East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-05-09
A NEW zEALANDER's VIEW Of OREGON

prise that bunchgrass was lust tho
thing for stock, and Oregon advanced
to the second state for sheep in Amer.
lea. and horses became so plentiful
and cheap that often they were shot
TO make room for cattle and sheep
or driven In herds to the east to be
Killed and canned for the poor OF
Europe. Then, less than 20 years
ago, another very important discoy-
cry was made. Some ranchers began
to grow their own wheat, and
In their experiments It was found
that along the eastern slopes of the
| Blue mountains the land was not too
dry for good crops, and that irrigation
there was, unnecessary.
The Blue mountains are not very
high, not more than from 1000 to g.
600 feet, but they are high enough
to condense the moisture that es-
capes the Cascades and that comes to
that country with the northwest
winds. Grazing soon gave place to
wheat growing.
Strangest thing of all was that while
1t was the experience of the eastern
.
the best the reverse was the case
with the eastern Oregon country. The
first yields, though satisfactory, were
nothing to those that followed. I'm
der cultivation the quality of the soil
improved wonderfully.
The price of land rose as the repu-
tation of 1t spread, and fortunes were
made by settlers who had previously
been satisfied with the meanest ex-
istence. The very nature of the in
habitants altered. With prosperity
they became more thrifty Fine homes
were built, and the latest improved
farm implements were adopted. Their
children were sent to the centers for
education. until fins towns sprang UP
with high schools as well equipped as
any In the country. Many Of the set
tiers went into land speculation and
soon cleared large fortunes.
Vast Wheat Fields.
Today there is perhaps no rural
district In America so prosperous as
this wheat country. The rolling
downs which extend from near the |
Canadian border through the state of
Washington to the exterior of Oregon |
Is one vast wheat field. In extent It |
Is larger than the province of Canter-
bury. 1t supports directly several
splendid towns, such as Spokane.
Walla Walla, WASH, and Pendleton.
Ore.
only II years ago this country was
considered waste land. 1t was part
Of a bowling wilderness. One settler
tired of his Homestead" of 100 acres.
gave 1t up for cayuse' pony and sad
Ole to man who today values the
farm at $4,000. Land in this vicinity
Yields from 80 to so bushels of wheat
10 the acre. and is valued at from $50
Ia S1OO per acre. In productiveness
t ranks as the finest wheat country
n America. No fertilizers are used.
but the land is cropped and fallowed
alternately.
The steam plow is often used, and
he combined harvester and thresher
irawn by 32 horses saves the farmer
ime and money. From the summit
II Mount Hood the rolling hills of
astern Oregon, which mark this
wheat belt, are just visible. But be-
ween is that vast country, which
rom our elevated viewpoint appears
rid and bare, country until recent
Y given up to the cattle ranger and
he sheepherder. Il
But the wheat belt is extending to-
'ard this area and is already begin
ing to change the landscape. And
Tho can estimate the final result? 7
ettlement has often transformed the
owing wilderness into cheerful
indscape, and as looked down upon
his belt of arid land, wide as an
cean, l wondered how long 1t would
e before this hitherto neglected coun-
y would smile at the touch of the
and yield to him gladly
s abundant harvests.