Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-12-02
DEMONSTRATION FARM
IN MARION COUNTY
Magnificent Tract Which Surrounds
Benedictine Institution at Mount
Angel, Oregon.


1t is not generally known that Ma
rion county, Oregon, has model dem
onstratiOn farm in full operation and
without cent of cost to the public,
writes Jesse Huber in the Pacific
Monthly.
1t spreads out over 2000 acres Of
land, 700 acres of which is under cult
walton. Last season $4,000 bushels of
grain and l00C tons of hay were har-
vested thereon. Besides these there
were produced poultry, cattle, horses,
sheep, fruits, nuts and other products.
The same management has l00p
acres of grazing land up in the Cas-.
cade mountains on which $50 head OF
beef cattle and 100 dairy COWS are nov
grazing.
This large and varied agricultural
enterprise is under the direct coptrol
Of the Benedictine Fathers of Mount
Angel college and is operated in con,
nection with the college and seminary.
occupying magnificent stone struc.
ture costing 100000 and situated OF,
a high hill near Mt. Angel and com.
manding a view of the surrounding
country unsurpassed in scenic gran
deur.
met n number of the fathers at Mt.
Angel recently and found them quite
courteous and willing to explain in de-
tail what is being done in their farm.
operations and what products they
have found by experience to be most
profitably produced under willamette
valley conditions.
Father Martin, who is in full charge
of all the farm operations placed sheep
at the head Of the list for profit.
"Our flock of l56 Sheep" said ia.
ther Martin, has proved very prof
liable to Us. Last season the retcrns
from wool and lambs amounted 70
$lIO0. These sheep are cross be.
tween the Cotswold aud Rambouillet.
They not only make Il good, heays
sheep for mutton, but their wool com
mands the highest market price. Last
year we received two cents per pound
above current market quotations. The
feeding Of these sheep costs rs pipc
tically nothing as they pick up most
OF their living from the native pasture
out on tho range ! think ~ small
flock Of wcll bred sheep would be prof.
table on every furm where suitable
range is at hand -
Z" You grow cattle for beef. also.
viii you give Us your experience in
this liner" ] inquired of Father Mar.
tin.
" Certainly he said "Wc consume
about two beeves each week here NJ
the school. What beef We grow is pr
marily tc supply our own needs, which
IL true Of most Of our farm operationg
We have some 1000 acres up In the
mountains above Silverton where our
beef cattle are now grazing in fact.
we keep them there until mntured,
They do well on the mountain pastures
and need but little additional feed
throughout the year We arc partial
TO the Galloway and PolIed ANGUS
breeds for beet, They seem to do bet
ter under our conditions thnn either
the 5horthon, Durham or the Here.
fords. They mature early and are in
good flesh at almost any age.
something Of your practices IN tbis Jr.
partment"
"We keep about 100 cows far oug
supply Of milk and butter | believe
the Holstein is the hest breod Of doirv
cows They are rugged in frame, good
eaters. and will stand up well ubdcr A
long milkinp period Thcv g;vo n l,rg'
pr flow OF milk thnn nnv AZ thn ntbr,