vi
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VOL. XV.
SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1884.
NO. 47"
'K
orrcontlcnc
Note by the Wayside.
Editor Willamette Farmer :
After visiting the Linn County Busi
ness Council, December 1st, I spent tho
night with Brother and Sister S. Fro
man, who are- members of the Council,
also of Grand Prairie Grange. I have not
language at my command to explain the
principles and character of a true Gran
ger, but in thought and action they
seem more enobling than those persons
who are opposed to nssociating with
their neighbors in tho Grange for tho
purpose of promoting the welfare of
mankind; and go where I may among
the members of our order I find evinced
a spirit of kindly regard such as is not
universal in tho world. After spending
tho greater portion ot tho Sabbath with
Brother and Sister F., and consulting in
referenco to the best interests of the
Grange, and tho various methods of
overcoming the numberless obstacles
with which we, like all other organiza
tions, are forced to contend. I walked
over to the residence of Brother and Sis
ter Thomas Froman, where the night
was pleasantly spent. As Brother J.
Froman is a Deputy we planned some
work for Linn county.
It is my intention to meet with Leba
non Grange at its next meeting in Jan
uary, and I hope that all the Brothers
and Sisters of that and adjoining Granges
will be with us. Xet us commence our
work for 1864 with a zeal equal to the
stupendous task before us.
Brother Irvine is as enthusiastic as
ever. It is no wonder that Linn County
Council has proven a success, with such
counselors as Brothers Irvine, Rodgors,
Shelton, Froman's and numerous others,
with Sisters ever ready to aid and coun
sel in their endeavors to elevate the pro
ducers of the country, who by their ex
ample seem to reach the sentiments of
the entire community.
From these Brothers and Sisters I
learned much which will be of interest
to other Granges as I visit them in the
future. After returning home and at
tending the Multnomah Pomona G ranee,
went to Clackamas, where there is a dor
mant Grange. Held a public meeting,
v but did not succeed in reorganizing tho
Grange. There is quite an interest man
ifested here, the seed however must be
sown before we can reap a harvest.
Spent a pleasant night with Brother
and Sister Phillips, thence wound my
way to the residence of Brother and Sis
ter A. Miller, below Milwaukie, with
whom I spent a very interesting even
ing, and after a night of refreshing
sleep took the steamer for Portland at C
o'clock Monday morning, bound for
Clarke county, W. T., but in consequenco
of tho late change of time missed the
boat, so took the cars for Sandy and
hired some fishermen to take me across
the Columbia. Arrived at Washougal
fitter six miles walk in time to partake of
.ae bounties of Brothci and Sister Bus
sell's tea table. Also found Brothers
Yeomans and Bussell waiting, ready to
take up the line of march in the morning.
December 18. Having been furnished
by Bro. Russell a good horse and water
proof coat, which covered me from my
eyes to the soles of my boots, we three
started for Bruah'Prairie, Clarke county.
Bro. Yeomans thought the road misera
bly long. Bro. R. said well he might,
as ho crossed the road back and forth
like a ship beating against the wind ; his
excuse being that we rode so slow that
he was obliged to put in bis time some
jway. I agreed with Bro. Y. that the
road was both long and miserable, and
haVnt changed ray mind jet We had
a merry ride, and arrived in due time at
our destination, where we were welcomed
by Brother and Sister Messenger, of
nhoae gencroua hospitality we gladly
4P'took.
At 0 o'clock r. a. we held a public
J
meeting, which was well attended, and
resulted in the reorganization of the
Grange. Found upon inquiry that they
had retained their entire outfit, also a
library which cost them sixty dollars.
Like the majority of dormant Granges,
they ceased work in consequence of the
admission of unsuitable material. After a
general discussion it was decided that
Bro. Yeomans should install their offi
cers on the 5th of January.
After spending tho night with these
good people, we proceeded to Maple
Grove and accepted the invitation ex
tended by Brother and Sister Goodnigh.
to stay with them, and although we were
by two hours too late for dinner, and in
sisted we were not hungry, our kind
host and hostess declared that they were
awaro of tho failing of Bro. Russell, and
judging all Grangers by his standard,
hastily prepared a delicious repast, to
which we did such ample justice that I
was reminded of the little boy wh, on
his first visit from home, rammed his
hands in his little pockets, and declared
to his aunt that ho was not hungry, al
though he had not eaten anything for
twelve hours.
Held a public meeting in the evening
and audience was large and much inter
est was manifested, resulting in the re
organization of the grange. Bro.Yoe
mans will install the officers on the after
noon of January 5th. Bro, Bussel and
myself proceeded to Battle Ground post
office, where we accepted the hospitality
of Brother and Sister J. L. Groat. This
entire country is fine grass land former
ly covered with ash timbers, but the far
mers aro clearing it up. Bros. Groat,
Groodnight and Messenger have good
farms. The land is sufficiently rolling
to admit of blind drains. Timothy grows
to an enormous height. There arc large
tracts of ash swale land still uncleared
that at no distant day will be the homes of
wealthy farmers. Dairying is the occu
pation of the people and when they have
established creamaries and cheese factor
ies so that all the butter and cheese can
be sold under one brand, thus establish
a uniform price as well as a uniform
quality for and in the marked This will
bo a wealthy section. White and red
clover does well and the people have
learned that there is no profit in grain.
From Battle Ground we went to
Fourth Plain, where wo held a meeting
in the evening. Found some good
grange people, but not a sufficient num
ber to organize a grange at present.
Received somo incouragement,hoever.
Sister Norton said "that she could got
women enough to carry on a grango but
the men wore too sleepy," and I believe
from appearances that she could do it.
Bro. 0. Flaraty gave an interesting ac
count of the manner in which corpora
tions imposed their monopolies upon
tho people of California. Here is a
nice prairie, gravely and dry, the soil is
rich and productive
Tho following day we went to Grand
Prairie ; here wo found farmers plowing
ami sowing. Was told that they pre
ferred this time rather than earlier in
the season as the wheat is not so likely
to be injured by frost. Having no ap
pointment here we passed on to Grass
valley and took dinner with Mr. and
Mrs. H. M. Knapp, of whom we learned
that our appointment sent to that place
had not been announced. This is also a
fine grass country and overlooks Lack-
amas lake, a beautiful sheet of water
about four miles in length and one-half
mile in width, and an altitude of one
hundred and fifty feet above the Colum
bia river. Here is a fine water power.
The company owning it have completed
a good saw mill at the lower end of the
lake. Large numbers of sa'w-logs are
run out of the Washougal river, and
caught between Ladies island in the
Columbia and the main land. We
crossed the Washougal near its mouth,
and arrived at Bra RoMeU's in time to
assist in the milking of a fine lot of
cows, which form bis dairy.
On the day following I attended the
Washougal Grange, which was organ
lzed about one year ago. It is to the
true-hearted patron an enjoyablo treat to
visit the Grange and note tho harmony
of feeling, the true brotherly and sisterly
fellowship existing between its members,
and feel that hero one can grasp the
hand of an aspiring Granger, and know
that at the friendly meeting in this hall
the home of the patron there exists an
interest outside of self. Here one can
behold the beauties of our Order and
mark the contrast between an organized
an unorganized neighborhood. Its
members constitute the finest in'ellect of
their country and the fact that their
number has been nearly doubled (only
lacking two) in the brief period of its
existence, is sufficient evidence that by
its works it is known. There are at pres
ent two classes being admitted. This
Grange has interesting work laid out for
every meeting, even more than the day
will permit them to accomplish. After
partaking of a sumptuous feast they
proceeded to elect officers for tho ensu
ing year, and ex tended, "an invitation to
Past Worthy Master "of Oregon State
Grange, A.'R. Shipley, of Oswego, to in
stall their officers on the thiid Saturday
in January.
Washougal supports two stores, one
hotel and saloon, but now that the ladies
are entitled to vote in Washington Ter
ritory they intend to make music for the
whisky dealers, and good husbands of
their men, while they educate their sons
and daughters to lives of usefulness.
Clarke county is a much better, sec
tion for farming purposes than I had
supposed, and land is held at reasonable
rates.
By urgent request of the friends where
I have lectured I promised to pay them
another visit in tlie spring. More anon.
II. E. Hayes.
Attend to Your Own Bualnesa.
Macleay, Or., Dec. 25, 1883.
Editor Willamette Farmer.
How do some people have so much
time to attend to other people's business?
I have a small farm, that is, it would be
considered so in this country, and I find
it takes all my time to attend to it and
my own affairs. But some of my neigh
bors have much larger farms as well
as many more babies (which seem to be
a natural production of the soil in
Oregon), and I don't think they aro any
earlier birds than I am. For all that,
I find that they have an abundance of
time to attend to other peoples business.
But the question is : Do they attend to
their own ? I think J can answer that
question for them, for I don't think they
do. I am awaro that tho impression
prevails that farmers havo a great deal
of spare time, but it is a mistake The
energetic farmer is one of tho busiest
men we havo among us. Theto is al
ways something to do on a farm and I
think thoso people that have so much
spare time had better put it in sweeping
their own door yards ; I am sure it will
pay them in tho long run. I have not
employed any of them to attend to my
bubincss, for I consider I am capable of
doing that myself. Now, Mr. Editor,
don't understand me to say that our
neighborhood is mado up of this class of
people, for the majority of tho neigh
borhood are as Christian-like and law-
abiding a clabs of people as there is in
the world. Another mystery is how
somo know every little incident nrl
neighborhood gossip that happens at our
dances, spelling schools and gatherings
generally. If you want to know any
thing about a neighbor, just question
one ot tnis class and you can learn all
about them. I hope I have not tread
on anybodys corns, but just impressed
it on the neighborhood gossip's mind.
Your batchelor friend, W.A.T.
been published in the Farmkk in favor
of and some against tho law. The prin
cipal reason advanced why tho law
should bo repealed is that it is unfair to
capital. An unwarranted assertion, as
the law has nothing whatover to do with
the assessment. A noto secured by
mortgago is exempted ; so it makes no
difference to the honest taxpayer whether
he is assessed on a $1000 noto or a $1000
mortgage. But tho law does prevent
the dishonest tax payor from omiting
his note altogether or from giving it in
at less than its face. Tho fault then, if
any exists, must bo either in tho law or
with the assessor.
The law says that all property shall be
assessed at its ' ' cash value." Who could
ask for more or would demand less. Tho
law then is all right. How about our
assessors? They are publicly charged
with perjury in making false returns, if
so let tho aggrieved party money
present them to tho grand jury. But
how may we determine tho true value of
any property? Some say the true value
of anything is what it will bring in the
market in an ordinary business ttansac
tion. If this is true then tho assessor
must assess the business men at their
selling prico, (even if they mark at from
50 to 200 per cent, profit) ; our news
papers on their subscription lists, etc. I
think the farmer, when he puts any
thing on the market, has a right to his
profit as well as the merchant. Should
not the true value of any property bo
determined by the actual net return ob
tained from a careful and judicious
managemert or investment of the same.
This then being tho true principle upon
which wo base our calculations, wo will
take tho average farmer of Oregon and
their net returns for a term of years, and
our yearly assessments and county re
cord of chattel mortgages and they
provo conclusively that the farmers do
not make legal interest (8 per cent.) upon
tho assessed value of their property.
Let us consider this subject fully and
fairly so that when it comes and como
it will before our next Legislature, its
mombere may act understandingly and
deal justly with all classes.
Respectfully, A. O. Jennings.
Nino feet is
many make
is, to havo it w ido enough
nono too much, though
them eight, and some as narrow as seven
feet. There is moio safety in a wido
gate. Many a runaway and breaking
of buggy, cart or wagon has been caused
by narrow gates, in consequence of tho
uhcel of the vehicle striking tho post
and frightening tho team.
Aiior a gato is well mado and swung
m place, havo it painted. It will pay in
tho end. And mako it a law of tho
farm that every one passing through a
gate shall close and fasten it securely,
even if ho expects to return in fivo min
utes. He might not return as early as
as ho expected, and ,a sudden flow
of 'wind might blow tho gato to and
break it, or passing stock might get into
tho fiold uuperceived, and cause a doal
of trouble.
Always contrivo to havo tho path or
mad curve a httlo before tho gnto is
reached, as a sharp turn makos it diffi
cult to drivo through a gato without
striking a post. If tho fence is parallol
with the road, set tho gato back a few
paces, and curvo tho fenco up to tho
posts so as to give a better turn. Try to
havo the gato on level ground if possi
ble, as a hill on either sido would mako
it bad for stopping tho team. It is
worth while to mako a good job of it
when started, as nothing gives moro sat
isfaction than a safo and easily-managed
gate. C. W.
The Kate Putnam Company, Coming.
Mnnager Stechhan, of Now Market
theatre, Portland, was in Salem on
Thursday. If sufficient encouragement
is offored ho will bring up tho Kate Put
nam Company. This little lady camo
to Portland unheralded and has won
tho hearts of tho peoplo completely.
Tho pieces to bo put on tho boards will
bo such as "Fanchion tho Cricket," in
which sho is unrivulod, alsj other top.:'
lir and pleasing plays. Wo have no
doubts but what inducements will bo
offered to tho company. If you aro in
tho city not week, mako it a point to
find out and attend. It will be worth
anyone's time and monoy to sco Kate
Putnam. Its not often that really good
actors come to Salom and whon they do
wo shall ask our readers to como and
soo them. Wo say como aud sco Kate
Putnam.
U Um Mortgage Tax lav Patau- to Capital.
lavi.se, Or., Dec. 31, 188a
Editor Wlllaroatto Farmers
Please allow me to evpraw a few
wandering thoughts in regard to the
Mortgage Tax Law. ConridVrable has
Farm Oatei.
Salem, Or., Doc. 2t, 1883.
Editor Willamette Firmer :
A farm gato is expensive and too often
a constant sourcoof trouble, and thorulo
should bo to have as few of them as
possible. Where a gate is found to
bo necessary it is far best to tako some
pains about it and mako it well, for a
poor gato is far moro expenBivo in tho
end than a flrst-rate one. A most im
portant point about a gate is strong dur
able and well set posts. If tho posts
are not strong enough tho gato will not
swing steadily or .remain in its proper
position, and will soon sag and giva
trouble. Tho posts should bo at least
eight inches squaro, ten or twelvo would
be better, and should bo solid wood.
They should bo set at least threo feet
deep in the ground, and the ground well
tinned around thorn. A solid oak scant
ling should be laid under tho gate at tho
surface of the ground, and should bo
just long enough to fit iu between tho
two posts. This will brace them apart in
an upright position, and help keep the
gato in place. Then, if at any time the
gate should sag a littlo, it can bo ele
vated by driving a wedge between tho
end of the scantling and tho fastening
poht. Tho gate itself should bo made
of durablo timber, heart fir, ash, yew, or
oak. Take care to select slats that aro
as light as they can bo had as weight
is objectionable, Let it be well braced
both ways, setting slats across from top
to bottom in the shape of a letter X. It
is impossible for a gate thus braced to
sag, so long as the braces are kept in
place. A good hinge and strong fasten
ings aro indUpenaablo. Tho old fash
ioned pine fastenings are good, but aro
more trouble than some of the patent
fastenings, and are constantly getting
lost Another ioint about a farm mt '
A Coming Immigrant.
Greei-ky, Col., Dec 18, 188.').
Editor Willamette Farmer:
Please do not send mo any moro num
bers of tho paper until I writo to you
again, for wo will start for tho northwest
tho latter part of this week or tho first
of next. To-day is tho wannest wo havo
had for threo weeks. Wheat is $1.10 to
1.20 per hundred. Irish potatoes 45 to
50 coats a hundred pounds. Butter 15
cents a pound. Eggs 35 cents a dozen.
I havo sent oory number of your paper
that I havo received to friends East or
given to friends here.
Yours respectfully,
Wm. T. Cakvek.
WarU on Horaei.
Scio, Or., Jan, 1,1881.
Editor Willamette Farmer:
I seo one of your subscribers wants a
remedy for warts on horses. I havo
cured, and known others curing wurts
on horses, and men too, by applying
common salt for a short timo. It is best
to bind a small thin sack with salt in it,
to tho wart, then wet it overyday or two.
I cured a largo wart on tho breast of a
fino horso a few years ago by cutting it
oil with hair by tying tight then apply
ing suit every day or two till well. The
skin iB now smooth. Yours tmly,
Wilmah GviCUH.
Sausm, Jan, 3, 18,81.
Editor Willamette Farmer :
Wutta may bo removed by excisions or
torsion ; twisting or pulling by tho hand
being very often sufficient. If they aro
on tho sheath of tho penis, or on tho
propuco surrounding tho aufaco of tho
urrethra, tho animal has to bo cast and
tho wholo mass removed by cantery or
knife, und their seat cantuiscL If this
is not dono they aro apt to grow again.
External or epidermic warts may bo
effectually removed by the following :
Acirto arsen, 3 drachms, unir. nctrnlin S
drachms, M. ot wig. Apply to tho wart
every iour Hours until they droji
uii'u grease iuo part Willi lard.
C. W. Jimmy, V. S.
off,
Toadi in Oregon.
OheoonCity, Or., Doc. 20, 1881).
Editor Willamette Farmer:
I noticed in a late issue of the Fahmkk
tho statement that there wero no toads
in Oregon. That is a niistako for there
are toads in our garden and on tho farm
every year. Our place is flvo miles
south of Oregon City.,
Yours truly, Sam'. Waujuo.v.
Gov. Irwin, of Idaho, cava lm hua not
earned hii aalary for tho pat aix month
and return it to the treasury.
A Ghostly Voyago. .
Captain Baker, of the Wm. H.'Besee,
recently arrived in Boston, says his bark
was directly in tho vicinity of Anjiers at
tho timo of tho terrible disaster, which
killed thousands, and changed tho face
of tho land around Sunda Straits. He
left Batavia August ICth, and the follow
ing morning at daylight thoso on deck
noticed a heavy bank of clouds rising
from tho west and obscuring tho sun.
and at tho samo timo tho barometer
dropped down to 29:10, and again
suddenly rose to 30 :70. All hands woro
called and sail taken off fast as possible.
heavy showers of rain and ashes com
menced fallinar, completely covonnar
decks and spars to a dopth of several
inches. By noon it had grown darker
than tho darkest night and commenced
to blow a hurricane, but, strange to say,
tho sea remained perfectly smooth.
Heavy rambllngs, liko distant thunder,
wero constantly heard at intervals. Tho
sky was lighted up by lightning flashos,
and a strong smell of Bulgher permeated
the atmosphere and mado it difficult to
breathe. All hand were affected by
this awful scene, and many of tho sailors
thought tho world was coming to an
end.
Throughout tho galo tho tido set
strongly to tho westward, aud tho bark
drove through tho water at tho rato of
fomtccn knots an hour. At 3 r. m. "tho
sky commonccd to grow brighter, but
ashes continuod to fall liko snow. On
tho following day tho bark enteral the
straits of Suuda, and tho extent of the
damage dono was plainly to bo seen.
Wholo islands had sunk, and those
that remained had changed in form.
Tho northwestern part of Krakatia
Island had disappeared, and Verelatin
and Long Island, heretofore covered
with trees, wero completely bare Thoy
saw a very largo number of bodies,
and tho water for miles was covered
with trees and dead bodies. Tho Beafor
000 miloa was a field of lava. They ex
perienced a hurricane from tho north
and northeast with a tremendious sea,
which lastod for threo days. During
this timo tho decks and cabin were
flooded with water, and a portion of the
bulworks and everything movcnblo on
the deck was washed away. Tho most
fearful thing of all was tho sea of corp
ses: "for nearly threo days wo camo
acioss body after Ixxly of persons who
had lost their lives in tho earthquake.1;
Ono man alone counted sixty in plain
sight, and thousands must have perished.
Running Away Bati.
A writer in tho Scientific American,
in treating of tho question, gives a sim
ple plan by which any ono can rid his
promises of rats mid keep tho vermin
away iormanoiitly. Ho sajs: "Wo
clear our premises of theso detestable
vermin by making whitewash yellow
with copperas, and covering the rafters
and stones in tho cellar with it. In
oory crevice in which a nit may tread
wo put tho crystals of connerim. and
scatter tho samo in tho coiners of tho
floor. Tho result was a perfect stam
podo of rats and mice. Since that time
not a footfall of either rat or monso has
been hoard about tho houw?. Every
Miring a coat of yellow wash U givon
tlie cellar as a purifier, as an oxteruii
nator, and no typhoid, dysontory or
fover attacks tho family."
Sorinum.
Mr. If. C. Perkius left, says tho Kugono
Guard, ono day this week, soverol stalks
of sorghum, mcasuringover ten feet high,
which ho raised on his farm near this
city. We hope to hear ot many acres of
sorghum being planted, and also of a
manufactory being establirbcd in this
city to warrant our farmers iu rasing tho
same. Hero is a chance for iiome of our
local capitalists engaging in a buaineas
that wilf pay a handsomo profit, beajdea
benefitting the people of the country.
II
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