THE POLK COUNTY OBSERVES, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1915,
valuB fnr ovorv .. . A .
fT T- X aeai or practical work has hnn I "" '
; as rseen tsv an
Observant Outsider
' Jg article by A. H. Hav
ir in The Evening Tele-
i tui.
.Hi , e., Dec. 17. Dallas should
I t shipping center for hops
p ..lies. Not that the city now
i in shipping facilities nor in bulk
le crops go in the county. But
county should specialize in the
re of hops and prunes, thereby
lng a strong market on account
antity and quality. The agrlcul
cureall doctor has done harm in
county by yelling diversify!
k county Tanks second among
iiriy-iowr counnes or tne state in
e pro tion of hops; fifth in
g and p.ums; fifth in cherries
to p is; seventh in strawber-
seventh In raspberries; eighth
Inuts; eighth in quinces; tenth
iacnes; thirteenth in apples
anth in grapes; fourteenth in
ts; eleventh in wheat; sixth in
twenty-third in barley; twenty-
in rye; fourteenth in potatoes
etfe in hay; twenty-fifth in alfal-
evnth in Clover. In point of
he countv ranks twenty-ninth:
ulation per square mile it ranks
rlth 22.8, In population it ranks
itn.
(Hence the best teacher after
.8 shown tuat the land near Dal-
pecuh. "y adapted to the pro-
l of ho and prunes, to the pro
i of o .city and quality, both
als in marketing at a profit.
than b.vuO acres of land have
iven to hop culture, the lower
being used, while more than
acre of land is producing
Nearly one-half as much more
producing prune trees which
me into bearing within two or
rears. Prune growers have
laking money in recent years
ey are enthusiastic over the
itles of prune production on
lands of Polk county, where
Inage Is excellent and danger
is or little concern.
lence teaches that the areas
country suited to the produc-
nlgti class prunes are limited,
y limited, and by proper care
opment Oregon should control
ine industry, with Polk and
counties leading as centers of
Ion and shipment. The out
prune will be more or less
on account of climatic and
jltlona. and the land specially
o the growth of high class
mid be planted in an effort to
6 industry big enough in Ore-
e controlled by Oregonians as
s pass and perhaps other sec-
developed.
ralues are high in Polk coun
se the land' Is fertile and re
readlly to cultivation. Yell;
one acre in three in the corni
er the plow. Prices have not
d as badly here as in some
et men do not go upon the
develop it. The spirit has
fard speculation, pereparing
for sale, and allowing the
r to go upon it and make his
"he call everywhere is for
women to oultivate the soil,
ivestock, to produce fruit, to
oes, to liv in the rural dls-
mnty is rich In traditions of
days when simple living was
of life. Here the pioneer
land and lived in the open
Here city ways were slowly
J. Here thrift did not re
als cultivation of the soli,
are really offered too much
in who would live upon the
I initiative and laarierahin
face of the prodigality of
t the surface of Polk county
and ample drainaee in nm.
"Snsyhlch Jow, from!
the mountains toward the Willamette.
most rertlle sections
of the county the land is low Slid
level, and except for the production of
hops the land needs ditching or tiling
In sections the gray loam soil predom
inates and no real success In agricul-
-u,0 vnu-ue nau until tins class of land
u u arainea. The expense will
likely range between J30 and Sfin nor-
acre, but the land will carry it easily
under improved mettinda nf nr-n
which will naturally follow drainage.
Much of the low land of the wninm.
ette Valley has been soured by the
heavy winter rains and the flnnrtlnir hv
opruig iresneis. Tne natural lime In
the soil has been washed out. and a
new supply must be given, either by
application or agricultural lime or by
carrying tne water rrom the land, giv
ing opportunity for air to restore the
missing elements in the soil. Little
effort has been made in Polk county
to drain form lands.
Much of the 'best land in Polk
county was settled under the old dona
tion land claim act. which allowed a
man and his wife to acquire title to
xvj acres or public land. As values
rose the more thrifty farmers began
to buy all the land that joined the old
homesteads, and some of them suc
ceeded to a marked degree. In Polk
county are to be found many beautiful
large farms, with excellent buildings,
and all modern conveniences. These
places are visually given to stock rais
ing to blooded stock raising
For the county is famous for Jersey
cattle, high grade horses and Angora
goats.
The large holdings which interfere
with development and hence have be
come a community liability are those
accumulations of land which show the
earmarks of the land-hog. And the
earmarks of the land-hog are tumble
down buildings, poorly cultivated
fields, much idle land, no blooded
stock, few children and waning com
munity spirit. Poor crops and low
prices are no more certain elements
in retarding real development than is
the land hog.
Thousands of acres of good land in
Polk county is covered with oak trees.
grown since the settlers drove the In
dians from the country. This Is the
red hill land, famous for the color and
quality of fruit produced on it. Clear
ing this oak land is a heart-breaking
job, hence progress Is slow. Much
of the land has excellent air drainage
and is adapted to prune and pear cul
ture. But it is held at high prices,
and when the expense of celaring is
taken into account men are not an
xious to undertake the task of subdu
ing the land and then waiting for
prune or other trees to mature.
On the other hand there is plenty of
land now poorly farmed which could
be given thorough cultivation, with
profit to the farmer and the commun
ity were it not for the steadfastness
with which large holdings of land are
being held by pioneer families.
Citizens of Dallas expect to reach
tidewater direct by rail within a few
years. They hope for the completion
of the Salem, Falls City & Western
railroad from the summit of the coast
mountains down the Siletz river to the
Pacific ocean as soon as conditions
settle, following peace in Europe.
The extension of the road westward
would open a great belt of timber and
create markets for the products of
Polk county farms. The road was
opened from Salem to Black Rock a
few years ago. Dallas now has car
shops, employing a number of mechan
ics all the year through.
Dallas business men are supporting
the movement for better roads in a
practical way and farmers are willing
to pay for constuction and repair
work. Everybody, It seems, wants the
work done and well done, and they
have stood firmly behind John Teal,
county judge, in his campaign for
good roads on the plan of a "dollar in
and more has been planned to be car
riea on rrom year to year. All the
highways leading Into Dallas havie
been gravelled and are kept in condi
tion ior service 12 months of the year.
In Polk county there are 13nn mflon
of public roads and the expenditure
this year, for construction and renair
work, aggregated $70,000.
Men of DallaB do not lack in the
boosting spirit Intentionally, at least.
I found an active community spirit
witn plenty to show for it paved
streets, are-proof buildings, good side
walks and all. I also found the best
window display of Hawaiian pineapple
that I have seen in a Journey of 2,000
miles in Oregon. While Polk county
produces prunes, pears, apples and all
the rest of the "diversity" of crops
which have been the pride of the peo
ple, not a good window display was to
be found in which Oregon products
were emphasized. This matter is not
mentioned in a spirit of criticism, but
Decause tne pineapple display was so
mucn superior to anything offered cy
the stores In cities of 3,000 people in
Oregon during the European war.
Dallas, in common with dozens of
other towns in Oregon, seems to rec
ognize the old-time tradition of Bend
ing all the money out of the state,
while producers at home are struggl
ing to find markets for their produce
and business men are joining in the
chorus, "Back to the land."
A few Christmas Suggestions
Smoking Set Library Lamps
n -. JL.
SOCIETY
A Fine Program Twenty voune la
dies oi the Methodist church, mem
bers of the Standard Bearers, spent
a very pleasant evening with Miss
Dollie Burke Monday. A fine pro
gram and interesting mission study
were features of the evening, follow
ed by a jolly time, and toothsome refreshments.
MuBic Section Meeting The first
regular fall gathering of the Music
section of the Woman's club will be
held at the home of Mrs. A. B. Star-
buck, on Court street, on the after
noon of December 29. An especially
interesting program is being arranged
iui uus occasion.
PERRYDALE.
Mrs. J. P. Caldwell was a Dallas
visitor Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. Lynn returned from
Portland Saturday.
Mrs. R. L. Duignan from Portland
is visiting her Darents hern fnr
few weeks.
Mr. C. L. Biatcher anil dn llP'htpr
were Dallas visitors Saturday.
Mrs. J. T. Friar and daughter, Miss
T.nrnla anA T.-..i
. ." ""u 1,iu":" -"-eyi were uauas
visiiors Saturday.
Miss Lucile Kevt wna a vicitn,. J
luciHinnville Saturday and Sunday.
xiicitj was a surnnse nnrtv vtmn o
the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Cald
well Tuesday evening. The friends
presented to them a silver set. The
evening was greatly enjoyed.
Notice Until further notice the
Derry warehouse will be operated on
Thursday, Fridav and Sn turrlnv nulir
Fruit Baskets
Dressing Table
Pedestal
Library Table
Lorain Range
Foot Stools
Lady's Rocker
Library Table
Rugs
Kitchen Cabinet
Opening evenings until Christmas,
l M EVENINGS
ur ctore will be open until
every night until Christmas
eginning Saturday, Dec. 18.
Ladles' Fancy Silk Waists, - $1.99
lies Fancy Silk Petticoats, 1.98, 2.98,3.98
lies' Fancy Silk Kimonas, - - 4.98
RUGS
th Axciinster 36x72 Inches, - 3.75
th Axninster 27x54 inches, - - 1.98
th Axrrinster 18x36 inches, - .98
ch Covers, - . 98, 1.40, 1.98, 2.98
icoats for Men and Ladies range in
price from - - 2.98 to 14.75
Slijr-ers for men, ladies and chil-
- - - - 49,98,1.49
TOYS AND BOOKS.
' f r: a 1 Oc np. - Dolls from 1 Oc up.
J f i Girls, 25c Books fgr Boys, 25c
-2 f.r Children, 5c to 25c Modern Fic-
tion, 45c
'A
"J ARE ABSOLUTELY MNTEED
ne
:!den Rule S' Te
strict 1
laintenarl
, featnres
pwmience
pupies the
NOTICE TO CREDITOS.
Notice is hereby eiven that tlio ,,r,.
dersigned, Oscar Havter. has Wn ,1,,.
ly appointed by the County Court of
me oiaite oi uregon for the County
of Polk, administrator of the estate
of Thaddena Clark Shaffer, deceased,
aim nua ijuaunea.
All persons having claims against
the said estate are hereby reouiind tn
present them, duly verified, with the
proper voucuers, within six months
from the Ate of this notice, to the
ouiu auminiccrator at nvt ftmrm
in the Dalli Citv BfnrBiiiMinr Tn
Dated and first published, Novem
OSCAR HAYTKR
Administrator of the estate nf Thorl
ueus Clark bhaffer, deceased.
Nov.23-Dec.21
SOI CHRISTMAS
GIFT 1GESTIS
The problem of gift giving must be
solved. The Great Day is near, and
yon can choose well from the hun
dreds of gifts at this store:
Parisian Ivory Ware
Manicure Sets
.Ladies' Dresser Sets
Mirrors and Hand Glasses
Hudnnfs Perfumes and Toilet Wa
ters
Ladies' Purses and Bags
Shaving Sets
Razors and Strops
Parker Fountain Pens
Stationery
Musical Instruments
Music Bolls.
Humidor Jars
Cigars
mere are so manv innmnni.
gifts for any member of th. famiiv
wis wo cannot Begin to tell yon of
them alL .Come in any time and v.
wut De glad to aid yon in aelacMn
JOUI guts.
ULLER
P
Main Street, Corner Mill
HAS ANTICIPATED YOUR
CHRISTMAS-GIFT WANTS
And extends a most cordial invitation to the pur
chasing public to visit the big Daylight Store, dur
ing the pre-holiaay season and inspect the stock,
which includes gift goods for every member of the
family; all new, fresh, crisp and sparkling. . . .
A beautiful line of net
waists just in from the fac
tory, the latest patterns.
Choice assortment of the
best in Christmas handker
chiefs, in pretty boxes.
New Handbags, an ap
proprite and lasting gift.
Fancy Silks by the yard.
Kimonas for ladies and
children in large and vari
ed assortment.
See our line of daintily
conceived Boudoir caps.
House Slippers for ladies
and children. '
Shirts and Ties for men
and boys. All new.
A magnificent array of Toys. The latest things for the
little folks. Bring in the children.
-3. .
Ji.
wore
Successor to Dallas Mercantile Co.
Get a coupon tomorrow
Read how on page one today.
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