East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-09-22

of the cattle country; the rainfall
varies from inches in the fertile
irrigated districts around Hermiston
to 70 icnhes on the potato farms
above Weston; the number of con-
100 at Cmatilla, 10 at Echo. l4g
at Pendleton, to 1913 at Weston.
While the soil varies from sand tc
heavy clay loan, in all sections it
is wonderfully productive, the only
limiting factor b ing moi ture. whic h
In the grain belt is supplied by
ample rainfall, and in the fruit and
diversified farming section by irri-
CATION systems.
The rolling plateau grain belt of
| matilda county extends from the
Washington state line north heast of
Milton to Echo and from the Co
lumbia river in the northwest to the
Blue Mountains in the east, COM
priseS an area of nearly Il half
million acres. This area has long
been Considered one of the highest
yielding wheat producing sections in
the Northwest. While the average
yield, l909-1919 was % bushels per
acre, the 1921 crop reached 80
bushels per acre or over 100000
bushels. And the average" does not
tell the full story as it includes
some marginal lands where the yield
runs as low as ten bushels. 1t is
safe to say that there are at least
$4,000 acres around Pendleton, He
liX. Athena and Weston averaging 40
bushels per acre. As the summer
fallow system, by which one half the
land is plowed early in the spring,
and worked throughout the summer
to control the weeds and conserve
moisture for fall seeding while the
other half is producinga crop, is
practiced the farm units are large.
There are about 800 farms with be-
tween $50 and 499 acres; 800 with
between 500 and 999 acres; and ESQ
EARNS with over 1000 acres.
Yields Large.
The large units and the high yield
make the bushel cost of production
low. Big outfits:
gang plows, multiple harrows, weed
RS and drills, and combine harvest
RS drawn by powerful caterpiller
ype engines or many span or horses
n mules, prevail, Farmers get
long with a minimum amount of
nan labor and yet complete each
peration in season.
Nearly all the wheat produced is
all planted, about 85 per cent white |
lub, or Hybrid 12S, Jenkins and Red
haff varieties. West of Pendleton
he Turkey Red acreage is rapidly /
rivaling for quality and .
ield any other hard red winter
heat section in the state. The Pi-
1t Rock district is noted for its
ne milling Bluestem. OF the small
mount of spring-grown wheat, Baart
the most popular. Other varie
es grown are Red Russian, Triplet,
ybrid 143, Marquis, Forty Fold,
alt Lake Club, Cox, Calgalos and
ard Federation, but the first named
lrieties have become pretty well
In fact, there are
bout 400 square miles within ra-
ius of fifteen miles of Helix in
hich more than 80 per cent of the
heat is Hybrid 12S.
AS harvest begins early in July,
hen the demand for the export
Thite Club is strong, the farmers
enerally obtain a price above the
yerage. With sufficient farm equip
ent for hauling and ample storage
opacity in the fifty warehouses and ;
evators on good lines of railroads,
lie wheat can be placed on the
arkct rapidly. Mills at Freewater,
thena, Pendleton, Helix and Echo
cate healthy demand for the best
illing wheat.
OF the $4,000 bushels of barley
own on $4,000 acres, most is
own in the vicinity of Pilot Rock,
though there are scattered fields
/ over the grain belt. About g. I
20 acres of Rye, used chiefly for I
,sture or on the lands being pre- I
lred for irrigation, is grown.
While the rainfall is sufficient and
,nditions good for growing alfalfa
parts of most of the wheat farms
mbine harvesting makes it more
'actical to cut for hay a combine
idth around the outside of the
elds. In this manner over $4,000
ms on nearly $4,000 acres are put
} for feed.
Possibilities for Development.
In spite of the high state Of culti- I
tion and paratively big land
lues, Umatilla county wheat lands
esent good opportunities for the \;
vestor and settler. Like other sec
)ns, duriLg the war period, land
.lucs advanced rapidly, hut with
@ price of wheat declining TO
e-war basis grain land valuations
I've become more reasonable. Tn
ct. when the high yield, the low
,st of bushel production, the good
arketing advantages, and the fact
.at the district is not subject to