The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-10-13
CITES ASTORIANS
TO HOOD RIVER.

Inc following article on the success of
intensified farming at Hood River
appeared as the leading editorial in the
Astoria News of Tuesday, October 4.
and was written by H. S. Lyman, sun
erlntendent of public instruction in
Clatsop county. 1t will be remembered
the Glacier mentioned last week the
visit OF Mr.. Lyman to Hood River:
Success with intensive farming at
Hood River deserves mention all over
oregon because 1t affords a demonstra-
ton that is peculiarly convincing.
80 lar as a state is concerned that
business that plants the most homes
within its borders is the best business.
Also that business which supports the
most people upon the revenue that it
brings, is the hest business. Not the
dollars, but the people who live upon
the use of the dollars, is what increases
the state. The figures given for the
Hood River community are very inter
estlng, IN this view. 1t is not for anv
unfavorable comparison, but as giving
suggestions how our own community
may increase its growth in population
upon the very large income that this
county enjoys, that these figures are
given for our contemplation.
In the Hood River valley there is
estimated an area of about 10000 acres
that is under irrigation, although by no
means ali Of this is in cultivation.
There are, in fact, but little over 1000
acres in strawberries, and 5000 acres
in apple orchards. Area in strawber-
rles is not increasing, though new fields
are planted to replace old ones; a crop
of clover or alfalfa is sown upon the old
field as good preparation for turning
it back again into berries, Many of the
orchards are young and not yet in full
bearing 1t would seem that not one
quarter of the area that may now be
irrigated is yet under cultivation.
The production for the community,
however, makes good showing, even
on the 20,000-acre basis; while on
5000 acre basis, it would be surprising.
The income in value is now abont $780,
600 each for Strawberries and apples
the value of the apple crop probably
considerably exceeding this year that
of the strawberry crop. To this should
be added about $4,000 as the value of
the hay crop, which is some 1000 tons,
indicating about 900 acres in hay land.
Another item of income is the consider
able, and increasing numbering business,
which is placed at about $3.50, 900 for
the year. This would make the income
of the community about 100000 per
year. Excluding the comparatively
small area furnishing the logs for the
numbering, this would show for the
10000 acres an income per year of $25.
Considering that but one-fourth OF this
area is as yet in real cultivation, this
would show for the land actually used,
about 500 per acre OF income. This is
but fair to consider, as the greatest part
of the lands now planted to orchards
are not yet in full bearing. 1t is esti-
mated that in three years there will be
$500,0O0 worth of apples raised from
trees now growing. When all the 10000
acres under ditch are brought up to the
average of 500 per acre of production,
Hood River will be having an income
of $4,000 year.
But as indicated above, the amount
of money brought in is not the final
point. 1t is how many people the in
come is able to support or, not taking
time for that now, how many people
it can support in health and comfort,
and at a high standard of living. The
demonstration for the results of inten-
sive cultivation at Hood River are, in
this view, even more satisfactory.
Indeed, they are quite startling. The
population of the valley is given at
1850. This is for about 80, of 81 square
miles of land. This may be remem-
bered, in round numbers, as $50 persons
to the square mile. Counting that the
land is as yet but one-fourth cultivated,
under the intensive agriculture, the
population could raise to 800 persons to
the square matchmaking due allowance
for increasing the numbering, as it may
be done in the adjoining lands. But at
present one square mile is made to sup
port $50 persons, or about one person to
four acres. But SO far as income is
concerned the showing is still better
$500,000 supports $500 persons-two-
thirds being on the farms and one-third
in the town doing the business of the
valley. By this showing $ll0 year is
made to maintain one inha6itant-who |
are, as any at Hood River could testify, |
we'll housed, well clad, we'll educated,
and living at good standard.
These figures would seem at first as
almost contradictory. One hundred
and ten dollars each would indicate not
over $500 a year as the income of a
family. But when it is remembered
that this is the money income, and that
much of the living of the family is pro-
1,,n.1 hn 20 thia 10 aouslY,
planned. Vegetables, fruit, milk, butter,
and eggs, and some grain all come out
side OF what is estimated as "income,"
when applied to home consumption.
Water, fuel, and house rent are also all
provided outside of the general Gin
come" But this would also be so in |
any community living by intensive
farming.
We may be able from time to time to |
indicate how this same idea in Clatsop |
county might work equally good re-
suits. 1t is quite true that here, at less |
expense for cultivation in some ways, |
We have 100000 to 100000 acres of land
that will produce as much, acre for acre,
as any in Hood River. We have also
now in Astoria, and the surrounding
country, an income eight times that OF
Hood River. If we followed here some
plan that would cause one person to live
here for every $40 income to the COM
munity, we should have larger popu-
lation in Clatsop county. But we throw
these out rather as hints for nvestiga-
tion than as proved conclusions. Yet
what any visitor may see at Hood River
will afford much food for thought for
those who would like to see their own
community doing the most it can with
its resources, and making its income do
all it can in sustaining thriving popu-
lation.
Insomnia And Indigestion Cured.