Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1914-05-26
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east and in Oregon. He spent much
time looking over Polk county terri
tory and finally came to the conclus-
ion that, while there was little or no
encouragement in the hope of immedi-
ate success, by the proper effort and
constant work all the time, the farm
els would become interested and a
good business would be the result.
This belief was based principally upon
the farmers in Minnesota, who, 25
vars ago, were about bankrupt from
wheat raising, and who, just as soon
as they abandoned that occupation and
got into the dairy business, were out
of debt and had started bank ac-
counts.
:" know of only one man in Polk
county who had as many as ten cows
when this creamery was started" said
Mr.. Eldridge, "and that was Otis
Wolverton, Of Monmouth. Most of
the farmers had one or two, and four
or five in the hands of one man were
rare exceptions. The first winter that
we operated we averaged about S5
pounds of butter day. We are MAX
ing at the present time approximate
ly 5000 pounds of butter a day, or,
putting it into dollars and cents, APP
proximately $16S0 per day. Over
1900 patrons now send us their
cream" The output of the Indepen-
dence creamery is now the largest
in the state. In 1912 its sales were
100000.
Hay Now is Stored.
A large per cent of the yearly crop
of hay in this county goes for diff
ferent purpose than it once did. Hay,
formerly sold, is now stored away in
the barns of the farmers, and fed to
cows during the winter. Last sum-
mer the demand for hay was strong.
Buyers from outside districts were
canvassing the various sections, but
very little was for sale. Farmers at
that time were busy providing more
room for hay and more stalls for
cows. As the result liverymen also
had to do more soliciting than usual
in obtaining their annual supply. A
wide range of feed had been chosen by
the farmers and dairymen for their
herds. In the fall many acres were
placed into silos and large quantities
of pumpkins were stored away tenn
porarily for feeding. Beets also were
in the schedule. AT the present time
there are tons of kale being used in
Polk county and it is so abundant that
wagon loads are available at small
cost Kale has proved good for cows
on account of its qualities for pro-
ducing rich milk and the small ex-
pense required in growing.
Many dairymen are receiving
cream checks amounting to
over 800, and some far in excess
Of that figure. They have secured
much valuable information through
The extension department of the Ore
son Agricultural College, and an OBJ
of the leading dairies will
show that new ideas have been ap-
piled. The industry occupies the en-
ire county, although the south sec .
ion constitutes the largest number
Of districts. Along any road in the ,
county farmers may be, seen hauling
their cans of cream.
The increase in the annual output
If butter for the last two years has
,een remarkable, and this has been
brought about by more favorable com
litions for keeping cows. The cream
'ry men aid the prospective dairymen
~ securing cows for them, and when
his is done the highest grade Of stock
S brought out. A splendid spirit pre-
rails between the men who produce
he cream and those who manufacture
he butter, for each is interested in
he welfare of the other When the :,
reamery puts out an improved brand !,
# butter, the dairyman is benefited ;,
" a raise in the price paid for his ;,
ream. The product from the cream ;,
ries has a ready market, and consum-
RS in many parts of the state are on
he lists of the concerns.
For dairying not much land is re-
uired Money is being made at the
usiness on tracts of land of from Is
D 25 acres. A piece large enough to
aise an adequate supply of hay, corn,
ale, beets and pumpkins is necessary.
he feed needed, outside of that which
an be raised by the farmer himself,
not large in many cases.
Real Center In South.
The real center of dairying in Polk
1unty lies toward the southern part. Z
Though the industry is represented 7
| all sections. The Luckiamute Val II
y is gaining rapidly in its import n II
nee as dairy district. There are II
,res of pasture lands and fields with NJ u.
lie proper vegetation for grazing pur- :, u
oses. The land is watered sufficient II
by small streams. The number "
high-grade Jersey cows in the v, "
erds of the dairymen in the Luckia- Ill
ute country is growing each year as -.
ed and room permits. 81
Daring in Polk county is being a. a.
in several ways. One of IL
lese is the latest and best method VI
II keeping the boys on the farm to %
It them interested. 1t is the study "
dairying, introduced in the rural nn