Year: 1863

,SJudging from the past and present the
NSalla Valley has been, and still is, one of
the most inviting localities for the agricul-
tprist and his products that We have ever
known. For instance, in Walla Walla, du-
ring the winter season, eggs command the
price of from 81 to 1925 per dozen; but
ter 81 per pound, and very frequently the
supply Of both these articles falls short of
the demand, and in such cases our mer-
chants generally have a supply-which is
shipped up from below late in the fall-of
an inferior article; butter, sometimes so
rQhcid that it is not fit for table use, and
eggs, which are very frequently half spoiled
from being jostled about on their way up.
City folks must have butter and eggs and
rather than do without they will invest in a
quality of very doubtful age and flavor We
infer from the fact that these, and many
other articles which we could mention, are
shipped here from the Willamette, that the
demand for the products of the farm is
much greater than tie supply in the mar
ket In fact, almost every article that the
farmer produces commands high, not to
say exhorbitant, prices The farmer then
who cannot, or does not, make good liv-
ing and accumulate money besides, in this
valley, must have indeed very little energy
or management. Yet, notwithstanding they
have a good market at home, some farmers
there are, who have little or nothing to sell,
and complain bitterly of hard times. When
these poor farmers come to buy of the mer-
Giant or mechanic they complain even more
bitterly of the prices asked for goods and
wares, never giving thought upon the
fact that every article the townsman buys
Of the farmer he is required to pay very
high price for never giving thought up
on the fact that with little exertion and
manuel labor on his own part he would not
be compelled to pay such high prices for
goods besides having plenty of money in
bis pocket to pay the merchant ard mechan-
.ic With for his purchases. The matter of
high prices then, resolves itself down to
the simple fact, that so long as the supply
or farm products is not fully equal to the
demand, SO long will the farmer be com
PEELED to pay high prices for his merchan-
disc. It is evident that We want more far
,Iners in the valley and more energy and in
;dustry displayed by those already in the
farming business. 1t is absurd that we
should ship up from below butter, eggs,
bacon, fruit and i great many other arti-
cles that can be produced here as we'll, or
even better, than they can below. 1t will
be remembered too that for every ton of
freight shipped from below there is an OUT
lay of nearly 800. How, then, can the
bgriculturist below compete with the pro-
tIucer here, if our farmers display proper
energy and management.


To make a good market for the farmer,
we must have farm products at reasonable
and living prices. The mechanic will not
seek home in the city when it takes all
he can. earn by hard labor to pay for the
common necessaries of life, and conse-
,quently he will seek some other locality,
where he is not obliged constantly to pro-
duce his last ''red" to pay for his daily
bread.


This is certainly an inviting locality for
the farmer, and we hope soon to see all the
available lands in the valley occupied by
thrifty Industrious farmers; farmers who
who will turn their attention to raising
fruit of all kinds and producing every arti-
Gle of consumption in abundance that is
now shipped from below to supply our mar
ket'


AnRIyAL.-Col English, Inspector Cen
erai of the Pacific Department U. 5. A.,
arrived at Fort Walla Walla yester-
day. He comes up for the purpose
Of inspecting the different departments at
the post. The Col is we'll known on this
coast, having belonged to the 9th Infantry
for several years. From his knowledge Of
this section of country, we doubt not he
will be able to make wholesome sugges
films to the Denartmept in regard 10 our