Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-12-17
'olk County and Its Resources.

spective tributaries are of rich, dark
loan, exceedingly productive and
adapted to large variety of uses.
East of Dallas the valley land is a
deep, rich alluvial soil. For ages veg
etable mold has been deposited here.
1t is entirely free from gravel, stone
or hardpan, and has in some places
been farmed for 30 years without fer
tilization and still makes good crops.
The hill lands are of reddish clay
loan and suitable for fruit culture,
general farming and dairying.
Up to a few years ago this land was
not considered of much value. but
then venture was made in fruit. and
the adaptability of the soil for fruit
growing was instantly apparent. Con-
sequently, today hundreds of acres of
land, heretofore considered of but lit
tie value, are growing great fruit or
chards-plunes, apples and pears
and are valued at $400 to 5000 per
acre.
The mountainous regions in the
western portion of the county are
either covered with timber, or else
have been burned over or logged off
These lands have not been deyeloped
to any great extent, although used
in many instances as range for stock,
However, a determined effort is be-
ing made by the various commercial
bodies of the county to create inter
est in the clearing and improving Of
the logged-off lands. These lands can
be purchased at prices ranging from
$3.50 to $40 per acre. and the expense
of clearing and putting in cultivation
is variously estimated from $50 to
500 an acre.
Timber Is Important Asset.
When cleared and ready for cult
walton, this soil should produce large
crops. Soil that will raise the giant
trees that have grown there should
raise almost any crop grown in this
climate to an advantage.
: And speaking of the timber in
Polk county, it is safe to say, without
successful contradiction, that there
is no place in the world that has
body of standing timber which will
excel that which grows on the noun
tains of the Coast range. Due to the
large amount of standing timber Of
quality in this county, Polk
is much of lumber center.
Large mills at Black Rock. Falls
City and Dallas have been construct
ed to care for the lumber output. 1t
is said that soon a large mill will be
constructed at Independence. These
mills provide the various cities of the
county with a highly beneficial pay
roll.
In the fruit line Polk county is no
doubt most noted for its prunes, and
the county seat has justly been named
''The Prune Center of Oregon But
though noted far and wide for its
prunes, this is not the only fruit
which grows here to advantage and
in quality not surpassed anywhere.
Apples are of delicious flavor and
cherries raised in the eastern portion
of the county are deserving of men
ton; and the peaches and Bartlett
pears gathered here will compete in
size, quality and flavor with any rails
ed anywhere in the state.
Of the smaller fruits, strawberries
and loganberries take precedence over
all others. Polk county not only
grows the loganberry, but at Falls /
City Cliff Ppgh is taking care of the
marketing of delicious beverage de-
rived from the loganberry and known
far and wide as "Pugh s Loganbe1ry
Juice" a refreshment that promises
soon to compete on equal terms for
popular approval with California's
grape juice.
No one who knows can think of
Polk county without at the same time
of hops. Independence just
Iy lays claim to being the hop cen
ter of Oregon. "Hops" and "Inde-
pendence" go hand in hand; they
mean the same thing; they are almost
terms; and up until De-
sember 81 of this year independence
will retain its reputation earned dur