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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 1881)
W1LLAMKTTB FAltMKRi PORTLAND, OltEGON, FEBRUARY 4. 1881. THK COLUMBIA EITER. We lately critleUed tha mismanagement by which the commerce of this wholo region was embarrassed, and the (hip owners, o( tho world compelled (by evil reports of ship mas ten, that unfortunately are founded 'upon their own experience), to discriminate against the Columbia river and send their ships to San Francisco. To-day tho price of wheat in Portland is quite ten cents a bushel less than it wonld be if the portion of shipping wo need had come or was coming direct to this port, as it has come and is coming to San Francisco; and there is no reason why it does not come, except that foreign vessels have been often treated with unjust discrimination by tho monopoly that has controlled piloUgo and towage, and that the river and its channels nt its entrance have not been kept in order by the general government, a fact which wm made plainly apparent f President Hayes and Secretary of War Rariisay, when they were here this Fall. The last legislature passed an act to pre vent unfair denomination on tho port of tugs and pilot. Au opposition steam tug Mid Silot association has just boon organized nt olumbla bar,' and we bavo reason to bono that tho discreditable and inefficient monopoly that baa so long placed our commerce at dis advantage will be at an end. It is evento be hoped that the city of Portland will show some enterprise to assist the coinmtrco of tho oountry.tbough hitherto wo have or-ly seenon part of Portland capitalists a ehanp expendi ture of words, but the tlmo is coming when this city trust do something substantial to sustain It prestige and deacrvo the continued support ana patronage from tho county, East and West of the Cascades, that has made, its million accumulate so rapidly. Accident lo cated a great city on the Willamette, wbilo the interests of the Columbian rogiou seem now to demand an emporium ,on tno greater liver, and either this city must satisfy coin maroa or it will inest with successful rivalry. The Columbia river offers leu obstructions to commerce at its entrance than does the Bay of New York, and will have a sufficient depth of water with rcaaonnblo sssis.tanco from the government Tho rocordsof eir commerce show but fow wrecks at the bar, and nose on the adjoining coast. Whoro wreck ever have occurred, the facts shov that with efficient pilotage and the prexenci of powerful tug boats, thoy could, almost without exception, have been avoided. Our commerce ha hitherto lieen in its early stages and it was not possible in the days when it was being developed to possess all tho ap pliance needed to make it safe. There was so little direct trade, up to within a" recent period, that a perfect system could not Ira provided, though the, State has expended 921,000 to encourage the founding of tho mo nopoly that has grown to be discreditable. Bat those days are over and natural competi tion may, be expected henceforth, if rrnsona- , bly encouraged by law, to provide what is needed. Of course there is jompotition between the great harbors on this coast, ,for the great trade of the present and the' future. The discrimi nations in fsvor of San Francisco as a shipping point will this year cost the farmers of Oregon and Washington not leas than 5750,000, jn extra freight charges, because We must either ship a great portion of our 'wheat to 9a n Francisco to be reshipped;. or charter ships at that port to come herend load cargoes, and the ships that come here direct, with probably capacity to transport half our sur plus of breadstufls, wilt all get charters at the full prioe it will cost to ship to San K ancisco andreahlp there, pr what ii wjll cost to char- , ter vessel in that port to come hero and load wheat In faot, there should bo but little, If any, (tiQorence between freights from -the Columbia river and from California ports, and wa are striving to how the immediate need of active efforts to place our, river in a favora ble light before the commercial nations that control the world' tonnage. While Sax Francisco does all it can to hold the commerce of the Pacific at its wharves, there is also an effort at Puget Sound to decry tho Columbia river as dangerous and uncertain. Every lit tle unfavorable incident is heralded and made the most of to prejudice the orld against us. This is natural enough, however unfair, but tha records of time are all we need to prove that no extraordinary danger attend our commerce. We often hear of wreck and dis aster near the Golden Gate. Though its en trance is broad and inviting it is not' so safe as it mifht be from fog and reefs, and off on the ocean are islands that have ti be avoided. So with the Straits of Fuca, there has not Wn a week this Fall (we think we do not exaggerate),when we have not head of wrecks nd disaster of some sort, attending the en trance or departure from this 'finest body of water la the world." There are sands, and sheets, and reefs, that threaten, if they do not destroy, and yet the very journals that re cord tnese ocyii or uiarytxtis ol trie Uoei Wo have no disposition to decry Su Fran-1 noar prospect, and theNicarrngua ship canal cisci oi Pug-1 Sound, which nro both niaguifl- route in tho future, it looks as if we .would cent harbors. Hut it really soems at if these nau'ical croakers, who have a chronic habit of denouncing tho Columbia river u the unto of storms and tho natural homo of wrecks whoro the "Flying Dutchman" ride on tho wings ..f infcni.il gales can as well lo k at homo for "Chimeras dire." ,, PANAMA OR MIOARRAQUA, Tho transportation question is of the utmost imporlanco to tha farmers of tho Pacific Coast i How wo aro to transport our products to Eu rope, to which wo must look for a market, concerns us as much as how wc are to raiso tho products themselves. The business of wheat-growing has but commenced In the Col umbian region, a fact that Mr. Vlllard and his associaloi wcro Well aware of when thoy com menced tlm construction of tho many-branch-fug mads that aro ,to form our great system for tho development of so largo a portion f Eastern Oregon and Washington. Our pro--Inction will double, and soon ilouhio again, and we shall lo mora and mnru dependent on tonnauo in tlm future than wo arc now, so tho construction oi a snip canal mat shall shorten the distancu over one h.ilf, and propor'lonate ly rcdiico tho cost of transportation, and mike tho freighting season last hero until May In! icm ui.ruuruary, is oi mo greatest impor Tho construction of the proposed ship canal on -.no istnmus oi r.ui.ama or ftlcarragim will accniliplish this, but tho lonstcxponsivucan.il, and tho Olio that can be completed soonest, is tho ono wo need, nud tho question of present iiiuini-iiiuiniu.1 w mo cuuico oi one rouio or the other. Tho schetno b! Do Lcssops w ill ru quiio ten years for Its completion, across Pan ama, and will cost over $200,000,000 at any rcasonahlo computation, while the canal across Nicarragua cm be completed in half tho tlmo and for half the money, and If wo can rcaliro this in half tho tlmo and no$ hsvo over half tho tolls to pay that will bo exacted at Pana ma, then tlioro is no hesitation alraut the choice. This is tho vlow taken of this Important matter by tho Hoard of Trado of San Francis co, which has adopted a report favoring tho Nicarragua route and has memorialized Con gross in Its favor. Tho dispatches lately bring us word that a company that includes Gen. Grant and a uumlcr of financial magnates, has organiz'od and applied "to Congress for a char ter to, construct the Nicarragua Ship Canal, thus proposing directly to antagonize tho Pan any scheme. General Grant asserts that dur ing his administration he had all of these routes surveyed and bocanie firmly convinced that uiu i-wuirraguo ruuio oncrcu (no most advan tages and was the most practicable route. The movement throughout tha United States in favor of Nicarragua makes a strong show ing, and tho selection of that route is of ut most importance to Oregon, because it an bo complo'cd sooner and at loss coat, and tolls will Ik) much liirhtcr. Stilt another reason Is tlutt it can be used by soiling vends with nioro certainty. . In hlicalcnlations M do Lesser lays no claim to tho patrotiago of sailing vessels, but claims that the commercu yla his canal wilt hocrit're ly by siranicrs.' This cannot interest us, lie cause our grain mnst 'Ira carried to mirket cheaplv, or not at all. Sailing vessels cann t reach I'adama with any certainty on account i( the protractol and almost eternal cMnjs that rest upon the tronio seas in that vlclnltv. When'wd cdnio to Oirgon in IS.V), we hoinl soon havoa possible outlet for our commerce in mat direction. Jlut the more wo invest! tho mattor tho more apparent It is that tho Panama scli. -me is too expensive to mako it completion i reasonable certainty, and if com pleted a toll collected to pay an interest on tho Investment will be a heavier tax' than wo can pay, ami w.ouM make even the Telmaiito pco railroad portage a cheaper, speedier and ovcry way more certain and desirable route. LETTERS FROM "L0RAIHE," Butter Maklnj-Summer Following by Flanttsg Corn-Jomblnlni Both with Front- Onr.oox Citt, Deo. 4, 18S0. Editor Will tmctte Farmeri I bavo been thinking about farmers and day laborers, bocauso men aro much moro in depenton tho farm, though they do not make so inucli, as a rule. Hut allow mo to suggest that tho making of butter would bo as profita ble, if not moru so, than most any other occu pation. Ilutter Is very high In San Francisco (47 to B2 conts per pound) and fresh rolls aro at a good figure in Portland, It Is also high in nil of tho tonus in tho interior, and I am Inclined to think that it will be hiidicryct. perhaps 25 per'ecut. higher, from t the fact that very few farmers will have any to sell, many not esun having enough for their own use. Now, Mr. Editor, I will give my Ideas as to dairying in connection with farming. Wo nave in, -m or - acres oi lai u to summer (al low. Asa rule wo mnkn a luiu slimmer fal low. This Is not tha just way to deal with our land. It ouvht to bo shaded so that it will not ha-,0 or loose itsamiuouia wliilubving laiiowcu. tno iictter way w uiit lie to plant our land that wo wish to fallow in soma kind of swect-enrn that w ill get I ipo nliout the mid dlo or List of Augunt) cut out com and set It up In rows about thirty paces apart, so that it may dry) When dry haul to a shod prepar ed for that purpose, t-i Ira iishl to feeil our cows through tho winter, nud if wo will stable our cows, V.OC1U mako as much butter from them as in the .Summer time, lo causa our cows to comu homo every evening, have them sUbled as so'.u as they comu ho.no ami give thorn a few stalks of com to satisfy them un til wa are ready to milk. Ho kind to them and they will Ira delighted to bo nliout you. If the night is not had turn tha cows In tho yard around the cow shod, lie sur ami cava tho dmppngi to enrich your laud -withi take as good caro of tho manure lis you do of tha cows, nud npplyitto the land wi'h nil the precision th.it you ploAr, and in two or thixo yaisyou Mill have a farm that will produce one-half moro' than when you began your dair) iirg. As s on as ynu get your corn set no in rows you can start tha plow. Commence plowing in tho center of th6 space between tha rows of com shocks. Do not plow too ciosa to mu rows, necause you must leave MEW RKQIOHS FOR SETTLEMENT. About tho tlmo we commenced tho publica tion of descriptive sketches of the great Col umbian region we received a communication from Mr. A. F. Parker, brother of Mr. Frank Parker, the well-known editor of tho Walla Walla Statesman, Informing us thnt.aftcr vari ous prpccting for a location, ho hail finally located in tho "Cold Spring Country," which ho graphically describes in this isauo, and saying that he would liko to writo up Its at tractions and good qualities in tho KtnMr.H. Ho seems to have chosen this region for his homo and to be thoroughly enamored of it, and ho can have no personal object, except to induce permanent settlement and prevent tho 'gobbling up of that charming scopo of country by speculators, who havo alroady located great ranches on its borders, and to secure by thick settlement good society and all tho priv ileges that altered it. With this commenda ble intention ho writes up tho country In a plain and spirited way that is very attractive. Wc know of fow writers in thu country at large who have a more graceful knack of using wonls easily and well, and liopo to sccuro his services in fully describing the wholo county of Umatilla, in Oregon, and also tho features of Walla Walla county that lies south of Snako river and Whitman county north of it iu Washington Territory. If bo will do so we shall depend on him also for goncral do tail of Union and llakcr counties, In Orccon. What wo wish to call attention to is that through Eastern Oregon nnd Washington there aro many spots as extcnsivo.nnd fertilo as this Cold Spring country, that Invito set tlement. Tho remarkable fact concerning this locality is that it is surrounded by tho 'best and oldest settled portions of tho Upper Country. Tho towns of Umatilla, Pendleton, Weston, Ccntervillc, Milton, Walla Walla and Wallula literally surround It, and yet, wbilo tho rich farming country that mako their importanco is well known, tho Cold Spring region, lying on the Columbia river, with lietter facilities for transportation than any of them, has been actually overlooked. When we were nt Walla Walla and Weston last Hummer, wu heard much of it and are glad to direct those in search of homes that way. Mr. Parker's statements do not seem unrrasonablo nnd wo give them as nil indica tion that through our Eastern counties valua ble spots yet remain comparatively unknown. As-nii illustration of this fact wo can refer to the Surveyor General of Oregon, who informs us that surveys made in Iwth Western and Eastern Oregon tho past .Summer, demonstra ted tho value of lauds that bad been supposed comparatively worthless. No doubt tho Sur veyor General of Washington Territory would mako tho Mmo statement Wu shall attempt to get particulars from lioth offices, to nttfeo puiilioiii this issue or next week. L J Where. to Locate. Ahim-ik, Kansas, Nov. 7, 1830. 1 Mi tor Willamette Farmer) I enclose you ono dollar for vour iwner. tho'FAUMKit, which send as long as tho dollar lasts. A 1 am going to movo to (M-irnu wi HI, room enough to drive along side of tho rows J my family in tho Spring, I don't w ish to send of shucks, f"r the purpo-o of h tilling them to mum money 'than'will Ira ncceuary to pay up n oiivu.u.r -iiim iii ii. ur plowing an to me iimo i leave nero, as i am Koing liy the space as directed then haul nut tho coin wagon. I wont out to Oiegon last Spring and finish the plow lutr, sow your bind to and looked over the Willamttto Valley, and w eatas'e.nly as tho first of Hvptuuihcr, there b lleve I would do liottor tluru than here. will be no trouble aliout It not cm gup, for Where would bo tho licstplacotogoto, whoro the reason that tho land is moist nuil not noni'iioor fever prevails, and where flab am parched up likn It would hsvo been if it hut lieeu h bare follow, Mauaju thus fur a few vcars and keep Vour Improvements in nhsivo at Panama of .aajliug votsals that .were four . ' repalrng fences, nailing on the. boards mouths r nujiing Sail Francisco from there that have been torn off by tho cattle or wind. Wicaiuo they could 'not get out of the reach Heaulify your homo by setting out shade of thosu dreadful calms. Ship captain who trees around the residence, and givine somu know thow htitudrs ssy thsy would preftr f. attention to tho cultivation of rtlioux Holland make tho .iVtMta around -Cape Horn rather bulbs and soma auiiii ds t'mt suit tho tiutu of thsn go to Ppiwima. , It is evident, then, I bat Mc)l meiubur of thu tamily, and you ought to tljo Pniiauin can il cannot answer our needs n Ira happy, Iiiiainx. KcstHiraii', n. Mearra'jua lias tho further . merit of lioinif niuvh tlie shortoit louto, sav- WilEAT YIELD IN IliK at least 7,'iO miles of travel as couuan-d wi raoaou , but nuiits ik-niocrst. K c Xidiniicin is nntenirclv out of the' Since our last communication wo have ic- l region w cniurs. mil m, near It a to Ira lar cclved the exact return from Yamhill ami iroiir.iiioio r.mina. jiiKsiiue ui construct ,..w -oul..ie, .,,,1 i,,.. ,bu further r.m a abln caiul aerr&a at -IVhiiiii.tioww imrll, of lOlK COUIlt.M, IUI Il also Ilirtllir fetUI VhaiLh I,. C..l.. i..-in i. .Ai from Lane countv. The full returns stini.HfHl would l; much m. ro to our advantage, as It to us by tho millers ami warehousemen for gain, lie within reach of the friendly trade wind tho Valley counties aro as followi iu Im.hclsi ' bava and cn.ii bo much easier reached. Ihi remind , , ,,,,, ' us that at tho present time an American com- ,i ffi- ,'!-tV "lis, WILLAMETTE VALLpV plenty nml Irult tails not! Wouhl you rccomincml South, North, East or Wost f I have a small income of $100 per year besides tholuhorof myself and family. Answer in paper. Yours truly, Wii.imm I.t.vroif. Tho foregoing Is pretty fully answered by the description of tho W'illaiuotto Valley wa published last week. When Mr. Linton arrive here Wu shall bo glad to furnish any informa tion possiblu to serve his purpose. Hero isu .mnu who has been hero to look for himself -and likes tho country well enough to bring h s family. ith the income he speaks of ho I work- nd ! ought to succeed well If thoy aro good us or.' Good land can be bought iu any pany is oiL-anijxil to construct a raih-oad across from the lUy )f Campcochy to the Gulf of jV.""0." ' J Thm'SSJ TthuameiK-c. dUtauca of IRO miles, and as ) "hlnSton -' -H-.S00 tho ciistruUion of.a railnia.1 in that favorable . i'.Jii Svi'SX! lleufm.,., IU!l,0OJ Marion l,Si7.000 ciimatus noi .iimicuit, we may expect to see It boon in operation, and its operation will ruYijuu)nuu tue irnuio oi mu I'acinc to soma extent for it will certainty- Ira possible to tranship our product by this means froui ono cean o mo oilier, at lar less exist than the long and tedium five months voyage around tho horn, o: via Panama canal, een if if was coustruttel, for Tchuantepec is where tudu U'liiila am ftsriiAasiil nvo O IWI shiIas l.,.rt . wwh vnv J V U W W W" ' " UWt U HIIII S4 WI V VVU ti P44UI I dent, find tiros, between wrecks, to sneer it i r,, as a route f rpm ffewr York or Euglaod, to uiounimiu nver, wuere mere nas iraeii i:r ryacq too .-onu Racine uoasr, mail via ran nisutcr hi msacB-noteoi lorao thst we cauuot l-:sll the last. Yamhill. Lane estimated , 743.000 ....J, 000.000 0,213,'K) Add 15 pr ct. for wheat in smaller warehouses and yet in fanncis' baud tilMSO bought iu any direc tion, and a little caro will sccuro a food bar- Near tho mountain all tho streams lavo trout. A e published last week, or will an article on fish and game. Tho big Salmon are in the larger streams) Elk are in tho mountains and deer iu the hills and tim ber, .Pheasants, grouse and quails are the game birds of our country. Fruit does well in all sections, but we shall treat moro fully of this noon. Or reduced to centals 4,307,003 A tenant farmer has lie n p-nnVrnl In lie- The dead body of a man named Gcldcr, cumnonly known as "CrazyGeor.ro." w audit- ' cavered in the woods on San Juan lal.-ir.il, 1 PS Li.Kll luitt llf.jiaSBAtl Sims an ttjl u.bl.lnb.A 7 1711114(1 ""-i l.. inM nnm nil Vlil l-liii-l, ,IU.I"Oj nf 1f r t,u. and wu ftir.ni'fl In elmnnlm, wmxI at the time of his death, which waj probably caused by heart disoaso. long tiiii "jipi i ., f . lau I in-ar Ilsllymont, supiHiscd U bvabtiUta ah the rehuaulcvo Isthmus railio id in ( laud trouble. 1 ' A ipc ting of Irish Natiou&Ihli ii to tin held at IVlf.
