the Calapooia mountains.
In this part Of the state are situated the
Umpqua and Rogue River valleys, noted as
especially adapted to the growing Of fruit and
vegetables Of all kinds that can be grown in
this climate. This is true and applicable to
all the agricultural lands in Southwestern
Oregon. The hills and mountains Of this
timber, and are noted for their rich min eral
deposits. Gold is being extensively mined
in many localities in this section Of the coun-
try, and gives quite market near at hand for
considerable quantity Of the products Of the
farmers situated in the valleys Of this section
Of the country.
The Willamette valley is the largest and
best known part Of Oregon, and is situated
within what is known as Western Oregon, and
lies south from the Columbia river, extending
along $50 miles to the Calapoolia mountains,
From east to west it will average about 90
miles, and is bounded on the east by the
SdolduC hiOuhbaluol Oh llic WNob Wy NhNSOaoi
range Of mountain. In this valley the pioneers
Of the Northwest FIRST settled, This valley at
the date Of its early settlement, was noted
for the great abundance and rank Of native
grasses, and in this paat Of the state was situ-
ated the larger number Of what is known as
donation claims. These claims or grants Of
land we're made by the general government
to actual settlers at an early date in quantities
Of $40 acres to single or to man and wife
go acres. Thus quite large percent Of the
agricultural lands Of this valley was acquired
by the early settlers from the general govern.
ment under the provision Of the donatoa law.
This with the abundance Of grass, with a
climate where stock could live ont all winter
without care or feed other than what was
abundant on the commons, doubtless induced
these early settlers to depend upon stock
growing for support, and will explain the
reason why they and their descendants, as
many persons who came later, have neglected
to utilize and put to cultivation large part
gf this rich and fertile valley, Notwithstanding
it is no longer profitable to use this valuable
land to grow stock upon.
There is a large amount Of this Talley
still held by the original claimants o. their
The lands Of this valley are very productive
and when properly cultivated will equal any
other like body OF land to be found in any
part Of North America. 1t is true that in this
vast extent Of country there has not yet been
over one.third Of the arabic land Of this valley
utilized or brought under cultivation. The
principle crops grown in this part Of Oregon
are wheat, oats, barley, hay, potatoes, fruits,
hops and vegetables. These crops can be
grown here as cheap If not cheaper than in
any part Of this great eountry. Many other
kinds Of farm products can be grown here
n great quantities and with profit to the
when intelligently cultivated.
To succeed and make farming profitable in
this or any other part Of North .meriea, a
farmer should be industrious and possess that |
intelligence that will enable him to correctly |
udge as to the adaptab lilly Of the land for the
kind Of crops that he desires to produce
This part Of Oregon in soil, climate and con.
yenience to market, is well adapted for
diversified or mixed farming. / will admit
that the people Of Oregon con6ne themselves
to the production Of few Of the staple crops
mentioned. There are many other kinds Of
crops that could be grown on this soil and in
this climate with profit. Iwould urge every
farmer to make a speciality Of those crops
that from his situation and knowledge, he
can bsst handle with profit on his farm.
The gold plank In the Ohio Demo