THE WEST SHORE.
873
by intelligent dealers that it has not been in excess of
the rapidly increasing demand for meat food, but, on the
contrary, has been in a smaller ratio. There must be a
limit reached before long, for ranges have limits, and
overcrowding them causes serious deterioration of their
value and capabilities for grazing. Settlement is making
groat inroads upon them, and it seems as though grave
complications were imminent Thousands of miles of
wire fence hedge in the plains, much of it encompassing
millions of acres to which the owners of the fence have
no equitable claim. Already fence cutting has become
common, and is repressed by the stockmen in tlio same
summary manner in. which they deal with tlio older
offence of cattle and horse stealing. What will be the
condition of the industry ten yours from now it is impos
sible to foresee, but it is easy to predict somo most
radical changes.
The Board of Trade of this city has at last inaugu
rated a movement which should have boon in good work
ing order a year ago. When the Northern Pacific was
thrown open to traffic thore should have boon a bureau of
immigration organized and prepared to tako the Cold in
the interest of Oregon and Washington. This fact was
recognized by observing men, was frequently spikon of
by men interested in the development of this region, and
received occasional prominence in the press; but no steps
wore taken to accomplish that end. Thore should be a
Stato board of immigration, supplied with the moans to
properly collect and collate information reliable facta
in regard to the resources of every section, and espocially
plats showing the location of every dosirablo acre of land
that can be homesteadod, pre-empted or purchased. This
office should be undor the charge of a man of integrity
and well informed upon tho subject with which he lias to
deal, with as many intelligent and competent assistants
as may be required. Representatives should 1ms stationed
at New York, Chicago and, if possible, othor dosirablo
points, to call tho attention of the dosirablo jortion of
those contemplating a removal to the West to tlio advan
tages of this region, and give them tho assurance tlmt
when they reach Portlan I they will find tho most minute
and reliable information, courteous treatment and hoarty
encourncomoiit Pendimr action by the Legislature on
this most important subject, tho Board of Trado lias
deemed it wise to inaugurate the movement at it own
excuse, rightfully assuming that the development of
this region means growth Biid increased prosjiority to the
inotroiKilis. There is little doubt that an adequate bj
propriation will be made by the Legislature which will
soon uuntnl.la t Kulmn. Mr. C. B. Carlisle, who has
written much altout the resources of this region, and is
emineutly qualified for the position, has been selected te
manage the bureau under the direction oi a speciw w
mittee of the Board.
The press of the Northwest lias repatedly urged
in formnra tl.a iKwiwitv of diversifying their products.
They have time and"agai wintl out the folly of
one-crop system, from tho baleful effects of wbiclj we are
now suffering. The only sure avenue of relief is for us
to produce everything tlio homo market demands, so that
tho millions of dollars annually sent away to purchase
things which could !m) easily produced at homo might Iro
retained horo m circulation. On this subject the Xorlh.
iiwslcrn Miller sayB: "California pniors are urging the
fanners of that Coast to diversify tlioir cros and to raise
thoir own meat Oregon papers tell of heavy receipts of
Eastern and California butter, etc., and scold the farmers
of that State for not engaging in dairying and atock
raising. A few Dakota papers tell tho farmers who now
buy imported butter, eggs and meat that they will never -
make much money until they produce abundance of these
things at home. All of which is trim as gospel, and if
tho farmers of the sections mentioned heed and act umiii
this cheap and good advice there will soon 1st no cry of
dull times in thoir locality. But tho farmers aro slow to
follow such advice. Hero in Minnesota, where activo
men and influential paxrs have Imxui tailoring for years
to implant the idea that diversified farming is an absolute
necessity, there aro thousands who will not engage in it,
and tho result is low prices for their staple crop, and
general complaint. There must 1st a change of a most
swooping character Isiforo prossrity and contentment
aro attained by the men who aro to-day suffering from
the results of the ono-crop system."
Ttiv nmuniil ai.nmin luis niniilv demonstrated the ureal
future of tho fruit industry in this region. There is
lUlU ,1,ml,t Mint tliriiiHiiliils of trees will In) set out the
coming year, not only west of tho Cascades, but on tlnste
fertile and sheltered river bottoms of F.astern Oregon
and Washington, Idaho and Montana. Cam in selecting
. - ... . till... ! I il. ..1 ....I..
kind and quality oi trees snoiim imi i'xomii, umi muy
tin mo fruits best sailed to the climate, ami for which
imirket. lie selected One llilliortniit
consideration is tho condition of tlm young trim itself.
It has lswiiiio settled hy experience mai younif ir nri
..it....i..1 1, ..liniutio inlluoneos: that a trim will thrive
Miim.tn "J
better in its own climate than In one radically different
For this reason orehardists who 'plant trww which were
grown in this region will probably iiiix-t with a higher
measure of success than those who imporc mom in mn
East There are enough good nurseries here to supply
tho demand -oiio wqcially which is first class in wry
particular, that of the Hon. Philip Hit, m-ar Wslla
Walla. Mr. Rita has given hi js.rsoiial attention fat tlm
i : ... -lit vears. is a tfelitleinail f wide
acquaintance and unquestioned integrity, ami has a
nursery beyond whirl it wouiu i usmiw ir ....... -
to look.
The Oregon 8h..rt Lino (Union Pacific) and Oregon
Railway 4 Navigation Company have joined trails at
Hiintiiigteii, u Knake River, in JUr dainty, Oregon,
ami we now h a now overland route fat th hast
Through trains will U put on l)ec.'ml-r 1. Aid.t from
tho benefit this city d-riv-s from m-w -.iiig two
distinct Milt. . ' e-'dii"1'.. it rive """"-