The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1909-04-29


which has been unprecedented and
has put new life into rich section of
this famous valley which has lain al
most dormant since II was settled
except such small improvements as
the old settlears have been able to do
with limited means.
This is especially true of the SEQ.
tion between the East and West
Forks. When the Mt. Hood road WIS
put through to Dee it afforded some
relief to the settlers within few miles
of the road and the last year has wit
messed considerable work on the log
ged off lands between the Middle and
West Forks near the town OF Dee
which the Oregon Lumber Co. have
put on the market in small tracts.
lhe station at Dee however is in
canyon and the grade up from the
station to the farms in the upper
conutry was somewhat of a draw back,
and there was but small area OF de-
veloped country.within reach
The extension of the IT ad to the
base line this spring, however, has had
d wonderful effect on the country
which will be served by stations
which will put the patrons of the road
road over easy grades and good roads,
1t opens up possibilities that did not
exist before, encourages the settle
ment of the country and land Is
changing hands readily now at $3.50 to
$3.50 an acre which we're drag on the
market q couple of years ago at $40 to
$50,
The new terminus of the road is at
the base line and is but three miles
over a good road to the settlers at
the foot OF China Hill. The Mt. Hood
postotiice wild be iess than two miles
from station, while every farm Ee.
tween the Middle and East Forks will
be within a drive of five to thirty
minutes from station.
Iue upper country Is the largest
part of the valley. The land is uni.
form in quality, one part of 1t looking
like another. There is good depth Of
soil, of the kind generally known as
"shot lund", easily worked, and nearly
the whole county li"s practically lev
ell, with a gradual slope towards the
mountain which makes irrigation
easy. There are less deep ravines
than IN the lower valley, about the
only depressions being those through
which few trout creeks run. while
the distances between the forks OF
Hood river widen out In the upper
valley until there are thousands OF
acres in one body, allowing cross
roads between sections in straight
lines that render communication be-
tween neighrborhoods az easy as in a
prairie country. All these ara ad-
vantages indeed, and are Inducements
to the settling up OF the country.
The question OF land clearing in thu
upper valley has been serious draw
back heretofore. The great distance
from market did not permit of cutting
the timber into wood, and until the
saw mill at Dee afforded market fol
good saw timber, the heavy timber
was a burden on the land too great
for extensive clearing. With the rail
II DAD extension, the Oregon Lumber
Co. can ford to buy such of the tim.
ber as they can use, and are doing so.
he same road will also afford an out
let TOR oordwood which can be made
of trees not merchantable for lumber.
In many cases this price will nearly
or quite pay for the clear ing the land
Another advantage of the upper
country is the abundance OF water
Being located near the source OF sup
ply, the immense glaciers of Mount
Hood, irrigatiug bitches are maintain
ed at a nominal cost, many OF thu
early settlers having private ditoheI
which furnish them more free wate
than they can use, while ditch com
panies have for sale water at one-thirt
the price of that in the lower valley
On account of the more level country
there is practically no tiuming to b'
done, the water running freely IL
open dirt bitches, while 1t can b
directed 10 any part OF the farm by
plow furrow.
The scenic beauty of the uppe
country has an attraction all its own
The outlines OF Mount Hood as seel
from distance are brought out will
a claaruess In the upper country tina
reveals the towering sDow-cappet
mountains in all its majestic gran
deuI. The higher elevation bring
with it an exhiliarating atmosphere
the pure spring water Is colder, tn
mountains which form the horsesho
at Mount Hood are higher, and th
whole scene expands on grand scale
lhe future of the upper valley J
now we'll assured. There is alread
sufficient development under way 3
ensure the settling up of the countr
and warrant the extension of the rail-
road line OF six miles, and which mus
ultimately go farther. The privntion
OF the early settlers are being relievs
by congsnial neighbors, bette
schools, more roads, a market 10
wood aud saw timber, telep an
the many little things that make III
worth living. A good start has bee
made. There are sufficient tearin
: orchards In each different section I
demonstrate what the country will dt
The disadvantages or uncertainties
county and crop have all been toun
out by those early settlers who has
brayed the trials 0f the pioneer In
somewhat isolated country, and I'll
investor With means is more willin
TO pay the advanced pi Ice for the Ian
nov than to risk the uncertainties I
the future at one.l liith the cost fe
years ago.
The honest teader is able to dispot
of part OF his ranch at a good pri,
and with the funds provided clear u
the balance of bis place. lie is n
- complisbing more In years tin
than he was able to do in the te
years precious, and th o condition
working transformation IN I'll
country among the old homesteads,
we'll as in the new homes being mat
in the wilderness by those with meal
who are taking no Iisk ot the futur
There are a tew, however, to who
belong great credit in going in
ad vance of the latter class. Tho
4 who had the means 10 develop tl
country and who we're far sight,
enough to back their Judgment wi
outlay of cash They have secure
considerable land at low prices al
are now taking their profit, yet 1t
to their credit that their work induc
others TO follaw, and the profits a
iuatlv their due, q, ID. WoodWor