THE WEST SHORE.
355
vember, 1885, when a total of a trifle more than eight
inches was measured. There are no destructive tor
nadoes in summer nor cold blasts in winter. Mer
cury seldom gets below ten degrees above zero, al
though snow usually falls to the depth of a few inch
es in the winter time, and remains on the ground sev
eral days. There is a oool breeze in the afternoon and
evening of the hottest days in summer. Crops grow
without irrigation, but gardeners sometimes resort to
artificial means of watering their plants so as to pro
long the bearing season or to get more than one yield
in a season from the same ground. The streams
flowing from the adjacent hills make irrigation con
venient for those who choose to employ it
In the rough land bordering the valley there is
an attractive field for stockmen. Generally the local
ity can be chosen so that by going into the mountains
in summer time and coming out in the valley in the
winter cattle find good
grazing the entire year.
The stock interests of
the Rogue river coun
try are quite- extensive
and profitable. There
are large numbers of
sheep on the ranges,
and the wool product
is said to be the best
in the United States.
It is entirely free from
sand and burrs and the
sheep are well bred.
The animals are almost
entirely high grade me
rinos, but steps are be
inir taken to introduce
long wool breeds to mix with them and bring the grade
down to a more profitable basis according to the pres.
ent tendency of the markot Jackson oounty, in
which Ashland is situated, and its sinter county in
the Rogue river country, Josephine, are among the
important wool producers of the state. The woolen
mill now in operation at Ashland does not by any
means consume all the product that caturally goes to
that market . ,
Ashland has one of the best water powers in the
state, Ashland creek, which flows through the con
ter of the city, has a fall of about two hundred and
fifty feet to the mile, so the water can be used several
time. M it passes through the city. The volume is
sufficient at all seasons for manufacturing purpose
It is to easily controlled that it has a special Ttlot
for manufacturers of modest means who are in soarcn
of a place for safe and profitable investment There
are many choice sites along the stream and conveni-
a n I ;:;;!: in; ( i
AV n if (I ' - r
AKIILAND WIMM.M MII.U.
ent to railroad transportation where furniture factor
ies, Homing mills, woolen mills, machine shops and
many other manufacturing institutions oould be op
erated to advantage. It is a live and progressive
community and inducements are offered that are
worthy of careful consideration by investors.
The city of Ashland is a most pleasant plaoo of
residence. It has broad, well graded streets and the
genoral appearance of the town impresses one with a
sonse of its neatness and hospitality. It is laid off
on a gonerous plan and some of the avenues lead
through peach orchards and fields of waving grain
even within the city limits. Many pleasing architec
tural features are observed in both publio and pri
vate buildings. Every houso has its lawn and flower
and vegetable garden. The business streets are full
of life and energy and an air of comfort and refine
ment pervades the homes of all the people,
The education of the
ohildren of Ashland is
well provided for. The
city has two publio
school buildings and
seven teachers are em
ployed. A state nor
mal school is maintain
ed and liberally patron
ized. There are also
throe private schools,
inoluding a kindergar
ten. The oity has a
large 'public hall and
six handsome church
odifloes belonging to
the Roman Catholics,
Methodists, (Presbyte
rians, Baptists, Congregationalists, Dunkards. The
Episcopalians have an organisation and will soon
build a church. Of fraternal and benevolent socl
eties there are lodges of Masons, Odd Follows and
Knights of Pythias. The city has one of the best
companies of militia in the state. A publio reading
room under the auspioes of the Woman's Christian
Temporanoe Union and the libraries of the different
societies place good literature within ths reach of
everyone. The board of trade numbers among its
members the live business men of the city, and it Is,
of course, a flourishing organisation and one that is
of inestimable value in promoting the welfare of the
community.
A very important consideration in connection
with ths bealthfulness of Ashland Is the abundant
supply of ths purest water that Is furnished its dtl
wna Good water is something that western cities
iometimes lack, but the water supply of Ashland can