Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-04-28
Much WEALTH in
SMALL FARMING
BY G. L. HOBART.

have, In way, come to realize some
OF It's possibilities are surprised at
resources, and such possibilities as
| can assuredly see for the future has
prompted me 10 write few words
calling attention TO some Of the things
have in mind Those who have
lived here too long and from past
experience In the great struggle with
raw undeveloped country can see
but little hope except perhaps In a
short-lived boom imported in the
minds OF some new comers' and
the inexperienced novices. That they
ere inexperienced In the hardships
which the pioneer rancher has met
with Is fortunate, for he begins anew
with great hope and perhaps more
agreeable experiences from farther
advanced section. The old-time ma
tive looks upon such corners as In
terlopers and adventurers, and Il
must be confessed sometimes with
antagonism. But the new conner"
not only bears the "old-timer" no
malice, but Is grateful to him for
his pioneer work, and is disposed to
act with him and seek his aid and
Experience In further and newer
advancement, which Is surely com
ing.
How About Dry Land?
Now, I wish to call attention to
some Of the lines along which this
newer development will take. I
think our first great need is irri- |
cation. and as II is known that we
have the water in abundance and ex-
cellent land on which to use It, II
can be but question of but short
time until this will be accomplished.
But what about the vast amount OF
land, and good land, much more In
extent than we now realize, which
Will not come under general irriga-
tlon system? Hundreds OF fine fer
tile valleys extend back Into the
mountain on all sides. These lands
VIII be sought and developed, but
they will need water TO bring them
up to a full state OF cultivation.
Now, II is well known that in this
section there is an abundance of rain
fall during the rainy season, and
water can always be had near the
surface by digging wells. This can
be pumped by electricity or gasoline
Ut great deal less expense than I'M
agined. Electric power ia cheap and
IN abundance OF power on the '
Rogue river Is going to waste. / have
experimented with pumping water
with a gasoline engine and have !.
raised 1000 gallons OF water thirty
feet for 10 cents. Government experi-
ments show that we'll on each ten
acres with a pump and power plant
mounted on trucks for moving from
one well 70 another Is the most sue
cessful method. The time Is not far .
distant when this will be taken up,
and you will see our hills and noun
tain valleys more beautiful and
equally as prosperous as the bot
tom lands. '
Offers Great Variety
Up to the present time our valley
has confined It's efforts almost en- I
tiroly to alfalfa and fruit, or very |
few OF the things to which the soil q
and climate are emlnently adapted. {
or course, we have only started and c
II has not been necessary as yet TO
experiment with other lines, but this I
valley offers vast field for var
iety OF crop culture. We have gone
ahead 80 fast that we have not had
time to think OF the future possbil-
tiles, The rancher has not gotten
ever the habit OF sitting on the fence
and watching for some outsider 20
come along and offer him fancy
price for his land, and great mrny
OF the new comers are repeating the
operation. Let us get down to bust
moss. Development and speculation
work better together anyway. Make
the land worth more In reality.
Show what can be done with II.
What can we do with our land be.
sides raising alfalfa and fruitH Not
but that these are indeed profitable
and pre-emlnently adapted to this
section, but lot us not overlook 9th
or good things, would like to sub !
NIT the following list to take up
each In turn. OF course, tho most OF
these are duly applicable 20 small
tracts personally conducted and many
involving some further work than
merely raising the raw crop. But
this is the very thing we want for the
upbuildlng and welfare OF the coun-
try, and let tho owner OF the soil
prepare hls products ready for the
market and koep 70 per cont OF the
profit In his own pocket.
Market gardening. packing and
shipping.