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About The Bend bulletin. (Bend, Or.) 1903-1931 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1913)
PAGE TWO Sparks Tells of Home Building Superintendent of Demonstration Farm Explains Use of Loggcd-Off Lands to Settlers (This nrtlelo la by II. W. Sparks, superintendent of tlio demonstration farm of Uio 8talo Collego of Washing ton. Mr. Sparks la an expert In lits lino nnil his srttclo will bo found woll worth whlfoy Editor.) Any country within whc-soboumi-rlea thcro la a bountiful supplj of water for tho toil nnd temperate cli matic condition! obtain will seo in tho near futnro tho greatest development in tho homo building over teen on this earth. Perhaps thcro will bo somo who road this article who will question my judgment in this state ment and I will plead that I am an optimist by naturo but havo been schooled by experience to believo that any ono who haa a woll-fouuded tho ory can justify his confidenco In tho accuracy of that theory by substan tial evidence. Proceeding thus, wo ask: "What aro tho factors for home bulldlngf And wo answer: First, tho man; second, climatic conditiona; third, tho soil, and, fourth, natural diversified re sources, which wo will consider in ro- rcrso order hero named. Strictly speaking, tho first three factors aro resources, and tho chief resources, but as they aro to somo degrco common with all inhabited countries, wo want to call attention to thoso that aro not common, and they aro many and valuable I bellevo tho timo will justify us In the statement that tho means of transportation, which will include tho many transcontinental and local rail roads, urban, interarban and electric lines; tho splendid system of water ways; tho natural grades; limitless supply of tho best material for road building, together with tho bound-to-build and-build-right spirit of our peo ple, is a resource of inestimable worth to commercial interests, as permanent commerce always travels along the lines of least resistaneo and easiest grades, and to tho homo builders on tho banks and terraced benches of the inland sea, lake or river; or back on tho plateaus or mountain-sides. Then, tho water power endless, boundless and "going on forovcr." Manufacturing is always prosperous whore tbero is cheap power and ade quate transportation facilities, and when we remember that we havo within reach mines of the precious metals, vast deposits of iron, coal, manufacturing coal, ornamental and building atone, forests of timber, is there any one who can correctly est: rnato the possibilities of any place where naturo has been moro lavish in bestowing hor gifts If we were to judge tho soils by tho amount of mineral elcmonts nec essary for crop production they eon tain aa shown by chemical analyses wo would say that thero are many places where thero is much more uni formly good soiL We have on the Pacific Coast thousands of acres which can be correctly classed as good, and considerable that is poor when judged by the soil chemist's standard. Indeed, we think wo can say that the soils are moro varied here than aro most of our agricul tural soils. We havo found as many as four distinct typos of soil on ono acre, justifying us in using the gen eral term "spotted In places," but all these types have a special valoe when we know how to select and adapt crops and methods of produc tion best suited to our soil. But there is a second factor that asserts itself here, upsets and completely Touts some of our preconceived notions of soil fertility. I refer to climatic conditions, which havo not always been fully- appreciated. The most fertile. soil in the world would be valueless without water to transfer tbo ele ments of the soil's fertility to the growing plant. Temperature of soil and air, together with sunshino in season to assist in elaborating and assimilating these elements. Any com bination of soil and climatic condl tlons that has produced a vast for est of mammoth trees will produce bountifully of other and more valu able crops with our co-operation. It would bo very difficult to compute tho full value of tho annual rainfall of this country, coming as it does in greatest quantities in the dormant season in gentle, falling rain, without severe winds and later sunshine and showers blended. There is untold mil lions in them. It is no wonder tbo Egyptians of old while working with their parched fields would shout and cry with joy, when they saw It com ing, "Waterl Waterl Great Is wa ter! Water Is bread I" It Is true that the steady downpour of rain is at times trying, but we believe that the agonies of wobfeet and mossbaeks are not so killing as the despair that comes from seeing our crops dry, wither and burn for want of water, I havo often board it said that many, if not all, of tho farmers of the arid belt would gladly give three-fourths of the fertility of their soil for ono fourth of tho waters represented by tho annual railfall in western Wash ington and Oregon. It is also true that in places tbo exeessivo rains leach out and carry away much of the availablo fertility of tbo soil, oat factor cornea Into action for wo beliovo that well directed soil and crop management will mlnlmlre, if not fully control, this difficulty. Wo nro making wonderful progress In this direction, aided nnd supported by tho efficient corps of workers from tho United States Department of Agrlcul turo, our state agricultural colleges, universities, sub-stntions, and by the Jiurbnnks and r.disona of overy branch of production. Those, to gether with tho creed of n square ileal, which Is abroad in our land, the splendid public school system and tho ever increasing army of tho brightest nnd best, all conspire to solvo tho great problems of tho homo builder of today. Alt the nations havo over pro duced soldiers of fortune who havo 'beaten their swords into pruning hooks," and converted camp equip age into homes of humblo necessity. Who shall say what they can not do today! Aa an evidence of what man can do wo will briefly call attention of tho reader to tho splendid results achieved at Hood Itlver, Oregon, and Puyal- very best, but thcro la nothing In them, or about them, but what can bo duplicated a thousands of places. It Is also truo that thoro was much of hard work, patience, nnd at times failures that wero discouraging, Tho land hnd to bo cleared of tho stumps nnd brush on tbo sur,fnco nnd under tho surface. Sometimes thero seemed to be moro under tho surfneo than on tho surface, I beliovo it Is fortunato for this favored country and tho good people who inhabit it that tho land Is ex ponslvo to prepare for cultivation tn that we arc practically treo from that class of undesirable adventurers who havo been for generations moving from ono pieco of virgin soil to an other, exhausting tho accumulated fer tility, giving nothing In return, whoso solo motive has been that of exploit ation, crowding out neighbors and all tho better results that como from com munity co-operation. Tho cost of clearing makes most of tho extensive methods prohibitive. Naturo seems to havo conspired and by proclamation of stumps and brush served notice to When Niagara Falls Ran Dry Many Year Ago Ico Dam Shut Off Water and Cataract Became Silent for a Brief Timo w idc jiutnor oj wis jttucic at tvori HKKSpMg WES? w " y- wSwRKBBm Err v. .. ft .'.-oMNsslsa WMSSmmm jWEW&WWflWBISw A 'wfWBhSfj WBk$3BsS!v: IBSf' ' ''"ifflBsHst sssssssBssHsffiFuVHSBOHl Jfsywim OtvLaHsHslVBBManBBV BSSSSSSSSSnBWtsJ-WTffWullmaMffT ifBMRVBsKaBaSBBBflBBBBBBKL BBBBBBFvP&"lY93Sa9BlaB8EfiflsBSBBVPBBBBBBBBHBBBH fKA0B"SJBBBsfllBBBBBBBBBBiBBSBBBBBBflflBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBH Only ouco In history has ' tho roar of tho mighty falls of Niagara been silenced. This startling phenomenon occurred on March 31, 184S. Knrly on that morning pooplo living near tho falls wero surprised by a strango hush as startling in effect as would be an unexpected and tremendous ex plosion in nn ordinarily quiet com munity. Many persons thought they hnd boon afflicted with deafness, and all wero oppressed by n sensa tion of dread. With tho coming of light tho am mod pooplo comprehended tho reas ot for tho disquieting silence. Whero they wero used to see tho great fnlli was a baro precipice down tho face of which a few amnll nnd constantly diminishing streams trickled. Above the falls, Instead of a rushing river, much greater execution when tho ground is full of water. This is etpo dally true tn tho light or open soil, such as tho light ash or loam soils, tho sandy or gravelly lonms. Again, when thero is somo old, water-soaked lugs, shoot thorn early iu tho season thus giving them nil tho timo posslblo to burn so that they can bo dried out. And tho slashing should also bo done as early as poudhlo after the foliago is out and soma cam taken in falling tho brush and timber In places whore tho material is not thick. A llttlo extra effort to fall portions to gether In windrows or heaps Is rou duclvo of bottor burns. Wo hn seen somo wonderful results from a good burn, practically everything cleaned up from tho first fire. Thero haa been considerable prog ress tn tho power methods of clearing land. Klectricity, stenni, and horse power aro utilized now as never be fore, and tho application of firo to tho roots of tho big stump, called the charplt method, is steadily growing in favor. This Is especially adapted to tho needs of tho homo builder as no expensive equipment Is needed) but, like all new methods, it iia Its adap tations and limitations. Wu havo ob served In traveling over our territory that there is a constantly Increasing number making uso of this method When attending any gathering of farmers now it rarely happens that thero aro not somo thero who lme been successful, and quite frequently wo hear tho expression! "Our only regret is that wo did cot learn of this years ago." Wo are learning. Wo are making real, progress. Wo shall take way a large part of tho hard labor by planning our work so as to take advantage of season, meth ods and artificial aid that comes from the well directed uso of power ns represented in powder, steam and with horses. Wo shall learn much from each other and we are all thinking nnd putting our thoughtsinto action. was only n linked channel, with In significant brooks splashing among tho rooks. All day long this astound lug condition continued, nnd persons wnlkod, dry shod, from tho Canadian side, along tho very edge of tho prec ipice, as far ns Goat Island, oil tho American side. Knrly In tho morning of April lit tho familiar thunder of tho great cataract was nsjaln heard, and linn iiuver stneo been silent, though sim ilar conditions, with liko results, might prevail any spring. Tho winter of 1M7 IN w oo of extrvmo sovnrltv, mid leu of un precodonted thickness furinml on Iiftko I'rlo. When tho break up onino, toward tho end of March, a strong southeast wind was blowing, nnd tho Ico was piled Into banks as largo ns Iceberg. Toward thn night of Mnrcb nuth tho wind amldonly ohongod to the opposite direction, Increased to n terrific- gain and drove tho leo Into the entrance of Niagara river with such force that a htigo dam was formed, of such thickness nnd solid It)' r. to bo practically" Impenetrable nnd strong enough to hold baek tho great mass of water pressing against it. At last, In tho early morning of April 1st, tho Ico dam gave way under tho tremendous pressure of re strained water, and tho falls wero unco again ono of tho sconlo wonders of tbo world, lnp, Washington, two notable ox amples among many others wo could namo if spaco permitted, but these will suffice. Here wo have a develop ment that ia very remarkable and bo lievo we could challenge the world to produeo records of equal development in the same length of time, llere tho forest and jungle havo been trans formed into the moat productive fruit and berry lands, orchards and gar dens in a very few years. And there arc thonsands of acres of soli, whero the climatic conditions aro just as fa vorable as at either of these places, practically undeveloped, waiting for tho man who can organize, co-operate, give leadership, and livo the square deal. Wo have always had men. Yes, but there is a difference. We live in a progressive age. The little school house all over the land has dono a splendid work. The consolidated high school will do, and ia doing, better. The next generation will be better qualified for tho world's work and here in this favored land the founda tions will bo laid deeper and broader, and the superstructure better adapted to all the needs of all the people. I bellevo there are few, if any, places in all our land that offer as many inducements to the borne build er as parts of western Washington and Oregon, possessing, as it doej, a combination of climate and soil that produces wonderful results. Wo have seen measured and weighed twenty seven and eight-tenths tons of tho best quality of forage crops for tho dairy cow per acre. We have seen three crops from the same land in one seasontwo of vetches and grain, followed by corn that matured suffi ciently for excellent feed. We have seen strawberries literally cover the ground with their luscious fruit which yielded tho owner at the rate of 11,700 per acre. We have seen a cherry treo produce $30 worth of fruit per year, and pears growing equally well, with many other varieties of tree, vine and cane fruits yielding abundantly. We havo seon the dairy herd feeding on tbo green meadows practically overy day of tbo year, and tho advantages for poultry rais ing aro not to bo questioned all of this, and more, on tho logged-off lands, And tho best part of the story of these record producers is that they nil beliovo they can do better yet. When wo have learned to employ those methods and crops best adapted to our local conditions and not farm as wo did in other places or as our fathers did, as this has been the cause of many failures. It Is true that It is now that the fourth and great- some of the figures given aro of the all tho soil robbers "here aro homes in plenty for tho workers. Drones need not apply." Bocanso of these seeming barriers, and also tho fact of tho unsurpassed climatic conditions, the demands of the ever Increasing population of consumers, we shall see the small farm rule; the constantly improving intenilvo methods prevail, and the practical communities making for better social and industrial con ditions. Homes hero will be well worth tho price. By experience, wo are learn ing to clear the land with much less expense and labor. We aro learn ing that there are seasons when parts I of tbo work is accomplished to much better advantage than at others, thus a given amount of powder will do The Only White Leghorn Farm in the World that can make the following statement: Storrs Agricultural Experiment Sta tion, Atom, Conn., Aug. i, 1011. To whom concerned: In the course of our White Diarrhoea investigation during tbo past season, wo have used a large number of eggs from the flock of 8. 0. White Leghorns, owned by Mr. A. M. Pollard. Wo were unable to discover, either by bacterio logical examination or practical test, any evldeneo of baclllary white diar rhoea infection. LEO P. BETTOEB, Bacteriologist, Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University. P. H. 8T0NEBUBN, Professor of Poultry Husbandry, Connecticut Agriculture College. All stock have free range on 89 acres We are booking orders now for 1019. ECKJ8 13.60 per IS SIB per 100. Looking It Over The Grandview Poultry Farm A. M. Pollard, Manager, Mansfield Centre, Conn. Member National 8. 0. White Leg horn Club. New York Masons raised 1,800 to redeem a gold Knights Templar In vitation to President MeKlnley. Tho invitation plate was found In tho stock of a pawnbroker, who refused to sell It for less than 1S00. Tho Invitation was sent to President Me Klnley from California. John Allen, a farmer living near Enid, Oklahoma, is 13,800 hotter off through a kiek by a mule, ills skull was fractured and ho was taken to a hospital, where ho submitted to an operation. After the surgeon was done with biui, Allen remembered whero ho bad bidden tho 13,800. Dur ing tbo panlo of 1007 Allen becaino timid about leaving bis money In a bank in Enid and withdrew it. lie burled tho money. A few days after ward be was Injured in a runaway and lost all memory of his cache After his second Injury and tho re sulting operation, Allen went out and recovered bis fortuno. Oregon gamo laws and tho United States parcels post aro In conflict, it is said. Under tho government mall regulations birds, fish and animals, weighing less than 11 pounds, may be shipped through tho mall as easily as a dozen oggs. A game wardon may investigate all suspicious freight and express shipments, and, If ho finds contraband, he may arrest tho Bond ers, but the United States post Is closed to him. He may not investi gate and no postal clerk Is allowed to answer questions concerning otbor pooplo 's mall. Soda Crackers are ex tremely sensitive to moisture. Before the advent of Uneeda Biscuit the only persons who ever tasted fresh, crisp soda crackers were the people in the bakeries. Now that we have Uneeda Biscuitwe have perfectly baked soda crackers perfectly kept. No moisture can reach them no contaminating influences can effect their flavor- -their good ness is imprisoned only to be liberated by you, for you, when you open the package. Five cents. NATIONAL BISCUIT COMPANY The Call of the Bell It is music to Johnny's cars if lie starts tho day with a warm, nourishing breakfast of SHREDDED WHEAT and it's so easy to get him off to school without fuss or worry because it's ready-cooked and has in it ovorything ho needs for study or play. It's the wholo wheat, cooked, shredded and baked to a crisp, golden brown. Simply heat tho biscuits in tho oven a fow momonts to restore crispness, then pour hot milk over them, add ing a littlo cream, and salt or sweeten to suit the taste. A muscle-making, brain-building food for childron and grown-ups, for athletes and invalids, for outdoor men and indoor men, for workers with hand or brain. The Only Breakfast Cereal Made in Biscuit Form Mode only by . The Shredded Wheat Company NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y Make the Farm Pay More Money Bun your farm on a business basis and It will pay big Mr. K. J. Novak, First National Dank Bldg., Chicago, d,T,d.end, u , ., (ll A J? T.rn"l?fn arm ,n tho 8ou'. to mo on Augisi Let me help you to weed out unprofitable crops and 10 b, 1018, "Somo time ago I purchased one of your FaYm- venturesto so plan your work as to make your farm ot't Slmplox Itecords and consider that the best invest. more profitable, mont I havo over made. I don't soo bow anybody sin I have perfected an eaay-to-keep Record Dook which got along without it." anybody can Wm,at,youraprofltagoe0o live atock and individual mAY0nftW"r' i?lmp,e.x.?eS2r,1',youJnj: wiUo t0 crops .the coat of labor and mlscolloneoua expenses- "?'.. .mS" ,,,,rtouth"KM of Your which coat ia too great for what It prpduees-Ueresgo d?I,J.7hle0B,OI,i3rou A,ml ' yields-monthly snT yearly gain or loss-bow much ySu .&,") fc0" t,b.e, b,0D,cflt o'yrs devoted to the owe nd others owo you, etc., etc. "'!!" of tbo,Il,ra("' business difficulties. This Record is tho Best, Easiest and Simplest ever de- T Vn tme t0"? You obligate yourself In no way, and vised for the Grain, Truck and Fruit Farmer, Stock J w,u Blvo rou Information that will be of much value Breeder, Dairy and Poultry Man. It coats but little and t0 J""1' will be worth hundreds of dollars to you each season. A. O. REICH, Dept. I, a, stlrerdale, Chicago 8L i i r