East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-04-04
Pendleton, April 2

Pendleton, April 3.
Editor East Oregonian:-Th cues
tion which seems uppermost in the
different sections of the state at the
present time is how best can they Sc
cure their share of the desirable
homeseekers who are now coming
west by the thousands.
Umatilla county with its two mill
lion acres of land can. by the adoption
of modern methods of diversified
farming, support at least four times
its present population.
Then Pendleton should be a CITY of
at least $4,000 inhabitants. We have.
comparatively, a very small amount
OF rich bottom land along our vari-
Gus rivers and streams. The OPERA
tion of our best wheat land is prof-
liable but not capable under its pres
ent extensive management, of main
tanning a sufficient population to in
sure permanent or lasting prosper
ity to the community.
The stock interests from a range
standpoint, does not add materially
10 our population. Our timber and
mining industries are limited. Now
what inducements can we offer to
the farmers of the East, of moderate
means to come and settle among US?
They, as a rule, are frugal indus
trious men, who are not much in
clined to take great risks, but are
content with smaller profits than it
takes to satisfy the native western
man.
Raising wheat exclusively looks
risky and expensive to them. Stock
raising, by the range system, is new to
them and also looks hazardous. In
fact, a country that will admit of
condensed and diversified farming is
what most Of these newcomers are
looking for. The next question Is:
Will Umatilla county admit of this
kind of farming?
Thirty-five and 40 years ago the
man in Iowa who undertook to dem
onstrate that red clover, timothy and
fruit could be produced there, was
laughed at by his neighbors
Today the most profitable field
crop there is red clover, and the land
that is producing two tons. of clover
there, per acre is selling from $75 to
500 per acre.
A few days ago l examined a patch
of alfalfa on the vacant lot Just north
of DR.. Coles residence on North Main
street. 1t has had no care and has
been there for IL or IS years. The
soil is not to exceed three feet in
depth and Is poor at that; but this
alfalfa looks as rich and strong as any
red clover ever saw in Iowa and
believe with proper care and stand
it would produce in one crop from
one and half to two tons per acre,
besides there would be considerable
fall and winter pasture.
Dry-land alfalfa is practically the
same food for horses, cattle and hogs
as red clover, and 1 am inclined to
think it is the forage plant that will
eventually reclaim this dry land of
ours that is now considered almost
worthless.
would like to see the Fair associa-
tion or the Commercial association
take steps to demonstrate the value
of the plant.
A hundred-acre field of fine grow
ing alfalfa on some of the hills near
Pendleton would be tenfold better
advertisement than the pamphlets and
fine pictures that are being distribut-
ed to the homeseeker, and would cost
less money.
Demonstrate to the Eastern farmer
that this land will produce a crop
every year equal to their red clover
crop and he can locate here on so
acres of land and support a family
well with his cows, chickens and pigs.
Respectfully,
GEO. r. ROBERTS.
Ua. nr ConaHa TYI,;atIoa