Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1916-09-19

varieties, NUS, rooI crops, IoIdSc
plants, corn, hops, and scores Of other
products in all variety; while the
landscape is dotted with well-watered
pasture lands where stock is fattening
on natural grasses rich in both milk
and flesh producing properties.
"Across the vista of pretty farms
may be seen the sheltering mountain
ranges, clad in the greenery OF virgin
forests. To the west the Coast range
that stays the force of ocean gale, yet
permits the welcome rain clouds to
pass; to the east tower the Cascades
with their saw-edged, snow-tipped
peaks, the source Of the many pictur-
esoue streams that water the broad
expanse of this valleys floor. Be
tween these timbered eminences, for
a distance of one hundred and fifty
miles, lies snugly tucked away the
Willamette valley, the garden spot OF
the sunset land Of opportunity, cap
able Of sustaining a greater popula-
ton than any other area Of similar
vastness on the American continent.
Endowed with fruitful soil, an ideal
climate, and scenery Of rare beauty,
the Willamette valley appeals as a
desirable place for home and profit
Here the fertility of the soil wrests
from Central Russia and that terri
tory Immediately adjacent to the riv'
er Nile in Egypt their distinguishment
for possessing the most productive
lands on either hemisphere. The soils
Of the Willamette valley are equal to
any demand that may be made upon
them; and the day is not far distant
when the vast acreage now merely
scratched, will, by more intensive
methods, give forth added millions tt
the markets of the world.
"With its approximately 5,OOO,oo'
acres, extending southwark from
point where the waters of the beautl
full Willamette river commingle witt
those of the picturesque Columbia
the Willamette valley has popula
ton. exclusive of the metropolis o.
Oregon. of about 100000, or one
fourth of the population of the entire
state with its land area OF 96,9o'
square miles. Brought to its fulles
development, this remarkably produc
tive valley land will one day supper
100000 prosperous, happy and con
tented human beings, whose life vii
embody the highest and best things Il
civilization. Notwithstanding 1t
sparsely settled state, comparatlVel
! speaking. the Willamette valley l
now marketing foodstuffs valued a
$40 100000 besides abundantly feed
ing its own people. Consider 1or
moment what this means. An annua
cash income of $42.5O per acre on tn
cultivated lands, or $212.50 from tarf
products alone for every inhabltan
Taking into account that there are ap
proximately $4,000 farms in the WI
: lamette valley, only simple mathema
tical calculation is necessary to shoN
that each farm receives an averag
annual cash income of $1,933.80 fror
o surplus products of the soil.
n "Not many decades have elapse
since the great Mississippi valley
Il vastly rich and prosperous, was tn
S acknowledged garden place OF tn
/ world, but comparison reveals the sig
:, nifcant fact that its glory in this re
e spect has followed the Star of EmplT
= to the great Pacific northwest. Th
n average value per acre OF farm pre-
o duets in five of its richest states--MlS
y souri,. Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas an
( Louisiana-is only $3.50 as agaln'
d the Willamette valleys $42.5O. Sta
t tistics also tell us that the ayerae
e Mississippi valley farm has an annu'
e income of only slightly more tina
n 5000. or about $1,000 less than I'll
it average farm income of the william
le cite valley. The fact that this valle
a a has the greatest diversity OF crop pt'
II duetion of any other section on u !,
S, continent makes it apparent why IL
e, pioneer took possession and is rootf
r TO this land of promise. A half Gel
le turv of standardization has made IL
d. Willamette valley vital, living Ian
r. and placed it on a high plane as
l. food producer. The same redundal
re energy now being expended by tile
I'd of the soil in less favored states. ne
ce ouieklv brings independence and Wi
be Il the personal enjoyment of conten
rd ment and inspiring liberty. Every co
ey ditiou. too, is a health producer
well as a wealth producer. Only
n comparatively few months reslden
re in this elimatieally favored LOGAN
We and reiuvenating physical and menl
he changes are wrought; where prevlo'
Tx " diligent application was drudge
ut II is here found delight; tew tro
h bles darken the horizon, for the OF
f: look is a rainbow of promise; indl
tie tyx Is seasoned with the impelh
L