CHAPTER XXXIII.
ABOUT FARMING, AND OTHER BUSINESS.
The soils of Oregon and Washington have been already frequently mentioned as being a rich, sandy loam in the central valleys; a still richer alluvial, loamy soil in the small valleys of the mountain and coast regions, and a greater proportion of clay on the hills; while the soil of the great rolling prairies is fine and mellow, with considerable alkali in it. We have no intention of expatiating further upon their respective merits; but have thrown together clippings from the papers published in various parts of the country, from which the reader may be able to form an estimate for himself of their productiveness in general:
"Mr. Jake Greazier, of North Yamhill, sowed twenty-one acres of land in wheat, the yield of which was nine hundred and sixty bushels; an average of forty-five and two-thirds bushels to the acre. The yield of his oats was sixty bushels to the acre. We do not claim for all of Oregon as large an average yield as the above; but we do claim this, that when the land is properly farmed the yield will be near the amount above named. To be properly farmed, all wheat should be sown in the fall. In California they are adopting nearly altogether summer fallowing, and find that they are more than repaid in so doing."—Portland Oregonian.
"We 'call' you, Mr. Oregonian. In this county, Mr. Christian Mayer has harvested fifty acres of wheat, which yields sixty-four bushels to the acre; Stephen Brinkerhoff, thirty acres, averaging sixty bushels, and Orley Hull, eighty acres, with an average of forty-six bushels. We, of course, can not vouch for these statements, as we did not see the grain measured, but we take the word of the gentlemen and their neighbors. They are all well-known farmers here, and any one who thinks the figures too large can find out by asking for themselves. We do not wish to boast, but we claim the 'belt' for "Walla Walla as a wheat-growing country."
"Douglas County.—The Plaindealer says that S. C. Moore, who resides on the South Umpqua, five miles south of Roseburg, this year cut a field of wheat, containing eighteen acres, which yielded forty-five bushels to the acre. The land and grain were both accurately measured. The waste caused by some of the wheat being down, was estimated at five bushels to the acre. The Plaindealer thinks this a good crop, taking into consideration the fact that the season has not been a very favorable one."
"Still Better.—Mr. Bleachleg, who lives about ten miles below Eugene City, says the Journal, has harvested this season an average of over fifty bushels of wheat to the acre, and from four acres a yield of over sixty bushels to the acre."
"The Albany Register states that a field of one hundred and fifty acres in Linn County yielded 8,250 bushels of the finest quality of wheat, the average being fifty-five bushels per acre."
"A field of wheat of sixty acres, belonging to Mr. Blackley, of Lane County, averages fifty bushels to the acre. Four acres yielded sixty bushels to the acre."
"The eastern country is boasting of mammoth squashes. The Baker City Democrat speaks of one weighing seventy-three pounds. The Winnemucca Register has seen one weighing seventy-five pounds. And now comes the Owyhee Avalanche, 'raising' its contemporaries by declaring that one is on exhibition in its town which weighs one hundred and six pounds. As the Avalanche had the last say it would have been its own fault if it had not told the story of the largest pumpkin."
"Oregon Cherries.—From the San Francisco Alta, of July 30th, we copy this:
"'A branch from a cherry-tree was shown to us yesterday which was certainly a little ahead of the average. It measured five feet in length, weighed seven pounds, and had three hundred and fifty-four cherries upon it. The variety is known as the 'Royal Anne.' It was from Seth Luelling's nursery on the Wallamet, near Portland, Oregon. It will remain for a short time on exhibition at Steele's drug store, Montgomery Street.'
"The branch of cherries from Mr. Luelling's nursery, now on exhibition at Ferry, Russell & Woodward's, corner of Front and Alder streets, is only twenty-two inches long, and weighs over five pounds. There are too many cherries on it to count, but a thousand would be a safe guess, we think, and they are all huge 'Royal Annes.' If that branch astonishes the San Franciscans, they ought to see the one we speak of."—Portland Bulletin.
"I have seen large fields of wheat average fifty-six bushels to the acre, and weigh sixty-two pounds to the bushel; and have seen fields which yielded forty to fifty bushels per acre, from a 'volunteer' crop; that is, produced the second year from grain shattered out during harvest, sprouting during the fall, and growing without even harrowing. We generally raise the variety known as 'Club,' and sow it in the fall or spring. Wo produce about forty bushels of corn to the acre, of the large Yellow Dent variety, and it ripens nicely by the first of September. The potato is perfectly at home hero, growing large, fine, and mealy. I let a neighbor have nine pounds of the early Goodrich variety, last spring, from which he raised 1,575 pounds. Sweet potatoes yield finely, but they are not so sweet as farther south. Turnips, beets, cabbages, tomatoes, peas, beans, onions, are all raised with ease and in great abundance. Although the country has been settled but a few years, there are already a number of fine-bearing orchards. I commenced here six years ago last spring, on ground that had never been fenced or plowed. After thoroughly plowing up about five acres of ground, I planted it in orchard with small yearling trees. This year I had one thousand bushels of the finest peaches that I ever saw grown—fully equal to the best Delaware and New Jersey peaches—besides large quantities of apples, pears, plums, cherries, apricots, grapes, and every variety of small fruits. Fruits of all kinds are perfect in every respect in this climate, particularly plums, the curculio having never been seen, I have one hundred bearing plum-trees. One Imperial Gage, two years ago, produced four hundred pounds of delicious, rich fruit, which brought eight cents per pound in gold; last year it had about the same amount of fruit, which sold for twelve and a half cents per pound, gold; many other trees did nearly as well. There are a large number of orchards just coming into bearing in this country, which will, of course, bring down the price of fruit."—Philip Ritz, of Walla Walla.
"The Department of Agriculture, in the report of 1870, puts the average wheat yield of Oregon at twenty bushels per acre, which was, according to that report, one bushel higher than the yield of any other State. Minnesota came next, with a yield of nineteen bushels. The fact is, that good tillage in the Wallamet Valley will obtain an average yield of thirty bushels to the acre, one year with another. The records of our agricultural societies show that premiums have often been given on wheat fields yielding forty, fifty, and even sixty, bushels per acre; and that from sixty-three to sixty-seven pounds per bushel is not uncommon. In Marion County the average in an entire neighborhood, one year, embracing a dozen or fifteen farms, was ascertained to be as high as thirty-four and a fourth bushels per acre. The wheat of the Wallamet Valley is of a superior quality. It contains more gluten than wheat raised anywhere on the Pacific Coast; and on that account, the flour made from it commands in San Francisco, where its quality has become known, a higher price than any other, among bakers and large hotel-keepers, for it is more profitable; it makes a greater weight of bread to a given quantity of flour.
"Oats is the principal crop raised for feed in the Wallamet Valley. It is always a sure crop, yielding from fifty to one hundred bushels per acre. It weighs usually from thirty-six to forty-three pounds per bushel, and commands from ten to fifteen cents per hundred pounds more in the San Francisco market than California oats. Corn and barley are cultivated in the Wallamet Valley to some extent, and good crops of both have been raised, yet they are not well adapted to the climate. In some particularly warm localities corn is raised every year for fattening hogs. The bulk of the pork, however, is fattened on wheat. It is a cheaper feed, and, with experience in curing, has been found to make equally good meat. Rye and buckwheat are good crops; the former yielding from twenty to thirty bushels per acre, and the latter from forty to fifty bushels. These crops do best on the hilly lands of the valley. They are always sure. The rye and buckwheat flour of the Wallamet Valley is superior to that of any other part of the Pacific Coast.
"Timothy, clover, blue-grass, and several other varieties of grass, are cultivated throughout the valley for hay and feed. Timothy is the principal dependence for a hay crop. On the rich bottoms and swales it yields from two to four tons per acre, and is always a sure crop. The native grasses of the valley furnish excellent pasturage, summer and winter, for stock of all kinds. They are not equal to the grasses of Eastern Oregon for making beef, but they can not be excelled for daily purposes, especially on the bottom-lands of the Wallamet and Columbia, in the northern part of the valley. These overflow in June, every year, from the melting snows in the mountains, that swell the Columbia beyond its banks. After the overflow subsides the grass comes forward quickly, furnishes a crop of hay, and then pasturage the ensuing fall and winter. No grass in the world, wild or tame, is better adapted to making butter and cheese. The time was, only a few years ago, when Oregon did not make good butter enough for home consumption. Even now a vast amount of butter is made here and shipped out of the State, that is a disgrace to the name. It is because very many people do not know how to make a good article, and they are too careless and indifferent to learn, or to appreciate a good article of butter when they see it. Within the past few years a few men have taken hold of the butter business near Portland, and are making a splendid article of butter, demonstrating! that the wild grass of this section has no superior for that purpose.
"The fruits best adapted to the soil and climate of the Wallamet, are, apples, pears, plums, cherries, quinces, currants, and all the different kinds of small fruits, strawberries, blackberries, etc. Among these the apple is the staple. Like wheat, it is a sure thing anywhere in the valley, where the land is not positively swampy. There is generally a fair market for apples in San Francisco, as those of California production are of inferior quality; and, as the apple is a fruit that bears transportation, it will continue to be cultivated for export to a considerable extent. The hilly portions of the valley seem to be better adapted to fruit-growing than any other. The extensive tracts of timbered lands in the northern part of the valley are especially good for that purpose. These are convenient to the Portland market, and, also, to shipping facilities; hence it is probable that the fruit business in future will receive more attention here than elsewhere in the valley.
"The peach and kindred fruits do not succeed well, unless, it may be, in sheltered localities in the upper part of the valley. The climate is not adapted to their growth. Like corn, such fruits require hot weather and hot nights to bring them to maturity, instead of which we have in the Wallamet Valley the cool sea-air and cool nights all summer. There is too much moisture in the atmosphere; in short, the peach is away from its natural home on the soil of the Wallamet Valley. About as much might be said of the grape, although some varieties seem to do tolerably well. The vine is healthy, but the berry is subject to mildew. It will not mature every year. It has not the flavor that belongs to the grape in its native home. Some persons, however, have had good success with grapes. Very much, no doubt, depends on the locality. Cherries and plums are produced in great profusion and variety, particularly in the northern part of the valley, where the Portland market affords ready sale for them. In and around Portland, in the gardens and small farms, the culture of strawberries, blackberries, currants, and that class of fruits has become quite a business—one, too, that is increasing every year. The climate is adapted to their growth. They mature well, and yield very heavily. They are remarkably fine-flavored, very large, and otherwise of good quality.
"The nurseries all over the valley, as well as elsewhere in Oregon, are well stocked with every variety of fruit. Great pains are taken by those in that business to keep up with the demand for their products, to introduce new varieties, and improve the fruit of the country. Fruit-trees come into bearing much earlier than anywhere in the States of the Atlantic coast. Usually the third year from transplanting the tree begins to bear; at about six years old it is in full bearing,
"The Wallamet Valley may be relied on by the farmer as a safe place in which to pursue his vocation. Its products are the leading necessaries of life. The land is good; the climate mild and healthful; markets good, of easy access, and always reliable. The question has been frequently asked 'if the soil of the Wallamet does not wear out?' It has never yet worn out, and some of it, too, has been in cultivation continuously for twenty or twenty-five years. The crop is apparently as good now as that of fifteen or eighteen years ago. The annual wheat yield is, approximately, about throe million bushels; of all other grains, about 1,500,000 bushels. A very large amount of live stock, dairy products, wool, and bacon are marketed annually, the cash value of which can only be approximately estimated, say about $2,000,000."—Democratic Era.
"In our last issue, we placed the stock of flour on hand July 1st, 1871, at 78,500 bbls., chiefly Oregon brands. We have since seen a statement that the flour stock in Portland, Oregon, at same date, was 15,000 bbls. During the past harvest year we received from Oregon 179,536 bbls.; from the interior of this State, 123,513 bbls.—the former 53,000 bbls. more than the year previous, and the latter 61,000 bbls. less. Now, then, how much flour was manufactured in this city the past twelve months? Probably not less than 200,000 bbls., or considerably less than for the previous harvest year. Our millers do not like to see the Oregonians successfully competing for their legitimate trade, and measures to check the same are being taken, which will doubtless effect a serious change in this regard; improved patent machinery being brought into play, thereby greatly reducing the cost of manufacturing. Oregon has already opened a direct export wheat trade with the United Kingdom, and more or less flour has also been exported to foreign marts, and it is to be presumed that some increase in this direct trade abroad will naturally result. Vessels bringing cargoes of railroad iron, salt, etc., to Oregon, will naturally cany off cargoes of both flour and wheat in exchange, though it is believed that upon the completion of the Northern Railroad to Oregon, much of the produce of that State will be diverted inland, while more or less will seek this market by rail. Heretofore the Oregon farmers have been so isolated from available markets that the millers of that State have had large advantages during the long winter months, buying up wheat at very low rates, grinding it at their leisure, and shipping it to the most available markets, and at such a low cost as to defy all competition. Changes of some moment in this regard are imminent, and that at no distant period."—San Francisco Commercial Herald.
"Where the Shoe Pinches.—A San Francisco exchange is responsible for the following, which is so eminently characteristic of California ideas that we publish it: ' Our city millers will certainly be glad to have Oregonians ship their flour direct to foreign marts, rather than send it here, to glut our market and keep up a sharp competition for the trade of this port. Our millers and shippers would much prefer to receive the Oregon wheat than the flour, for in the former case it can be utilized to a good purpose by mixing with the California product.'"—Oregonian.
"Sheep Breeding.—The high prices obtained for wool by our growers will doubtless lend an additional impetus to the raising of sheep for wool. The range in the Wallamet Valley and also in Southern Oregon is gradually closing up, forcing wool-growers to take their flocks to Eastern Oregon and Washington Territory, thus bringing the sheep into a drier climate, which will eventually, when shown to be more profitable, cause the breeding to a considerable extent of a finer breed of sheep. Our wool-growers have not bred up to the standard attained by California woolgrowers; and, though our wool brings high prices, owing to its being of a year's growth and answering for combing-wool, still, we think, after being forced to go east of the Cascades they will find it profitable to give more attention to breeding for fine wool. In a climate such as is found east of the Cascades, experience has shown that fine-wool merino sheep do better than any other kind. Our factories have had difficulty in obtaining fine wool enough in Oregon for their use, and consequently have been forced to obtain supplies from San Francisco. The demand for a few years past for long wool induced many wool-growers in the older States and also in California to breed for long wool, but that demand is likely to be met by wool-growers East, who are given the preference owing to the wool being of a finer texture; but for fine wool there always exists a demand at round figures, and, let the supply be ever so large, still it will find a ready market."—Democratic Era.
"State Agricultural Society.—The exhibition served to show that, whatever may be the capacity of the State, the dairy interest is not fully developed. The cattle-yards exhibit the same facts. There were a few very nice cattle—Durhams and Devons, and grades from these, but not one animal had been bred for the milking quality. In fact, I am led to believe that such are not in the State.
"The Oregon farmer prides himself on his horses, and certainly many not without good cause. The improvement of the stock is made the excuse for the race-track for the 'trial of speed,' as it is termed. It is certainly a misnomer to call these races a trial of speed. They would more properly be known as a trial of skill in horse-jockeying, of attempts to deceive the bystanders—in a word, a perfect gambling-shop. While telling the truth in this matter, let me exonerate at least a large majority of the gentlemen managers of the society and fair. Their aim has been, and is, higher than merely to draw a crowd and give them an opportunity of betting. In the matter of this race-track they have an elephant on their hands, that is yearly degenerating the character of the fair, which in part will account for the meagre display in many departments, and which will eventually cause many of the more thoughtful people to withdraw their support altogether.
"The sheep husbandry was well represented by five or six different breeds, making a display well worth seeing. An enterprising California breeder introduced some Cotswold sheep, the first, I believe it is said, in the State; also some Cashmere goats that attracted universal attention. The South Down seemed, however, to be the favorite of many. In this department, there seemed to be great interest manifested, showing that the recent high prices of wool will again attract the attention of the farmer."—Oregonian.
"The census reports show the following agricultural products for Oregon for the year 1869:
| | Bushels. | ————$1,500,000Value. | ||
|
1,750,000 | $1,500,000 | ||
|
5,200 | 5,200 | ||
|
500,000 | 270,000 | ||
|
200,000 | 200,000 | ||
|
200,000 | 200,000 | ||
|
500,000 | 300,000 | ||
|
75,000 | 637,500 |
From these various quotations from home papers all may be gathered that is necessary to show the rapidly growing agricultural interests of Oregon; as well as to betray what branches of farming are neglected, to the injury of the State. When the Oregonian asserts that no cows are bred for their milking qualities, it confesses a great error on the part of Oregon farmers, and points out to the ambitious immigrant a new source of profit. With butter seventy-five cents a pound in San Francisco, and from twenty-five to forty-five cents in Portland, there is money in the dairy business.
Fowls, which generally do not do well in California, are healthy and prolific in Oregon. Eggs always command a high price in San Francisco, and are by no means so cheap as they should be in Portland, simply because farmers neglect to raise hens.
The cultivation of flax is an industry only, of late resorted to in Oregon, though the culture of this plant is highly profitable; and it is, besides, indigenous to the soil in many parts of this State and Washington Territory. We notice, however, the receipt of twenty thousand bushels of flax-seed at the oil-mills in Albany, this year, and the Pioneer Oil-mill of Salem must have received as much more.
Owing to the drought in California, wheat has sold in Oregon at from $1.00 to $1.45 per bushel the present year (1871); oats, at eighty cents per bushel; and hay, twenty dollars per ton. Wool brings from thirty-five to thirty-six cents per pound. The spring clip amounted to over two million pounds.
The Oregon City Woolen Mills, this year, shipped to Boston fifty thousand pounds of their surplus wool, and expected to ship one hundred thousand pounds more.
The San Francisco Bulletin, in a review of things seen at the Mechanics' Institute Fair in that city, gives a very favorable notice of Oregon City woolen goods, and adds: "The production of this company consists chiefly of tweeds, flannels, cassimeres, blankets, and yarn. They manufacture mainly for the Oregon market, which gives little demand for the finer styles of woolen goods. In cassimeres, they claim superiority to any institution on the coast. Their stock of cassimeres is large, and of varied assortment. Many of the best pieces of goods seen in the windows of our aristocratic tailor-shops, are from this factory. Of tweeds, for men's and boys' wear, their supply is good. They make all varieties of blankets, from the coarse gray to the finest lambs' wool, at forty dollars per pair. Their flannels are substantial, and of various grades of fineness. They exhibit forty-five pieces of cassimere, which those who love to examine good fabrics will be pleased to look at."
Farm hands can not be hired for less than $25 to $30 per month and board. Chinamen are sometimes employed in harvesting, as also are the Indians from the reservations, but not to any great extent.
Saddle horses may be bought for from $80 to $100; farm horses, from $100 to $125; draught horses, from $150 to $200; mules, $250 to $350 a pair; yoke cattle, $100 per pair; milch cows, $40 to $50 for good stock; sheep, $1.50 to $2.50; mutton sheep, $2.50 to $3.50; beef-cattle, per pound, six and a half to seven cents; fat hogs, seven cents.
The price of farming land varies from five to fifty dollars per acre. Farms may be rented on very good terms. We know of one gentleman who purchased an .improved farm near McMinnville, in Yamhill County, last spring, at fifteen dollars per acre, there being between three and four hundred acres in the place. He agreed to take eight hundred bushels of wheat for the rent of it; and the farmer who hired it not only paid his rent, which, at the present high price of wheat, amounted to considerably more than eight hundred dollars, but had wheat enough left to make the first payment on a farm for himself, besides supplying his family for the year. It is impossible for any but a poor farmer to be poor in pocket in a country like this.
To the above general account of Oregon farming, we add a few items about trade and revenue.
By the politeness of the Custom House officials in Astoria we are placed in receipt of the following statistics of the imports, exports, and clearances at that port from January 1st, 1871, to August 25th, 1871: Total value of exports to foreign countries, $36,167. Included are—to Peru, lumber, 391 M, $4,100; spars, etc., $388. To China, lumber, 388 M, $3,496; spars, etc., $469. To Hawaiian Islands, lumber, 229 M, $2,189; spars, etc., $438. The Knappton Mills ship full cargoes of lumber to San Francisco every month, but they do not report at the Custom-house, and we have no account of them. Total value of imports from foreign countries, $143,425. Number of vessels in foreign trade, cleared, 23; tons, 11,451. Number of vessels cleared in coast trade, 267; tons, 122,914.
The monthly report of the Chief of the Bureau of Statistics, No. 11, shows the following imports and exports for Oregon during the eleven months ending May 31, 1871:
| | Imports. | Domestic Exports. | Foreign Exports. | ||
|
$4,708,90979 | $3,962,85921 | $129,10470 | ||
|
192,79880 | 750,62311 | 122,92571 |
Eleven months ending May 31, 1870:
| | Imports. | Domestic Exports. | Foreign Exports. | ||
|
$3,965,86362 | $3,476,81326 | $148,06048 | ||
|
254,71305 | 382,00799 | 129,90684 |
The valuation of domestic exports is given in specie.
The amount of revenue assessed during the six months ending June 30, 1871, is $57,510; of this amount, $27,765 was derived from incomes for the year. The monthly average of bank capital employed is $935,065. The monthly average of deposits in banks is $1,654,498. The total valuation of property in the Portland District, upon which taxes for school purposes will be raised, is $6,035,525. The total school tax on this is $21,124.3334.
All business in Oregon and Washington is transacted on a gold basis. When legal tenders are used, they pass at their value in gold, as determined each day by the market quotations. A statute of the Oregon Legislature provides for the enforcement of contracts to pay in gold coin. The Tegal rate of interest is ten per cent, per annum; or, by express agreement, it may be made one per cent, per month, but not more.
Beyond the manufacture of lumber, flour, woolen goods, staves, linseed-oil, wagons, soap, common pottery, cabinet furniture, agricultural implements, stoves, steam-engines, and other iron works, there is nothing produced in the way of manufactures worthy of mention. The country waits for capital to bring out its almost unlimited resources in this direction, and for cheap labor to make it available.
Most kinds of mechanical labor find employment at from three to five dollars per day. Brick-layers and stone-masons get six dollars; machinists, four dollars; common laborers, one dollar and three-fourths; domestic servants, twelve to twenty-five dollars per month. All kinds of food are cheaper in Oregon and Washington than in the Atlantic States, and of a better quality. There is less adulteration in imported articles; while fruits and vegetables are both plentiful and excellent, and may be enjoyed fresh almost the whole year round.