Willamette farmer., June 06, 1884, Image 1

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SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, JUNE 6. 1884.
NO. 17
orreon.dent
Our JoiepMne County Correspondent.
WiLDERViLLE.Or., May 20, 1884.
Editor Willamette Former :
The little note I caused to be published
in your wiedly circulated paper some two
months ago has caused such a flood of
inquiries about Southern Oregon, from
private correspondents that I have con
cluded my easiest way was to write
another, giving more particulars about
the location from which I write; the
natural production, climatic conditions,
resources, etc.
Josephine county is in the southern
tier and second from the south-west cor
ner. It is about forty miles in length
and twenty in breadth. Its population
at the last census (1880) was less than
two thousand five hundred. The sur
face Is 'very broken and mountainous,
and quite heavily timbered on the hills
and mountain sides, and even on their
tops pine' and fir grow in abundance,
with occasional openings and consider
able prairie on the south and west sides
where excellent grass affords sustenance
for animals that are allowed to run at
large, the year round. The Applegate
and Illinois rivers are the principal
streams, with Deer, Slate, Williams,Cow,
Grave, Murphy, Jump-off-Joe, and many
other smaller streams with sufficient
water power to drive all the machinery
that will ever be required on the coast.
The grazing is abundant and excellent
for a "timbered country with various
grasses that come to seeding all along
from March until July; each drying up
in turn as the season, advances, and so
mixed with weeds as to make little and
poor hay. The mildness of the climate
being a large factor in the self preserva
tion of stock on the range during the
winter months, also permits the agricul
turalist to plow and plant all through
the same. The rains usually commence
falling in October or November and then
plowing and planting is in order until
May. From that time on, haying and
gathering planted -crops continue until
the rainy season sets in again, and many
times, for months after. In fact there is
no month in the year but what either
planting or reaping is done in Southern
Oregon. Snow seldom falls in the valleys
or lays on the ground more than a few
days at a time, and wild flowers bloom
for nine and ten months of the year.
The extremes of the mercury usually
range from twelve to ninety degrees
above zero, and only for a very few days
in a year at these extremes.
Wheat, oats, and barley are the prin
cipal cereals, grown ; but corn in favor
able localities is also a good paying crop.
Ryo is not a favorite grain in Oregon,
but yields remarkably well when planted.
Wheat and corn sell for seventy-five
cents and a dollar a bushel ; oats and
barley from fifty to seventy-five cent.
The mining interests brought most of
the early settlers here, and the influence
of successful gold hunting became so
firmly fixed in their minds that no other
business seems to have any lasting
charms for them, and the blighting
effects of that chronio mania gold
hunting is plainly visible throughout
these extreme southwestern counties ; in
their undeveloped resources and neg
lected farm improvements by the indo
lent and unprogressive 'portion of the
the inhabitants. Comparatively few of
the oldest settlers have the comforts and
conveniences about them, that those who
came into the country after the exciting
days of gold hunting had become a
thing of the past and turned their at
tention to fanning, stock-raising and
wool growing. Heretofore it was be
lieved that only the valley lands were
adapted to agricultural purposes, bat a
fow practical demonstrations have prov
ed that tie aaesM, or UbJe bad ajoag
the foot bilk produce better wheat, Irak
and grapes, than the valleys. Much of
these lands is yet in the hands of our
great and generous uncle, and he is very
anxious to have his industrious and in
telligent sons come and possess them.
Many little fertile spots along the moun
tain streams ran bo found of sufficient
size to make comfortable homes by
growing fruits, grapes, bovries, etc., and
have free and unlimited outride range
for stock. Also improved lands to be
had at prices ranging from five to
twenty dollars an acre. We need enter
prising and industrious farmers and nlso
capitalists to come in and take t3 place
of these old fossils and Bip Van Winkles,
and compel their barren fields to pro
duce abundant harvest, and utilize some
of the finest water power on the coast, in
manufacturing the various raw materials
produced in this great and growing
country, and then making it up among
us instead of sending it east and then
buying back the same, manufactured, at
prices double and even quadrupled to
what it could have been put on the mar
ket for, if manufactured here.
The climate of Southern Oregon is re
markably congenial ' and healthful ;
nights always cool, and invigorating,
giving heathful and refreshing slep.
The opinion seemed to prevail in the
East that all of Oregon is yet in the
rough, and that desirable farming lands
can still be settled upon near some
flourishing little town or village, and,
that in a year or two at most, they can
be cultivating their own fields and reap
ing abundant harvests. To such, bow
ever, we would say, that no such places
can now be found in this part of Oregon.
But, farms somewhat improved can be
bought now in this part of Josephine
county, where good and comfortable
livings can be made, for three, four, and
five hundred dollars; which perhaps
would be but a small advance on the
costs of improvements, and getting the
farm of 160 acres (the usual size)
thrown in. Much of tho land on such
farms it must be understood is of poor
quality, and often the greater part in the
timber, or hills. Many people from the
old settled States, and prairie countries,
who come here, and see our fearfully
broken and mountainous State, turn
back in mingled disappointment and
disgust Aside from our heathful and
salubrious climate, we are as yet com
paratively free from the oppressive
dictates of fashion in dress, and clothe
ourselves for comfort and economy's
sake instead. Work hores sell for all
prices along, from fifty to one hundred
dollars. Cows, forty and fifty apiece.
I am about eight miles southwest from
from Grant's pass; (a railroad station)
have no lands to sell, but can furnish
two or three houses for families until
they can locate, or buy houses of their
own, and will cheerfully give all the aid
I can in assisting immigrants to locate
among us. U. b. deav.
Ism County Crap Proapecta.
Ibvino, Or., May 26, 1884.
Editor Willamette Farmer:
Early grain is looking splendid, but
all late sown grata and gardens have
been suffering from the ravages of cut
worms and want of rain. We have had
two light showers of rain which have
done great good, but more is needed.
Grain that was sown since the last rains
did not come up well, and where the
ground was in fine condition the cut
worms have taken it until it looks
almost like fresh plowed ground. The
looser and finer the ground the worse
the worms, and oate have Buffered moro
than either wheat or barley sewn at same
time. Wo hope that rain will come and
stop their ravages.
Respectfully, A. C. Jex.viso.
X
cess, sired by Pride of Ittontiord, iz
pounds ; Josie, 12 pounds ; Nellie Fox,
(has three buck lambs), 8 J pounds ;
Buck's Eeliance, 10 pounds; Jumbo,' 9
pounds; Prince, 11 pounds; Pride of
Montford No. 3, 81 pounds. Average
weight of lleece, 10 8-9. I do not send
this in any boasting mood but to show
the weight of fleece of this breed of
sheep on our pastures. G. W. Hunt.
Weather Beport tor May 1884.
YV Eola, Juno 2, 1881.
Editor Willamette Fnuuer:
During May, 1884, there mpio 2 days
during which rain fell, und uu aggre
gate of 0.42 inches of water, 12 clear, 9
fair and 8 cloudy days other than those
on which rain fell.
The mean temperature for the mouth
was 57.89 deg. .
Highest dally mean temperature foi
tho month, 70 deg. on the-. 10tl).
Lowest daily mean temperature for th
month, 45 deg. on the 4th.
Mean temperature for tho month at
2 o'clock p. M., 66.94 deg.
Highest temperature for the month, 80
deg. at 2 r. M. on tho 18th.
Lowest temperature for tho month, 48
deg. at 7 a. m. on the 4th.
The prevailing winds for the month
were from the north during 19 days,
southwest 10 days, south 2 days.
During May, 1883, there were 5 rainy
days and 1.62 inches of water, 9 clear
and 17 cloudy days. ,.
Mean temperature for the month.
55.80 deg.
Highest daily mean temperature for
the month, 68 deg., on the 19th.
Lowest dailv mean temperature for
the month, 44 deg. on the 16th.
T. PeAKO.
lorn akrapaUra rteaces.
WiiiTEAKEB.Or,, May 14, 1881.
Editor Willamette Farmer i
I send herewith a record of bhropshirea
sheared yesterday : Daisy Redpath, 9
pounds; Lady Redpath, yearling ewe,
sired by Wooly Eyes, 121 pounds ; Unn
OLEOMARGARINE.
There is n law in New York State and
some' other States, requiring that overy
package of the above, or any other sub
stituTo for butter should be plainly
marked as such. Notwithstanding that
the public know that it is a manufactured
article they will buy it, and it is so
generally consumed by tho working
clnsses that the dairy interests have suf
fered very much. It is said that much
of this manufactured butter is palatable,
and as it cannot be proved to be dcliteri
ous to health, tho sale of it cannot bo
prohibited. Tho great call for this
cheaper article has led to great increase
in tho number of factories and a propor
tionate decrease of a pure dairy product.
This state of affairs is hard on farmers
who have extensivo herds of cows, de
pending on butter making.
Acme Fruit Drier.
Messrs. Strang and Zimmerman own
the right for the Acme Fruit Drier for
Marion county, and we publish their
advertisement giving notice of their bus
iness intentions. The Acme is a very
complete drier and excels because it can
be divided into as many sections as a
man wishes and each section can be kept
at specific degree of heat, if the fireman
will watch the fire and regulate the
dampers. As to capacity, so much heat
will do so much work, with ventilation to
suit. A few years ago small fruit driers
were unknown and large ones were very
expensive. New ideas have been ingen
iously applied ana we nave several anera
that do good work and as to cost are
within the means of any orchardist
There is no excuse for wasting fruit
when there is a market for dried fruit
that will yield from 50 cents to $1 for a
bushel of choice fruit, or of fair quality
of any variety. Sending fruit to market
green, or just ripe, is ery uncertain as a
KnsinpHs venture. The onen markets
are often overstocked and fruit spoils or
sells for a song. To be independent of
markets you must own a good drier,
make first-rate fruit that will bring a
fair price. Do that and you will make
money off your orchards, otherwise you
may lose heavily every year.
Independence West Side: While in
King's Valley last week, we found the
farmers very much elated over a new
wheat that had just been introduced
there from Germany. We were shown
by Mr. Joseph Edwards twenty-two
acres wkich were sown late in the fall
and is now thirty-six inches. Along
side of this wheat was some red chaff,
sown ono day earlier, which was not over
twelve inches high. Not one frost-bit
ten biaue coma ue seen among im uuicii
wheat, while the red cnatr showed many.
It is claimed that this wheat went safely
through the great freeze of two years
ago, while all other kinds were destroy
ed. It is also claimed that on account
of its early ripening it will smother ou t
the wild oats. The yield per acre is
about the same as other wheat, but for
flour the millers say it will mako five
pounds more to the bushel, air. lteuben
Hastings has also eight acres of this
wheat sown alongside of red chaff, so as
to give the two a practical test,
Umn T V. flill X- fin., of Portland.
Oregon, have sent us a copy of their
newly issued Chinook dictionary. ThU
ii tha tanth nlition. It is eomnlete and
! contains many new wards and phrases.
Tie Most Profitable Wool.
There is evidently great progress
making on this coast in the improvement
of sheep and wool, and there ran be
little doubt that California, especially,
will continue one of the leading wool
producing States in the Union for a long
time to come. There is considerable
land here not adapted to cultivation, but
valuable for sheep raising, and most
breeds of sheep do well in this climate.
The annual wool product of California
now aggregates a value of $6,000,000.
The magnitude of this industry makes it
important for wool growers to consider
the classes of sheep best adapted for pro
ducing the most desirable wool for the
manufacturer, and which, at the same
time, will afford a good profit to the
raiser, upinions vary as to tne most
profitable sheep to keep, but there should
be but one oninion as to tho aualitv of
the stock, which, of whatever kind selec
ted should be the best bred that can be
found. All kinds of good wools are
needed, but the demand varies with the
requirements of manufacturers. A woolen
manufacturer is compelled to change
the style of his goods to suit the fashion ;
this croates an extra demand for a class
of wool suitable for the goods to benado.
Jt is, therefore, important that wool
growers should be posted on the class of
wool that is the most valuable and in
the greatest demand. There is a branch
of woolen manufacturing called combing.
This process requires a sound, healthy
Btapled wool. Since this has been intro
duced into this country, it has proved
profitable, and has grown rapidly. Thus
far manufacturers have not been able to
get half the combing wool necessary to
supply the demand, and have been
obliged to obtain it from Canada, and
Australia.
We aro aware that fine wools are in
reauest. the supply of domestic thorough
bred wool falling greatly below the re
quirements of manufacturers. This is
tho reason why such a large quantity of
fine wool is imported from Australia,
not because it is better than wool grown
in tho United States, as there is no better
wool grown than the thoroughbred
Medium combing is also in demand.
The best wool of this class we have ever
seen is that produced from tho cross be
tween Shorpshire and tne Spanish Merino.
It possesses all the qualities needed in
luster and strength. We have recently
received samples of wool grown by J. B.
Hoyt, of Suisun. One of these is a cross
from the third cross with tho half cross.
It is seven month's growth, and
measures three and a half inches and in
the quality cannot be excelled. We have
received other samples from Mr. Hoyt of
half and three-quarter cross, equally as
good and valuable in proportion for comb
ing. These wools, when unwashed, should
readily command in the Eastern market
35 to 37 cents per pound. These sheep
are hardy either in their purity, or when
crossed. The latter are a larger sheep
than the former, and produce morejclean
wool to tho lleece, commanding a higher
price and readier sale than any other
wools now grown. These croeses and
the pure Spanish Merino sheep we con
sider the true stock for the Pacific Coast,
and the sooner our wool growers look
into this matter the belter. It has been
clearly demonstrated that poor stock is
hard to dispose of at any price, Grocer
and uountry Slcrcnant.
lortat garsaat,
With harness, as with many other
things, the best U tho cheapest, i do not
mean to tay that fancy harness which
costs a high price is tho cheapest for fio
farmer, but what I mean is that well
made, sewed and riveted harness, of good,
soft, well-tanned leather, is the cheaper
at twice tho price than that which is
rjiorly made from incferior leather.
There is also another class of harness that
tire farmer should avoid buying; that
which is made merely to sell, and which
the maker will let you have at almost
at any price rather than not to have you
purchase at all. The only good place to
get reliable harness, is to buy direct from
the manutaetnrir who uses the best of
oak-tanned leather, and employs nono
but experienced workmon. When pur
chasing your harness tho team upon
wiucn ii is io oe useu snouia oe at mu
shop; especially is this necessary in
order to get a perfectly fitting collar. All
farmers are not able to fit collars upon
their horses, therefore it is of the first
importaneo that the seller should bo a
competent judge, capable of fitting a
collar upon any horse with the greatest
possiblo comfort. A large number of
horses annually are permanently injured
by the want of a proper fitting collar.
Naturnlly a horse's- shouldors are tho
same in strength, shape and toughness,
therefore a collar should be of the same
shape and firmness on both Bides. But
many of them are not, and this is the
chief cause of sore shoulders so prevalent
among work horses. It often happens
that one side of a collar is stuffed firmer
than the other ; and is sometimes the
case that the leather on one side is thicker
or harder than on the other. Such
collars should never be brought out of
tho shop.
She dined with the family of a pro
fessor at Hague. As soon its those at the
table were helped they at once cut up all
that was on their plates, and then put
ting their knives dbwn leaned on the
table with their left hands, and with
their forks disposed of the food with
celerity and without interruption, At
supper tho hostess ground and cooked
the coffee at tho table,, and the butter
was taken with individual knives out of
an earthen pot that was used in common.
Cheese was servul and secured in a
similar manner, and was smeared over
thick slices of buttered bread. When
the eating was finished, everybody still
sat and watched the hostess wash the
dishes, which she did at table, using the
snowiest of napkins, without wetting her
fingers, while tho master puffed a cigar.
Of all the pitiable objects about the
farm in winter a half-fed pig is the worst
The rule should be in small business :
"Keep but few pigs over winter, and
keep them well." The fall pigs need to
be kept growing rapidly through the
winter, but unless they have a separate
pen tho chances are that tho older ones
will get the most of the feed. Such pigs
kepi in good condition through the
winter may be turned into a clover pas
ture in early summer, and they will
make a wonderful growth and may be
turned off in October and make good
pork with a little corn given u few weeks
before killing. Nothing is mado in half
feeding any stock, especially swine.
Bussel fc Co., who manufacture the
Massillion thresher, have a branch in
Portland. The machine is spoken of
in the highest terms and has been used
in this State for several years, and have
given abundant satisfaction in every
instance. Tho agents at Portland can
supply all needed information. See new
ad. in this issue.
OCT ITP CLUM.
The Farmer is making an effort to enlist
in its behalf all tho reading and thinking
portion of the farmers of the North West.
Subscription has been reduced as low
as wo dare venture in the belief that wo can
double our lit of paying subscribers and
greatly increaso its influcnco and popu
larity. The Farmer is closing its fifteen year
of publication. It i no new venture, no
uncertain thing, but well founded and
ably conducted.
Any single subscriber can remit $2.00
and receive the Farmer ono year from
date of payment.
Those who write and tend in a club of
(lye, all paying at once, can have the
Farmer ono year for $1.75 each.
Old friends of tho Farmer can easily
secure among their neighbors five or ten
names and eccuro their paper at $1.75 or
$1.50 per year.
We hope that many will got up clubs
and vindicate our faith In their good will
toward their old time friend,
Tiik Willamette Fahmm.
What will cure that dull pain ia Bin
head nd bortyt Dr, Henley's dandelloy
tonic
J. ,--.-