The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-07-15
HEAVY
HARVEST
READY


lamette valley at this time will convince
the most opaque pessimist that we are
having a grand year as far as crops OF all
kinds are concerned. Hay making has
been in full blast for two weeks, and
there are thousands Of tons already in
the barns, besides the tens of thousands
ready for moving.
Considerable wheat cutting lie slready
under way. This is especially true on
the west side, about Dallas and other
points. Threshing machines will be
starting up within a week. The wheat
yield is fully up to the average, and al
though the price is not very promising
farmers are feeling good over the pros
pect.
Hops are looking especially fine, and
not only good crop is in store, but
prices promise to he better than we have
had for several years. The prune crop
is probably the largest ever known in
the valley, and it is believed by many
that it will be impossible TO harvest the
whole crop. Scores of new dryers are
being built, and still it is believed that
the capacity will not be sufficient to
meet the demands Of the immense crop.
The strawberry crop has been won
derful success this season, and now that
it is about over growers are beginning to
realize what profitable business 1t IL.
One lady who has one of the largest
Gro psof this fruit hereabouts, melted just
$l27 per acre from her berries after pay
ing all expenses Of picking and market
ing.
The cherry crop is also money
maker, and was probably never more
satisfactorily handled than this year.
The cannery has paid from 8 TO 3I9
cents per pound, and although this is
small. many have made big money on
cherries. Mr.. Ferguson, who lives just
across the river. and whose word is just
as good as gold, says he sold $2l6 worth
OF Royal AIMS off Of one.fourth Of an
acre, and that it cost him $50 for pick
ing, thus netting $ls5 from a very small
patch Of ground. Others have no doubt
done equally well.
There is spirit Of thrift about the
country homes that is very encouraging,
and the rural population is better on its
feet than it has been for some time.
The rural free mail delivery is proving
great benefit TO tho country people, and
making the burdens and drudgery OF
farm life much more bearable, as the
country people are brought by this sys-
tenn into daily communication with the
world at large. This system is not
believed to be a good thing Tor
the towns and smaller merchants
but II has tendency 10 settle up the
country and increase traffic TO euch an
extent that ii may yet prove a boon to
the commercial interests as we'll as the
farmers themselves. It is interesting to
drive about the country and notice the
little green boxes. everywhere marking,
the homes of the more progressive. Many
farmers are beginning to have their names
printed OH the boxes at their gates, thus
making veritable directory for the
stranger. Many have also caught onto |
the value OF having their farms named,
thus adding interest TO their places. IL
would be good thing for all farmers
as we'll as the public generally II all
would have their sign board, as it we're,
on these boXes.
The fine stock interests Of the valley
are probably taking advance strides
more perceptibly than any other interest,
Many of the large grain RANGES are
beginning to have the acreage OF wheat
reduced, and the meadows increased in
proportion. There is probable more
stock in the valley now than ever before,
and the quality In also being looked
after more closely than ever before. Old
stock is being graded up, and every
farmer is looking forward to
the time when he will have
few head Of thoroughbred stock on this
place. This is true ol cattle, sheep hogs
and goats, and is believed 10 apply 10 the
great variety OF farm products ab we'll.
All these things make it apparent to ev-
erybody that things in the Willamette
Valley are moving in the right direction