THE MORNING OREGONIAN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1911.
11
FRUIT INDUSTRY TAKES FIRM HOLD IN SOUTHERN OREGON
VAST ACREAGE SET TO FRUIT IN JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE. RAILROADS HELP KLAMATH. LAKE ALSO FORGING AHEAD AS NEVER BEFORE
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Pears and Apples CommanJ . - - I i tis&&$ ''YA -
Fabulous Prices M' : . ' " . f ? 1 rwr-: r:l?iL:f
M IKnlr.ll.nil IH.irtH. : " ' I U l 'Iv ' -' . " - ' 1 Ht.t CLni-r 1
IrElrn Snuthwrairrn O r -
irnn. on ('Ilforr.t boun.!arr arifl
f lnf-litlnic part rf .kui Rlvr
Val!r.
J Arr- l.TT.: .r.
J reputation tS.TS.
Jf K50N
r"n. la
mfXTV. In Houtharti Or.
mmmniily loolirl n)on an
foiiatry. rlBlrally II ts
!!. i. rntliii tll u that om rartu
nf It ar mun th nHot on th
Iob. Ml othr ara of compara
tively rpr.t rrratlon.
Uaolocy f rm nxt lmortnt alrl
iBtarrstlnx rornmrrrlal part In Jarkaun
"ount ' croat rnourrn. Volranle ac
tion l. at irrnt ttftrywhrrr, and I tha
un.lrrlyln far tor vf It lnxhautlbla
wealth. Tfc ihtpfly an.l the nhaprlraa
mountain. aom torn anl at-arrad and
will In thrlr mantflrnr. other
aeful and lum..l!c In thrlr qulrtuda
but all pro'luctlvr. and none barren,
were ee-tally Uraivned to maet the
demanJ of man. The deep canyons
and (umbllcc malerfalln. and wild
ru-h.nc rtvrr. with their slarlal
hrJ. wer made to co-operate In har
mony with them, for these watrra arla
iiik In the hearts of the great ranter,
aid rtralnlnic the fertile trrrltory for
htin.lr'ls of mtlra. provide a itreatrr
amount of powrr for manufacturlna.
tranaportatlon. Irrlcatlon. and the
many otner ue to whicn electricity la
put. than any other .(ream or aet of
water counts of eual fall, mlleatre or
volume, upon the American Continent.
Niattmra la In Ita knickerbockers alona-
Ide the Kiant power of the Itocut
Klrer.
The mountain ranyuns are huge raa
enrolr. capable of the storage of un
limited volumes of watrr. while the
trradual alopea of the whole country
from the Cascades to the center of the
Roiue River Valley. Jackson County's
agricultural marvel, allow the flow of
water by gravity not only for Irriga
ting rurpose. but for domestic pur
poses a. well, and thus Med ford, tbe
metropolis of this wonderful territory,
enjoys at nominal cost one of the finest
water systems In the I'nlon. In every
character of soil In the county, and
they are Innumerable, does the trace of
volcanic action prevail to enrich Its
Immenaety productive power. In every
direction are flowing streams and
spring, all moving towards the center
of drainage, which Is the esact center
of the- Rogua River Valley, and In no
portion whatever of the fertile lands of
Jackson County la there lack of these
conditions to retard, the progress of de
velopment. The climate of Jackson County Is on
of Its strongest assets. In no other
part of the state do we find similar
conditions. Protected by the (rest bar
rier of the ll.klyou Mountains, the cll
roata la wkolly ualtke that of Northern
California, which Jackson County ad
joins on the south, and even more
widely different from that of Klamath
County on the east, separated only by
the Cascade. It Is milder In Summer
and miMtr In Winter. The Rogue
River Valley lying In the exact center
of tha county feels the effect of these
splendid factors. In Its length ar.d
breadtli. over Ita total area of li0 square
miles, the climate Is ideaL The great
gridiron of surrounding mountains
forms a perfect buffer against high
wiB'ls In the valley, the velocity seldom
xcee.l:r.ic or even reaching -0 miles
an hour: thunder clouds spend their
firr against these protecting ram
parts: the continental blasts of Win
ter, with thrlr accompanying storms
of rata or snow, which find their way
even to the summit of the Cascades,
never cross the valley's threshold, and
the downpour of rain during the Fall.
Winter and fpring months, blowing
from the Paclfta through the great
timber belt of Jackson and Josephine
Counties, have dispersed Into gentle
falling shower by the time they are
realy to spread their evenly balanced
showers over the waiting soils of the
valley. Prwow la seldom seen In the
toslaals. yet the great Mghwaya be
tween Eastern and Western Oregon
ire) Impassable In Winter because of
the great depth of fall. Sorely Is the
hand of Nature again seen here devel- .
oping a condition as close to man's
Ideal a It might seem possible to con
struct, ret with the same paradoxical
conditions as exist with respect to Its
soil and geological feature.
One must analyse the weather con
ditions In Jackson County to appreci
ate them fully. Take the weather re
ports for the past :i year. In no
case do we find a lower monthly aver
age than 31 degrees) above, and In no
rase a higher monthly average than 17
degrees. We see an extreme In the
maximum of only 42 degrees between
January and August, and an extreme
In the minimum between these months
of only SI degree. The most Interest
ing feature I that the maximum tem
perature I upon a regularly and even
ly balanced Increasing scale from Jan
uary to August, and a correspondingly
decreaatng scale from August to No
vember. This identical condition pre
vails In the minimum temperature. De
cember being the only exception In
both extremes during the year, Ita min
imum and maximum temperatures be
ing almost the same as those of April
and October.
It ha been said that the climate of
Jackson County Is neither hot nor cold.
This Is as correct a may be expressed.
The high temperatures In Summer are
modified by the clear air. and the ele
vation which ranges from 1000 to 2000
feet In the Rogue River Valley. The
absence of high humidity Is one of the
paramount features. However warm
the Summer day, the nights are al
ways cool, and this Is verified by the
weather report already referred to.
The Winter months represent an ex
treme of only IS to 10 degrees between
the minimum and maximum. No more
equable conditions could be Imagined
In temperate tones. Wind conditions
are peculiar In their beneficence. The
prevailing direction of the wind
throughout the clear weather of the
year Is from the quarters of the north
during the hours of sunlight, and
southwest between sunset and sunrise,
due to the high pressures prevailing
over and to the southwest of the 81
klyous. The mild climate of Winter Is
created by a reverse of those circum
stances, the prevailing wind being
southwest, against the weaker breeses
from the north and Its quarters. In
no other locality does tbe Japan cur
rent work In more complete harmony
with local condition. The Chinook
wind I seldom felt here, but like the
guiding spirit. Is manifest when
needed.
All of the glorious elements of the
climate of Southern California are felt
here during the nine months separated
by the rainy season. The latter la tbe
potential wealth of agricultural con
dition here. Combined with the high
grade soil conditions, and their re
markable aptitude for the conservation
of moisture. The average precipitation
for : 1 years Is Ji Inches a year, the
maximum aeldom reaching 3i Inches.
The old saving that "it never rain but
It pours- Is never true In Jackson
County.
The commercial resources of Jackson
County are agriculture, timber, min
eral and water power. Immense strides
have been made In agriculture. Kvery
branch of cultivation common to tem
perate districts es followed, with the
utmost success and profit, and develop
ment along these lines has been carried
on to a much greater extent than any
of the other resources. The Rogue
River Valley, with Its total surface of
u0 aqua re roUes.. ha made further
progress In the way of settlement than
any other district In the Tactile North
west of relative or greater else, to the
extent of double Its area.
Witness what Jackaon County has
done during the 10 years ending In
Mar. lit, when the official census was
taken. The result Indicates an increase
In population of $ per rent greater
than any other county In the state ex
cept Multnomah, and those which the
facilities of transportation have re
cently opened for settlement. Jackson
County advancing In population from
11th In 1900 to fifth in 1910. And yet
this has been accomplished In less than
six years, when the first work of de
velopment was taken up In earnest. In
earlier days the Rogue River Valley
was renowned for Its great wheat
growing qualities, and Its grains found
their way In the shape of flour to the
markets of the Orient and Europe.
Rogue River hogs were equally cele
brated, and moved In great numbers
to the California blocks each season.
With the discovery of the perfection
to which apples and pears grow here,
conditions have changed to the extent
that attention Is given to skillful horti
culture, now, more han to any other
pursult'of the soil, and the Rogue River
Valley has moved Into the front rsnk
of America's great fruitralslng dis
tricts. Kvery condition here Is adapted
to the growth of perfect fruit. The
great pace set by the Rogue River Val
ley ts largely responsible for the Im
mense strides In the fruit lnduxtry of
the entire Pacific Northwest. In 1911
S5. 000 acres of growing orchard dot
the landscape of the valley, and the
coming Spring will witness the plant
ing of 20.000 additional acre, not less
than 1.500.000 trees having already been
bought for that purpose. Fruitgrowing
as followed In Jackson County Is of
different chsracter than In most dis
tricts. It Is not a fad. but a clean-cut
business proposition. ' where skill, en
ergy and keen Judgment are necessary
to Insure success. Each year witnesses
a greater Influx of people t the Rogue .
River Valley, a corresponomg mrre.
In the crops and a constantly growing
superiority In production. In 190 the
great sweepstakes prize at the National
Apple Show at Spokane waa captured
by this district, and again at Vancou
ver In 1910 first henors were taken by
Its famous Yellow. Newtown apple.
Jackson County claims equality with
any other district n America for high
grade apples. Its pears, which are bet
ter known In New Tork. London and
the greater markets of the world, are
little known In our own home mar
ket. No other section has thus far
been able to compete with the Rogue
Rlverpears. which stand as the stand
ard of excellence the world over.
Small fruits, garden truck. pouTtry.
dairying, and agricultural pursuits pro
vide equal opportunity for the thrifty
plan who Is looking for a home under
Ideal conditions, and yet Jackson Coun
ty has so far done little to advertise
Its numberless resources. The Rogue
River Valley and Its rich adjoining
territory are equally favorable and
promising to the man of small means
and to the man of wealth. Practically
every foot of the soil can be culti
vated to the highest state possible. The
Pacific Coast spends annually millions
of dollara for the very prodsicta which
grow here In their most luxuriant and
profitable state, and yet the great mar
kets of San Francisco. Portland and the
growing cities of Puget Sound and the
Inland Umpire are looking to the East
for a large portion of these necessities.
No better field for dairying exists than
the Rogue River Valley; Intense culti
vation and diversified farming may be
carried on with the utmost comfort and
success. Poultry raising, hog raising
and the many other branches of agri
culture mentioned can and should be
developed to the very limit. There Is
no fear of over production of these
commodities.
Twenty-five billion feet of fir and
pine timber stand In the forests of
Jackson County, and practically no por
tion of it has ever been touched for
commercial usage. The lack of trans
portation up to the present time has
fctnod In the wav of development of that
resource, hut the timber districts are
now being tapped by a new Hill line.
The final mark of the great progress
made by Jnckson County In recent
yeara can best be measured by the
growth of its cities. Medford, the cen
ter of the valley, and one of the most
progressive cities of its class In the
United States, comes forward with the
splendid record of moving from 15th
to fourth In the list of Oregon's cities
In ten years, advancing in population
awess,
swsst! ajjgas!al SsLsiassTsdal
Original Home of the Grape Industry, Present Mining
Center of Jackson County. Homeseekers Paradise
Jacksonville is recognized as the choice residence city of
the Rogue Kiver Valley. Nestling in an arm at the vestftin
edge of the Valley it is quite outside the path of periodical winds
and a continual calm throughout the Winter season pervades the
locality. When the central sections have their wind sweeps,
comparisons have shown Jacksonville untouched at all times.
The city located near the foothills has natural drainage and
her wells afford pnre water. Not a single case of typhoid fever
has developed in Jacksonville in the past fifteen years. The
city has begun the work of installing a modern water SNstem,
and a sewer system in contemplation will follow at once. These
considerations, taken together with the fact that the Rogue River
Valley Railway furnishes rspid and frequent transportation to
and from Jacksonville make Jacksonville a mecca for the settler
who deems health and comfort a primary consideration.
Tbe elevation of Jacksonville and vicinity is a large factor
in establishing local supremacy in fruit growing. Above the
frost line the fig, the lemon and the orange grow and mature.
Failure of crops in, this section from frosts is unknown. English
walnuts raised about Jacksonville are celebrated for the size,
perfection, and abundant yield. The region justly claims to
be par excellence the grape center of Oregon. It is pleasant
to remember that the grape still reaches its highest perfection
on the very spot where the grape industry in Oregon had its
origin. 4
Eleven million dollars in gold have been taken from the
placer mines about Jacksonville, within a radius of ten miles.
Indeed Jacksonville stands upon a rich placer mine the richest
known in Southern Oregon. It was the constant belief of ex
pert miners and geologists that the vast yields of gold from the
bed of Jackson Creek were but crumbs that had fallen from the
tables laden with infinite wealth on the high lands above.
Greater wealth than yet known awaits to be revealed to or
ganized wealth and industry. Even now several quartz mines
have been opened up west of Jacksonville. The Opp mine, one mile
away, has 7000 feet of tunnel and 40 men are at work develop
ing this mine. Already $200,000.00 have been taken from this
mine. A twenty-stamp mill is in daily operation. Other pay
ing mines will pour their wealth into the great stream of re
sources j'et to be opened np with the advent of capital into
this miners' paradise.
Jacksonville' is full of historic interest. It .was long the
metropolis and capital of a vast empire, with 5000 population.
Here gathered in her halls the intellect and culture of the North
west. Baker, Nesmith, Delazon Smith, George H. Williams, have
in turn done legal and political work here. U. S. Grant, W. T.
Sherman and Benjamin Harrison have in turn graced the city
with their presence. Many historic relics remain in the homes,
and monuments and buildings rich in historic incident still
resist the vandal march of progress. All these things lend
a distinct charm to resident and visitor alike.
The peanut is grown successfully each Summer in small
quantities.
A good many critics and judges have been disposed to say
that the Ish farm, one and one-half miles northwest of Jack
sonville, is the richest in Oregon in proportion to its size. It
contains 600 acres and is in alfalfa and orchard. The soil is
deep alluvial and is subirrigated. The income from this farm
wjth a minimum of labor and care is almost fabulous. Much
land of the same sort is found near it, now offered for sale in
five-acre and ten-acre lots. A few acres of this land will afford
a good income at once. This region is especially noted for its
deep alfalfa lands and its broad expanse of alfalfa fields, which
lend to the landscape a tone of unfading green.
Jacksonville is just now attracting much attention in
Southern Oregon as a desirable- home section. The foothills
surrounding Jacksonville will ere long be adorned with beautiful
homes overlooking the Rogue River Valley. Nature seems espe
cially to have carved out this locality to be par excellence the
spot superior to all others for its beauty and convenience and
healthfulness as a home center. All other localities yield the :
palm gracefully in this particular. Many are now planning to
build and live in Jacksonville, even though such may carry on
business elsewhere.
Just now assurances reach us that a line through Southern
Oregon to the sea is fully and finally determined upon by Mr.
Hill. Jacksonville is in the path of that road and the town is to
be rescued from tha long-standing misfortune of being off the
main line.
Nature destined Jacksonville to a life of prosperity and
singular charm. Artificial forces are now co-operating to return
the ancient historical capital to the prestige and importance that,
in the early pioneer days, none disputed.
JACKSONVILLE COMMERCIAL CLUB