The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-02-06
Tvs COWS,
Farmers Of the Willamette Valley Wouio
Better Turn Their Attention

TO the Iattet'
A few years ago, when wheat IN 'ne
Willamette valley was worth VI pei
bushel, It was probably the most pront,
able crop to be raised but now that
wheat land in some sections fails.to yield
80 large a crop as in former years, ana
the price il often less than 5Ocents
bushel, the farmers Of Oregon must
, adapt themselves TO the changed coIul'
tions. They may learn profitable leg
son from the experience OF their lei
low producers Of the Eastern states.
Years ago, when the bulk Of the wheat
produced in the United States was
grown in or near the states OF New
York and Ohio, and when it is worth
near 81 80 per pushel, II was prohta0le
crop for the farmers in those eastern
81 ates. But as the railroads we're built
west, and the great prairie, with Its
newer and richer lands was brought
into cultivation, wheat was grown in
larger quantities and at a price that
made wheatgrowing Improbable in the
older states where the land had become
poor from years Of continual cropping
These changed conditions induced
farmers TO engage largely in dairying'
First cheese factories and then cream
cries were erected, and the finest herds
of cows were kept. In few years the
! Impoverished farms were rich in sod,
! and growing large crops of clover and
corn to ill silos and provide green food
for the cows during the long winters.
Dairying proved profitable. New York
state gilt edge yellow butter and the
richest Of cheese became in demand, and
millions Of dollars worth have been ex-
ported to other countries.
Farmers who are competent to judge
claim that the Willamette valley is one
Of the best dairying sections in the coun-
try; yet there is hardly cheese factory
or creamery within reach of Salem, and
much of the butter and cheese we eat is
brought here from other counties, and
occasionally from other states.
There is, however, one cheese maker
in this vicinity, but he finds II difficult
TO obtain as much milk as he would like
to use. This is Mr.. Schubinger whose
factory Is situated on the Asylum Farm
road three miles from Salem. lie has
had large experience in Germany as
we'll as in this country, and he uses all
the milk he can buy in making fancy
cheese for the market. Mr.. Schubinger
is unable to supply the demand for his
cheese, as he can only secure the milk
from thirty cows, while he is prepared
10 buy all that three hundred or more
could produce. He pays as much foi
milk as do the cheese factories in east
ern states where the cost of production
is much greater than here, and will g
after the milk, thus saving the farme
the expense of delivery.
Some idea Of the amount OF milk /,
be obtained from a good COW may b
gathered from the following record: A
the late Agricultural show held at Lor
don Canada--the dairy COW that wo
first prize was q Holstein years oil
and was milked each day Of the iail
The first day she gave "a pounds, tn
recond day ~ pounds, the product {
the first two milkings tested as per cen
OF butter fat, the product OF the mex
milking tested 4.S and the last milkin
4.3 per cent butter fat. This cows pr,
vious unofficial record credits her wit
her wsth $4,000 pounds Of milk in te
months.
This matter is well worth the serior
consideration Of the Willamette VallC
farmer. If good COW will produce
year four tons Of milk that will sell Il
$50, ten such cows would yield h
owner $500, sum sufficient 10 NAL
him Independent Of the price of whea
and the crop will grow each year. III
small farm well worked will gro
, enough clover, corn and other feed
} sustain small herd OF cows, and thei
} will produce an income sufficient
make a prosperous and happy home.
Mrs. g. Rich was passenger {
Albany, where she will visit her daugl
, ter Mrs. j. X. Roth.