Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-12-29
AGRICULTURAL FUTURE
Dr. James Withycombe Writes
interestingly in Rural Spirit.

uSA oSSt SiitS 10 oregon. Her
mountains are rich in mineral
wealth and are clothed in the
finest forests found on the CONT
nent, yet her greatest source of
wealth rests in her undeveloped
agriculture. Oregon with her
90, o3o square miles OF area en-
braces a wealth of rich soil,
which when properly utilized
will support in luxury millions of
our citizens. The topography of
the state is responsible for a wide
variation in climate and soil.
The two grand physical divisions
are each characterized by dis
tinctive features in agriculture.
In the Eastern division condi-
tons are exceptionally favorable
for grain and stock growing.
The Columbia river basin at
present is famous for its wheat
production. It will in the future
be equally as noted for its i'm
mense output of live stock. Agri-
culture in this section will grad
ually change to systems of gen
eral farming. This will be made
necessary for the maintenance of
soil fertility. Under such con-
dltions of farming the wealth of
agriculture will be greatly &C
CELEBRATED. Exclusive grain grow
ing is usually of short duration
in any section. The soil must
have some means for its recuper-
alton. Thus animal husbandry
in some form is the only solution
to the problem of permanently
successful farming in any grain
growing community.
The most optimistic mind can
scarcely conceive the magnitude
Of the possible development of
agriculture in the Inland Empire.
Within the next decade tens of
thousands of acres will be re-
claimed by irrigation. This will
mean the production of an i'm
mense amount of stock food. In
stead of cattle ranging on a
thousand hills they will be
found in the future on ten thous-
and modern farms. Animal hus-
bandry is the basis of successful
farming.
The great problem of immed-
late interest to the stock industry
of this state is that Of markets.
Wi bout attractive markets are
developed within the near future
the stock industry will suffer a
severe handicap. It would seem
as If the business interest of Port
land shonld be aroused from its
apparent indifference and take an
active interest in the develop
ment of good markets for live
stock. It cannot be expected
that the local consumption will
keep pace with the output for
several decades, hence outside
markets must be secured. This
will mean the establishment of
modern packing houses for the.
economical distribution of the
meat products of this state. The
markets of the Orient, Alaska
and the Pacific Coast as far south
as Central America should be.
invaded so as to find outlets of
sufficient magnitude to absorb.
the great increase of meat pro-
ducts designed to materialize in
the Inland Empire. Not only
will this increased output be
made possible by irrigation, bat
the great grain producing dis
tricts of the Columbia River basin
will also contribute their quota.
Exclusive wheat growing in these
sections will be supplanted, in a
large measure by animal hus-
bandary. Alfalfa, peas, rape,
and vetch will be produced as
rotation crops with the cereals in
this section. This will near
the feeding of great numbers OF
stock where but few are produced
at present.
Sheep husbandry, will also as
sumo a somewhat different as
pect. Wool will be made largely
Incidental to mutton production.
The grain farmer will be feed
ing large numbers on the forage
crops grown for the purpose Of
Teplenishiug his wheat land.
This will mean a large produc-
ton of mutton under more strict
" farm conditions. Instead of
the great bulk of the range sheep
being forwarded to The corr