The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-15
AGRICULTURE AND DAlRYlNG
Brief Description of the Grand Natural
Resources of Ciatsop County With
Some of the inducements Offered for
Intending investors and Settlers,

matter TO SEND tflal thlS uEiel sldte
ment of facts will probably answer
most of the questions asked.
Astoria is a city of $4,000 inhabit-
ants, situated near the mouth Of the
Columbia river the county of ClatsopI
being bounded on the north by the
Columbia river and on the west by
the Pacific ocean. The county, inelud-
ing the city, has population of about
10000. The chief industries are fish'
ing and lumber, although there is room
on the fertile plains beautiful valleys,
through which mountain streams run
on its rolling hills and rich meadows
for al least 5000 families who desire
10 engage in agricultural pursuits,
Land can be purchased for from IS to
500 per acre according to location and
improvements made. Government land
in easy access to the markets can be
had for s1.25 an acre.
At the present time there are not
sufficient farm products raised in the
county to supply the Astoria markets,
and two thirds of all the potatoes,
vegetables, fruit and dairy produce Is
shipped in from. eastern oregon, the
willamette valley and California. The
principal reason why more of its peo-
pie have not engaged in the agrieul-
tural and dairying business is because
a large number are engaged exclusive
" in the fishing industry. This in
dustry supports nearly 1000 families
in the county.
Those who engage exclusively in
farming making a good living and find
a ready market for every dollars worth
of produce that can be raised. Potatoes
is one of the most profitable crops, as
an acre of land will yield from $50 to
200 sacks, which bring from IS cents
to 81 in the markets. Small vegetables
and fruits grow in abundance ,requir-
ing very little care, and bring a good
price, making it profitable undertak-
ing. Small fruits grow in great pro-
fusion, but not one tenth enough Is
raised to supply the home market.
Dairying is another profitable busi-
ness and in connection with the poultry
business an industrious man can make
fortune in few years as butter, eggs
brtyar 5n1fhIa h. Y,rfq.s tnav
do in the east and there is a market
for all that can be produced. There
is not sufficient butter made in Clat-
sop county to supply the restaurants,
over two-thirds of all consumed being
shipped in from outside towns and
from California. Merchants, hotels
and restaurants pay farmers from %
to 30 cents a pound eggs sell for from
20 to 25 cents dozen; chickens sell
for from $3.50 to Sc dozen. Turkeys
bring Is to IS cents pound. The cost
Of living, aside from farm products is
no higher than in any of the eastern
states.
Business Of all kinds is represented
in Astoria, some of the larger stores
carrying from $4,000 to 100000 in
stocks, and the prices for dry goods,
clothing. boots and shoes and hard
ware are no higher than in eastern
cities. The school facilities are equal
TO those of any city of its size in the
east. Churches are represented by al
most every denomination and there are
at least 30 secret societies and lodges.
There is one commercial organization,
the Astoria Progressive Commercial!
Association, and intending investors
and home seekers can obtain infOr-
nation from them.
The climate Of Astoria and Clatsop
county is the most salubrious of any in
the world. The summers are beauti-
full, it never getting too warm to be
uncomfortable cool, refreshing sea
breeze from the ocean sweeps away
all malaria is healthful and invigor.
ating. The winters are mild, the aver
age temperature being from as to g.
degrees above zero. An idea Of the
climate may be obtained from the fact
that those engaged in raising small
vegetables plant every month in the
year and the market is supplied every
day with fresh vegetables. There is
never to exceed a week of what may
be termed cold weather, and then the
thermometer never goes below 20 de-
grees above zero.
There is an abundance of work here
for mechanics and laborers at good
wages. Carpenters receive from $3.50
to $3.50 a day; masons from $3.50 to
IS; common laborers from 81 to $3.50
while those engaged in the fishing in.
dustry make from 5000 to $4,000 every
fishing season which lasts about four
months.
There are six saw mills at or near
Astoria employing nearly 1000 men