Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-02-05
BRIGHT PROSPECTS AHEAD,
STATES DUN'S.

A rosy view of the future is taken
for Oregon by r. G. Dun & Co. in
their semi-annual trade review of
conditions in the northwest. lndica-
tions are that a renewal OF activity
has set in throughout the country
and prosperity is at hand. The fol-
lowing are conclusions of the report:
THE prospects for 1914 in the Pa
cific northwest are shown to be ia
vorable by the tenor of reports re-
ceived from correspondents repre-
sentative of the entire territory.
Conservative buying for the past two
years has reduced stocks of merchan-
disc. Selling associations have al
ready in some lines solved the diff
Guilty of finding markets and in 9th
ers progress is being made in open
ing up new fields or. regulating out
put. The increasing outward move
ment Of products is strengthening
the demand for merchandise and the
incoming year opens with the prom
Use of gradual improvement.
Conditions in Jackson county are
summarized as follows:
Ashland--Apples, pears, peaches
show increase of Is per cent to 40
per cent. Hay and grain have in
creased about 10 per cent. The
small amount of fall-sown grain is
in excellent condition. During the
year a cement plant at Gold Hill and
an additional cannery have been es-
tablished. The general condition of
farmers is good, except in case of
those who bought small tracts at
high prices and are now very hard
up. There is not much change in
amounts of money loaned on mort
cages. Farmers are rapidly turning
their attention to diversified farm
ing. Merchants are about in the
usual condition financially. There is
some slight reduction in the amount
of book debts carried. The outlook
for 1914 shows signs of improve
ment.
Butte Falls-This district is en-
tirely devoted to cattle and timber.
Farmers are in good condition and
merchants are carrying heavier
stocks on account OF more business
and have less on their books. Pros
poets for 1914 are very good.
Central Point-Slight increase in
wheat crop; 10 per cent increase in
corn and wool and 30 per cent in
apples and pears. Fall-sown grain
is in fair condition. Farmers are in
moderately good financial condition
and reducing their indebtedness. The
condition of merchants is good and
their stocks and book accounts are
about normal.
Jacksonville-Grain shows an in
crease of 10 per cent. hay 20 per
cent and fruit so per cent. About
1000 acres of fall-sown grain is in
fine condition. 4 grape juice and
canning factory started at Jackson
vile this year The good crops and
good prices of the past year have
enabled farmers to decrease their
mortgages and they are giving more
attention to diversified farming than
ever before. Merchants are well off
financially, with usual stocks and
fewer accounts on their books than
before. The prospects for 1914 are
good.
Medford-Nearly 900 cars of
fruit were shipped from this point,
which is gain of over 25 per cent
over 1912. The gross value of the
output this year is approximately
100000, compared with $500, 900
for 1912. Not much attention is
paid TO grain growing. There is
some lumber and cement production.
Farmers are reducing their indebted
ness and are improving their meth
DDS. over thirty carloads of hogs
were shipped from the county during
the year. within the past five years
farmers bought their bacon, eggs
butter, etc, which they now. produce
at home. The condition of mer-
chants is much improved over that
of one year ago. owing to the better
return for the fruit crop. They are
buying more conservatively and have
lighter stocks, and are carrying fewer
uppaid accounts on their books The
improvement in the methods Of
farming make the outlook for 1914
brighter.