UNIVERSITY OF B.C LIBRAR.

' 3 9424 00408 1847

THE OREGON FARMER

WHAT HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN EVERY
PART OF THE STATE

A PcellminaQr Agricultural Survey Under the

Direction of an Advisoty Committee

From the Faculty of

Oregon Agricultural College

CORVALLIS

Cond"-ted by

Oregon Statistical Bureau

J. A. BEX'^.LL. Director
E. B. Lemon, Assistant Statistician

19 13

Published by

Oregon State Immigration Commission

C. C. CHAPMAN

State Immigration Agent

PORTLAND. OREGON

WILLIS S. DUNIWAY, State Print«r

STORAGE ITEM
PROCESS I NG-GNE

Lpl-C14G
U.B.C. LIBRARY

M

(pAoi ^OK^ i^y/he^^t'c^

M

The climate of the State of Oregon is widely varied as between the six
geographical subdivisions, governed by the physical conditions as shown in
the accompanying topographic map, and embraces all of the desirable ele-
ments necessary for successful agricultural dev(>lopinc'iit. from the humid
region along the Pacific Coast to tlu' high and semi-arid plateau region of
Central Oregon. The mountainous regions are covereil with a dense growth
of merchantable timber and perform the highly important double function
of serving as immense water sheds and Nature's storehouse for millions of
tons of Winter snows to supply the needed moisture for the broad and fertile
valleys during the Summer months.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2010 with funding from

University of British Columbia Library

http://www.archive.org/details/oregonfarmerwhatOOoreg

THE OREGON FARMER

WHAT HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN EVERY
PART OF THE STATE

A Prelimiaary Agricultural Survey Under the

Direction of an Advisory Committee

From the Faculty of

Oregon Agricu!t|ural College ^T ■ —

corvalUs ''~^^ l^oRARY

The Unwtffvrty «} fmu^ Columbia

Conducted b

Acc No. ...^y^.;?i5.a_

y

Oregon Statistical pureay * " -

J. A. BEXELL. Director '
£. B. Lemon, Assistant Statistician

:±ib:--:-

19 13

Published by

Oregon State Immigration Commission

c. c. chapman

State Immigration Agent
PORTLAND. OREGON

WILLIS S. DUNIWAY. State Printer

CONTENTS.

Page.

Study this Book C. C. Chapman 3

Introduction A. B. Cordley 6

Agricultural Opportunities James Witliycombe 13

The Live Stock Industry E. L. Potter 16

The Dairy Industry F. L. Kent 26

Soils and Farm Crops H. D. Scudder 33

The Climate of Oregon W. L. Powers 66

Fruits and Vegetables C.I. Lewis 71

The Poultry Industry James Dryden 86

Bee Culture H. F. Wilson 96

Farm Finance J. A. Bexell 99

Country Life in Oregon Hector Macpherson 109

The Oregon Rural Home ... Henrietta Calvin 121

Typical Successful Farms . . .E. B. Lemon 126

MAPS, CHARTS AND DIAGRAMS.

MAPS.

Page.

Sectional of the State 7

Topographic of the State Insert Front Cover

Precipitation Map 64

Distribution of Beef Cattle 15

Distribution of Swine 17

Distribution of Horses 19

Distribution of Sheep 22

Value of Poultry Products 84

Distribution of Bees 96

Distribution of Rural Population 114

Railroads of the State 108

Educational Institutions 118

DIAGRAMS.

Temperature and Precipitation 69

Showing Percentages of Investment 98

Financing the Farm 100-106

Land Area of State (a comparison) 114

OREGON FARMER 3

STUDY THIS BOOK A LITTLE AT A TIME.

yjX LOWING reports telling of the wondrous success
^^ achieved by some one specialist in a new country,
are of little value to the homeseeker of modest means.

What you and I and nearly all of us want to know —
the questions we want answered — are:

What has the average, serious, earnest, hard-working
man accomplished? What kind of a home has he built
for his family? How much money has he saved? What
are his living conditions? What is his average income,
year in and year out? What his expenses?

These are the common sense inquiries all of us make
about the farmer in a new country. The traveler or
tourist who is visiting Oregon, can get these answers
for himself by stopping at each farm house and asking
the questions. The homeseeker, however, often cannot
afford to spend a lot of time and money making a per-
sonal investigation. The State of Oregon feels a respon-
sibility to the bona-fide homeseeker. The responsibility
of placing the facts before him just as clearly and plainly
as they can be presented on paper in an official report.

This book has the facts in it, — the averages as to what
the average industrious man has accomplished here in
the State of Oregon.

A corps of trained workers, investigators, was sent out
by the State, into every County to interview farmers
in every district. A list of questions was asked; these
questions including nearly everything that a homeseeker
would ask or would like to know as to what the average
farmer had actually done since establishing himself in
the State of Oregon. These answers were all tabulated
and classified by expert statisticians, and have been
analyzed by the practical men at the heads of the differ-
ent bureaus or departments of our State Agricultural
College. Every investigator and every department chief

4 OREGON FARMER

who had any part in the production of this book felt a
deep sense of responsibihty. Many of these men have
devoted the better part of their hves to the service of
the State of Oregon in its Agricultural College. Pains-
taking attention to detail and high devotion to the pur-
pose to be served by this report, have characterized their
work.

The facts are here and speak for themselves. While
they indicate an amazing record of success and wide-
spread prosperity on the part of the farmer — while they
show that the Oregon farmer on an average is about as
independent and well-fixed as the average of any class
of people anywhere in the world — it is not the purpose
of this book to invite anyone to come to Oregon or to
argue as to the comparative merits of this and any other
State. We simply feel that the homeseeker is entitled
to the facts, and here they are.

Do not trj^ to read this book continuously from begin-
ning to end. Consult the sections in which you are most
interested and analyze the statistics for yourself, a little
at a time. Study the tables and read the explanations.
It is hard to assimilate a vast accumulation of facts at
a glance, or at one reading. This book will richly repay
the most careful attention and study from the home-
seeker w^ho looks towards Oregon as a possible land of
opportunity.

€eejc^

p ^\ a.^^

Oregon State Immigration Agent.

OREGON FARMER

INTRODUCTION

OBJECT AND SCOPE OF THE SURVEY

By a. B. Cordley
Dean of School of Agriculture

/^^HE agricultural survey, of which this bulletin is a summary,
V£l/ was undertaken primarily for the purpose, not of adding to a
knowledge of rural economics or sociology, but to obtain defi-
nite information of agricultural conditions in Oregon for the benefit
of prospective settlers.

Oregon, with an area greater than that of Illinois and Indiana
or of New York and Pennsylvania and with a population scarcely
equal to that of Boston or St. Louis, has less than one-fifth of its
tillable land under cultivation. Development of the latent wealth
of the remainder, with its resultant effect upon the entire State,
thus waits on immigration. Knowledge of the opportunities thus
afforded, together with definite and accurate information of
what Oregon farmers are now doing on these lands, should serve
to attract the attention both of investors and settlers. The object
of the survey was to obtain such information; the purpose of this
bulletin is to present the information thus obtained in a plain state-
ment of facts without the glittering generalities of the average
advertising pamphlet.

Provision for this work was made by the Twenty-Sixth Legislative
Assembly by an appropriation of $5,000 for statistical research by
the Bureau of Statistics in connection with the publicity work of
the State Immigration Commission.

The Bureau of Statistics was organized by the appointment of
Dean Bexell of the School of Commerce as Director, E. B. Lemon
as Assistant Statistician, Neil B. Baldwin as Office Assistant, and
the following advisory committee:

J. A. Bexell, Dean School of Commerce (Ex-OfBcio).

James Withycombe, Director of the Oregon Experiment Station.

A. B. Cordley, Dean of Agriculture.

G. A. Covell, Dean of Engineering.

Henrietta W. Calvin, Dean of Domestic Science and Art.

C. I. Lewis, Professor of Horticulture.

H. D. Scudder, Professor of Agronomy.

F. L. Kent, Professor of Dairy Husbandry.
E. L. Potter, Professor of Animal Husbandry.
James Dryden, Professor of Poultry Husbandry.
H. M. Parks, Professor of Mining Engineering.

G. W. Peavy, Professor of Forestry.

Hector Macpherson, Assistant Professor of Political Economy.

This committee met with the State Immigration Agent, C. C-
Chapman, May 18, 1912, and perfected tentative plans for the work'
and again on October 28, 1912, when it was decided to co-operate

6 OREGON FARMER

with the State Immigration Commission and the State Immigration
Agent in publishing this digest of the survey in an edition of 25,000
copies. Professors Cordley, Lewis and Bexell were appointed as
an editing committee. The total cost of the survey, including the
tabulation of the report and the preparation of the copy for this
bulletin, but not including the cost of publication, was S3, 900. 11.
(See Annual Report of Oregon State Immigration Commission,
1912.) That so much has been accomplished at such slight expense
is due in no little degree to the various railroad companies of the
State who generously furnished transportation over their respective
lines for all men engaged in this work.

The scope of the work is well indicated by the following letter
which was sent out to a large number of citizens in various parts
of the State:
"Dear Sir:

"The Oregon Statistical Bureau, in co-operation with the Agricultural
College, is making a preliminary agricultural survey of a number of leading
farms in every county in the State. The object of this survey is primarily
to determine the opportunities in each locality for new settlers and, if possible,
to find some of the difficulties in agricultural development.

"A number of farms in your locality will be visited during the summer

by Mr. . Such questions as the following will be asked: The value

of land, machinery, stock on hand June 1; the acreage and yield of each crop
in 1911; the amount of these crops sold and the receipts; the amount of other
farm products, such as milk, butter, eggs, fruit, etc., sold during the year,
and the receipts; the expenses for labor, seed, feed, fertilizer, machinery,
threshing, etc.; the methods of cultivation used and your observation of the
results.

"As your answer will be used for the benefit of j'our commimity and of
the entire State, accuracy of statement is of the utmost importance. All of
the information received from you and your neighbors will be compiled in
making up a final report on the general conditions in your community. Your
statement will be considered strictly confidential. The reports of individuals
will not be published without their consent.

"We hope that the farmers will assist our representatives in securing the
information desired and that in turn the College and the Immigration Com-
mission may aid the farmers by giving advice to all those who wish it."

During the preliminary discussions regarding the scope of the
survey it soon became evident that a number of separate question-
naires would be necessary in order to accumulate the desired infor-
mation relative to the various types of farming. The preparation
of these was assigned to the various members of the advisory com-
mittee, under the general supervision of the Director, who edited
and published them in pamphlet form for the use of the field agents.
The field work began June 17, 1912, and was prosecuted vigorously
until October. Upon receipt of the earlier reports, the work of
tabulation was begun in order to detect and correct any jiossible
errors that might be made by any of the agents at the earliest possible
moment. All data as it came in was tabulated first by counties
and then by districts. When all the reports had been received and
tabulated the information thus accumulated was referred to the

OREGON FARMER

Geographically the state is divided into two sections, commonly known as Eastern
and Western Oregon. Climatologically it is sub-divided into five sections indicated
by the heavy boundary lines on the map, outlining each sub-division) in which a wide
variety of climatic conditions prevail to meet the requirements of every branch of agri-
cultural pursuit and the demands of the individual resident from the standpoint of
healtcr and comfort.

OO

a uo

y XX

OCT I

HM

b5l^^

,•0

8 OREGON FARMER

various members of the advisory committee to be used in the prepara-
tion of their respective reports. Thus all data relative to the Uve
stock industry was referred to Professor Potter; that which related
to horticulture, to Professor Lewis, etc., and upon this data their
respective papers were based. They are as follows:

Agricultural Opportunities James Withycombe

The Live Stock Industry E. L. Potter

The Dairy Industry F. L. Kent

Soils and Farm Crops H. D. Scudder

The Climate of Oregon W. L. Powers

Fruits and Vegetables C. I. Lewis

The Poultry Industry James Dryden

Bee Culture H. F. Wilson

Farm Finance J. A. Bexell

Country Life in Oregon Hector Macpherson

The Oregon Rural Home Henrietta Calvin

Typical Successful Farms E. B. Lemon

For comparative purposes and for convenience in tabulating the
data relative to the various t^-pes of farming, the information was
grouped first by counties and then by districts. The State divides
itself naturally into two great divisions as regards topography,
soil, climate and state of development, namely: Western Oregon
and Eastern Oregon.

WESTERN OREGON.

Coast Division — Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincohi, Coos, Curry, part
of Lane, and part of of Douglas counties.

Southern Oregon Division (Rogue and Umpqua Valleys) — Douglas,
Jackson and Josephine counties.

Willamette Valley Division — Linn, Lane, Benton, Polk, Marion,
Clackamas, Yamhill, Washington, Alultnomah and Columbia
counties.

EASTERN OREGON.

Columbia Basin Division — Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Morrow and Umatilla counties.

Blue Mountain Division — Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, and
Wallowa counties.

Central Oregon Divi,sion — That vast empire embraced in Crook,
Klamath, Lake, Harney, and Malheur counties.

For purposes of more just and accurate comparisons the reports
from the various districts were grouped according to size of farms
as indicated in the following table. This is evidently neccssar>' as
the results obtained by extensive methods on the larger farms are
not justly comparable with those obtained by the more intensive
methods which are usually practiced on the smaller ones.

OREGON FARMER

CLASSI7ICATI0N OF REPORTS.

Division

5-20
acres —
re porta.

21-80 81-160

acres — acres —
reports. reports.

161-320 I 321-over
acres — acres —
reports, i reports.

Total
reports.

Coast

Southern Oregon
Willamette Valley
Columbia Basin. .
Blue Mountain. . .
Central Oregon. . .

State

24
59
152
40
12
19

56
45
137
28
16
42

306

55
46
129
22
35
49

336

35
43
102
147
125

550

175
231
556
262
201
211

1.637

TABLE SHOWING PERCENTAGE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FARMS
EXAMINED IN THE AGRICULTURAL SURVEY.

Division

General
per cent.

Hay Grain Stock Dairy
per cent. \ per cent, per cent, per cent.

Fruit
per cent.

Truck
per c«nt.

Coast

12.0
46.0
29.0
17.0
18.0
46.0

12

20.2 66.0
5.3 19.0
9 .^ 11 n

0.6
16.0
25.0
24.6*
13.3

1.9

Willamette Valley

2.0 3.7
9 0 6 0

8.0
10.7
2.6

8.0 i 27.0 i 17.0 3.8
8.6 6.5 1 50.3 ' 3.3
3.8 14.0 { 28.0 4.4

Blue Mt. Region

1.9

State averages

25.3

8.3 9.4

20.1 i 17.5

13.7

5.8

•On account of the large number of fruit farms reported from Hood River County and Umatilla
County.

Throughout the survey every effort was made to insure accuracy
— the desire was to obtain facts and facts only. Every field agent
was provided with the follo^v^ng letter of instruction and later as
the work progressed each was repeatedly urged to exercise the
greatest care to insure that each interview was as complete and
accurate as it was possible to make it.
"Mr. ^ ■_

"The industrial survey which you are to assist in carrying out this summer
is of the utmost importance to Oregon and her citizens. The statistics which
you are to obtain, if they are painstakingly and honestly gathered, will aid
materially in solving many of the agricultural problems of the State and to
locate to the best advantage prospective settlers.

"Every one engaged in this work should aim to make every interview as
complete and thorough as possible so that when the final results are published
they will make the best showing for Oregon that the facts will justify. The
facts, no more, no less, are wanted.

"Do not slight any feature of the questionnaire, but endeavor to secure
each item. Negligence will materially lessen the value of the final results.
Make it clear to every individual called upon that giving information you ask
for has nothing whatever to do with assessment or taxation.

"It is impossible to lay down fixed rules for each solicitor since conditions
differ materially in every locality. The following suggestions, however, will
probably prove helpful:

"1. Interview the officers of the commercial club (or other organization —
in places having no commercial club secure the co-operation of the banker, post-
master or other leading citizens) in the locality you are about to solicit and
secure a list of representative and successful farmers to be interviewed. Bear
in mind that what is wanted is data from successful farmers, under average
coBditioDS.

10 OREGON FARMER

"The principal questions are: On what have they succeeded, and why?
From ten to twenty farmers will generally be sufficient in each locality. The
minimum number to be interviewed in a county is fifty, and those should be
scattered throughout the county. Do not make mistake of confining your
attention to a popular and easily accessible locality, to the exclusion of localities
less kno^m, since the primary object of the survey is to find the opportunities
open to settlers in every part of the county, and especially in those parts that
are least developed.

"2. Send a form letter to each of the farmers selected. Be sure to fill in
your name and date.

"3. Arrange your route so as to secure the greatest economy of time. The
best results will be obtained by arranging to stop at farm houses over night,
whenever practicable, since in this way you will save time and obtain consider-
able valuable information.

"4. Call on the newspapers of the town and introduce 3'ourself by pre-
senting a form letter and a questionnaire. Explain your mission and suggest
that a mention will be appreciated.

"5. All interviews should be made on the farm, and 3'our own impression
as well as the specific information should be carefully noted. Whenever
possible, secure the information from records and do not accept statements
intended purely for local advertising. The object of this survey is to secure
facts.

"6. It will often be found impracticable to fill out the entire list of ques-
tions in the presence of the farmer interviewed. All omissions, however,
should be filled in completely before the interview is mailed.

"7. Until further notice, mail interviews every day if you are within mail
connections. Remember that this requires first class postage. Keep this
office informed of your plans and movements at all times.

"8. Expense vouchers must be fullj^ itemized and a receipt taken for every
item of one dollar and above. Forward expense bills to this office not later
than the last day of each month.

"9. After completing the agricultural survey of a given locality, fill out
and send in your private localitj^ report. Whenever practicable it would be
instructive to attend Sunday services in the coimtry churches, and thus learn
by your own observation something of their influence in the country.

"10. Farmers will frequently ask for professional information of great
importance to themselves and their commimity. In most cases it is advisable
that you refer such matters to the proper department of the College, and that
you represent yourself only as a solicitor.

"11. Bear in mind particularly that while each field agent is sent into
localities devoted principally to his own specialty, he is to complete the survey
in each coimty before leaving it. That is, while interviews on the Hood River
district, for instance, will be devoted very largelj' to fruit, yet there will be
foimd very successful general farms, and these should be properh- represented
in the total number of interviews of the covmty, otherwise the survey will not
show properly the range of opportunities in each county.

"12. For comparative purposes it is important that both the large and the
small farms be about equally represented in the survey. Kindly bear this in
mind in selecting the farms to be interviewed."

The active field work was done by thirteen agents, all of whom
were senior or graduate students or members of the faculty of the
Oregon Agricultural College; and each of whom was assigned to
one or more counties, depending upon area and density of population.

OREGON FARMER 11

FIELD AGENTS

Mr. R. B. Thompson — Parts of Polk, Yamhill and Washington.

Mr. E. B. Stanley — Wheeler, Grant, Wallowa, and part of Umatilla.

Mr. E. R. Stockwell — Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook.

Dr. B. W. HoUis— Lincoln.

Mr. W. L. Powers — Part of Crook.

Mr. Walter E. ^Morris — Coos and Curry.

Mr. H. A. Morgenstcrn — Lake.

Mr. ]Morris Koon — Lane, Marion, and part of Linn.

Mr. Harry Hetzel— Union, Hood River, Multnomah, and parts of Wasco,
Washington and Yamhill.

Mr. 'SI. O. Evans, Jr. — Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Clackamas, and
parts of Polk, Linn and Benton.

Mr. E. W. Curtis — Harney, Klamath, and part of Crook.

Mr. Orren Beaty — Sherman, Morrow, and Gilliam.

Mr. E. B. Lemon — Parts of Benton and Wasco.

Acting under the above instructions these agents held the inter-
views for and filed a total of 1637 approved reports. The reports
which were tabulated were distributed among the various counties
as follows:

Baker 51, Benton 52, Clackamas 69, Clatsop 37, Columbia 45,
Coos 33, Crook 48, Curry 19, Douglas 82, Gilliam 40, Grant 31,
Harney 19. Hood River 27, Jackson 96, Josephine 53, Klamath 71,
Lake 59, Lane 91, Lincoln 38, Linn 48, Marion 67, Malheur 15,
Morrow 39, Multnomah 18, Polk 47, Sherman 41, Tillamook 49,
Umatilla 63, Union 46, Wallowa 31, Wasco 52, Washington 65,
Wheeler 42. Yamhill 54.

It will be seen that the survey is an honest effort to represent
the actual condition of country life in Oregon. Absolute accuracy
is not claimed for the large mass of figures exhibited in the various
tables. The reader is left largely to draw his own conclusions from
the m^aterial at hand. In most cases, the number of reports is
stated in connection -with the averages, which indicates what confi-
dence may be placed on the figures. That the averages are not far
from the truth appears from a comparison with certain data found
in the last census reports. For instance, Dean Bexell says in regard
to the value of live stock: "The State averages are S341, S878,
SI 887, 82255, and S8030, according to the several sizes of farms.
These amounts are 3.6 per cent, 4.7 per cent, 8.2 per cent, 8.1 per
cent, and 14.9 per cent of the respective total investments, as shown
in the table on page 102. When it is remembered that the large
farms greatly predominate in the survey these ratios are confirmed
by the last census, which places the value of Wxa stock at n.3 per
cent of the total value of farm property." A more striking confirm-
ation is found in the value of implements and machinery. The
rates found in the survey are 2.4 per cent, 2.4 per cent, 2.3 per cent,
2,4 per cent, and 2.1 per cent, according to the different sizes of
farms. The census finds the State average to be 2.5 per cent. In
a survey of Tompkins County, New York, it was found that 45 per
cent of the farmers based their reports on records, while in this
survey 48 per cent make a similar claim.

12 OREGON FARMER

While the primary purpose of this bulletin is to furnish to prospec-
tive settlers information of what is actually being done by Oregon
farmers, doubtless it also contains much that is of interest to these
farmers themselves. However, it should undoubtedly be supple-
mented by further studies along similar lines. We now realize as
never before that the rural problem is a problem of better business
and better living as well as of better farming; but before much of
value can be accomplished in solving the economic and social prob-
lems of the farm we shall have to recognize and act upon the idea
that such problems offer as important a field for investigation as
do those which relate merely to production. Definite information
upon which to base improved methods of production became available
only with the development of the research functions of the various
State experiment stations, and it is evident, I think, that careful
field studies of the factors involved must necessarily form the basis
for any satisfactory solution of the social and economic problems
of the open country. This work is so fundamental that I consider
it most unfortunate that no provision has been made for continuing
a line of investigation in which this bulletin represents the first step.

Statistics Based on Averages.

The tabulated statistics contained in this booklet are
NOT based upon the average conditions prevailing generally
throughout the state, but represent the AVERAGES based
upon the number of reports received upon the different
subjects, and the reader should not be misguided in this
respect. It is not the purpose or intention to mislead the
prospective homeseeker. Instances of unusual results are
not cited in the composition of this booklet, but only
the AVERAGES in all cases are taken into consideration
so as to avoid all possibility of misrepresentation. Pains-
taking care has been exercised to present the conditions
as they actually exist, in so far as the results of this survey
are concerned, with the average farmer in the state. STATE
AVERAGES represent the AVERAGE results taken from
farms that were selected as representing average possibili-
ties in each section.

OREGON FARMER

13

AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES IN OREGON.

By James Withtcombe
Director Experiment Station.

DIVISION

Coast

Southern Oregon . .
Willamette Valley.
Columbia Basin. . .
Blue Mountain.. . .
Central Oregon

STATE.

GENERAL STATISTICS (A)

I Average | Years Ex-
Number Years on ' perience as

of I this I Farmers. jTotal ,
Reports I Farm ! Own- ! Min

Average Acreage Operated.

Min. ' Mas. ed.

178
231

555
262
201
212

42

250 • 38

228 3

178 1 10

931 I 85

1089 i 20

548 i 33

Max.

475 ! 23

750
2900

866
8220
11280
8350

Rent. Cultivated.

331

156

140 !
1073 I
1808 I

396

5394 I 651

53
70
102
414
195
165

149

GENERAL STATISTICS (B)

DIVISION

I Required to
i Operate Farm.

Men Horses.

Coast i 3

Southern Oregon 2

Willamette Valley j 11

Columbia Basin 3

Blue Mountain I 3

Central Oregon | 2

STATE 4

Number Reporting Good
Opportunities for Work.

Carpen- vjaaonrv '■ ^lack-
try. Masonry, gjjuthing.

4

29

4

3

4

142

10 ;i

19

8,

37

8 ^

39

269

Average I

Depth of I Number of

WeUs, 1 Rural

Feet. I Telephones.

41
85
190
41
32
39

137
201
500
168
153
102

428

34

1260

^i^REGON is a land of agricultural opportunities. The state
X^ is divided by the Cascade range of mountains into two grand
physical divisions, known as Western and Eastern Oregon.
The western division is a humid section and the eastern is mainly
arid or semi-arid. These two sections of the state are subdivided by
geographical, soil and climatic conditions into smaller divisions.
In the western division, crop failure is unknown, and the same
condition largely exists in the eastern section, where agriculture is
not so well developed.

Much of Oregon is comparatively new in agriculture, nevertheless
the industry is established upon a stable basis. Statistical data
secured from 1637 farms show that the average time the present
occupants have been in possession is twelve years. The range of
occupancy of these 1637 farmers is from one to fifty-seven years.
This average includes the newer settled portions of the state,* thus
showing there is no general unrest or pronounced land speculative
tendencies among the farmers of Oregon.

Agricultural opportunities in Oregon are abundant. There are
approximately 45,000 farmers in Oregon and the tillable agricultural
area of the state is estimated at 23,000,000 acres. A considerable
portion of^thi8,|however, at present is in forest, but after the forest

14 OREGON FARMER

will come the farms. The average size of an Oregon farm is 514
acres, but the average size of a farm in Western Oregon is only 112
acres. The general tendency in the humid and irrigated sections
is toward smaller farms. In a number of sections, under intensive
methods of crop production, farmers are making a good living
from ten acres of ground.

Much of Oregon is a timbered country and a considerable area is
used for pasture, thus while the average sized farm is 514 acres the
average amount of cultivated land on each farm is 149 acres.

Another attractive feature of the average Oregon farm is the
great abundance of good water. The greater portion of the state
is well supplied with water from running streams. In addition to
this, excellent water is within easy reach over a very large portion
of the state. From the data secured from over 1600 farms, rep-
resenting all sections of the state, the average depth of wells is
shown to be 34 feet.

The farmers of Oregon are progressive, as shown by investments
in farmstead improvements and the very general use of the telephone.
Out of 1637 farmers interviewed 1260 reported having 'phones, or
77 per cent.

Farmers of Oregon are not only progressive but are also prosperous,
judging from the amount of capital invested in farms, ranging from
$7,150 to $59,955. The farmers also reside in good substantial
homes, as indicated bv the reported cost of dwellings, which range
from $533 to $2,096. "

Oregon is famous for its high class live stock, which is an important
factor in farm revenues. Statistics show that the value of live
stock upon Oregon farms ranges from $271 to $13,423.

The progressiveness of the Oregon farmer is shown in his farm
equipment. It is shown by data of the agricultural survey that the
value of implements and machinery maintained upon the farms of
this state range from $100 to $1,641. Statistics also show that the
annual gross receipts of individual farms are good, ranging from
$786 to $7,800. The average income per family upon the farm is
a good index as to the general prosperity of the farmer. This income
ranges from $358 to $4,307. While the average income is good the
standard of living is also good, but not in any way extravagant.
The tables show that the average family expenses range from $267
to $841. These amounts should afford good wholesome living and
at the same time it does not indicate that it is unreasonably expensive
to live on a farm.

Farming is not a get-rich-quick occupation, but under intelligent
systems of husbandry a good wholesome prosperity is assured.
Under good systems of farm management the risk from loss upon
capital invested is small, thus the percentage of profit on invested
capital is not so great as in some other fields of industry. However,
the data collected indicate that the percentage of profit, including
the family labor, upon the capital invested ranges from 4.37 per cent
to 14.28 per cent.

OREGON FARMER

15

THE LIVE STOCK INDUSTRY IN OREGON.

By E. L. Potter
Professor of Animal Husbandry.

STATISTICS ON CATTLE.

DIVISION.

Per cent.
Increase.

Acres per
head.

Value per
Acre.

100.00
78.33
90.00
58.92
68.05
61.26

$12.00

4.00
5.00
6.93
6.47
5.50

41.25

Willamette Valley

12.00

10.96

21.78

Central Oregon

2.50

STATE

79.33

4.33

$25 30

Distribution of Beef Cattle

PR eparedsytheDepartmentof Animal HusaANORY^

jcto'-^Of^ • \ PREPAREDSYTHEUEPARTMENTOF AniMA
j (Z4 ."W^^'S'^OrEGON AORiCULTURALCOLLEGE

••••.. •!.

. •.^:^^:^;:.r.*;:i*.-.- *

• v^««^>>!i ••,• IMAL u«:ijR

• I •

DEEFL/ATTLE 4-25,OC>OHEAOINOREX>ON

EACHDOTI«l INP CA^Eia lOOOHEAD. ^ .

BEEF CATTLE.

/SJCCORDING to the 1910 census there are about 425 thousand
ff^ beef cattle in Oregon. There are no exact figures available for
the present year but it is well known by all stockmen that the
number is much less than two years ago. It is very probable that 350
thousand would be about the correct number at the present time.
It will be noted from the map that the cattle are scattered throughout
the state, but are particularly numerous through the Blue Mountain

16 OREGON FARMER

and south central portions; in other words, they are most abundant
in the range districts. In the south central portion, beef cattle is
very decidedly the dominant industry. Harney county, for example,
has 4000 people and 100,000 cattle or 25 cattle per capita. Wisconsin
claims to be a great dairy state and has recently been featuring the
fact that she has one cow for every two inhabitants.

The cattle industry in Oregon may be divided into four divisions;
the range cattle industry; the raising of cattle on the grain and hay
farms; the fattening of beef on alfalfa; and the raising of pure bred
cattle.

Of these industries the range industry is by far the most important.
The bulk of the cattle in Oregon are run on the Government ranges
in much the same manner as the sheep. In the winter they are
brought down on the low land to graze the grass which has been
left from summer and in addition are given some hay. The range
men are quite uniform in stating that it takes just about one ton
of hay to winter a beef cow or steer. In summer these cattle are
allowed to run out on the open ranges. In some cases they run on
the lower and dryer hills which are not suitable for sheep raising.
Many, however, are run on the forest reserves in the Blue Mountains.
The cattle men ovm some land which they use for headquarters
and where they raise hay and feed for winter. Many of them also
own considerable areas of range land, especially for winter use.
Very few own any considerable portion of the land which they use
in the summer time. The size of the cattle men's holdings varies
from thousands of acres of land and thousands of cattle down to
the little ranch and a few cows. The great majority, however, of
the smaller class own perhaps a few hundred acres of land, only a
small portion of which is tillable and of any particular value, and
from 100 to 400 head of cattle. The Blue Mountain district is
particularly the home of the small cattle man. As with sheep it
requires rather more capital to start up in the cattle business than
on a small general farm, yet $10,000 makes a good start.

The grain and hay farmers in the irrigated A'alleys in Eastern
Oregon, particularly in the Blue Mountain section very commonly
raise a few cattle as a side issue. They will have on these farms
from 25 to 100 head which they will winter on the meadows, stubble
fields, and straw stacks, supplemented with a little alfalfa or clover
hay. In the summer time these cattle are put out on the hills, on
the ranges, or on privately owned pastures. They are then given
little attention through the summer; the owner in the meantime
devoting his time to the raising of grain and hay. In the fall they
are brought down again and wintered as has been outlined. This
method of handling is not adaptable to large numbers but is quite
profitable as a side issue to general farming.

The fattening of beef cattle in the w inter time is confined entirely
to the irrigated alfalfa districts. The practice in these localities
is very uniform and the process quite simple. The steers are brought
in in the fall, generally at weights from 1000 to 1100 pounds and put

OREGON FARMER

17

on alfalfa hay. They are given all the alfalfa they can be persuaded
to eat, which will be about 40 pounds per head daily. Upon this
feed they will gain from 1 to 2 pounds per day and at the end
of from 3 to 5 months will show a fair degree of finish and will be
sent to market. This industry makes a market for thousands of
tons of good alfaha hay, besides returning the manm-e to the land
and providing Western markets with good beef at the time when it
is most needed. A few feeders use a little grain in connection
with the alfalfa, usually from 5 to 10 pounds per day. The use of
grain, however, is very much the exception and most of the feeders
use nothing but hay.

HOGS.

STATISTICS ON HOGS

DR'ISION.

Average per
Litter.

Per cent, of | Per cent, of
Two Litters. I One Litter.

Coast Division. , . .
Southern Oregon. .
Willamette Valley .
Columbia Basin. . .
Blue Mountain. . . .
Central Oregon

STATE

No.
9.25
8.22
7.44
6.63
7.52
8.61

7.80

Per Cent.
75.00
69.4.3
80.55
58.74
87.09
80.00

69.84

Per Cent.
25.00
30.57
19.45
41 26

12.6^

20.00

30.16

Distribution of Swine

PBEPAREOBY THE Depart MtNTOfANIMALHUSBANDRY

"""^ (Oregon Agricultural College.

.lackama|| . \

it W A S C O

U M AT t L L A

<=> -^ J J

Swi N e:

218.000 HEAO IN OREGON
EACH0OT'Oiv:..c*Tes lOOOHEAD

I

^^/^\

18 OREGON FARMER

According to the census of 1910 there were 218,000 hogs in Oregon,
distributed mainly through the grain and general farming sections
as will be shown in the map. At the present time we have no
accurate figures but the number in the state must be about 500,000.
During the year of 1910, Oregon sent to the Portland Stock Yards,
26,000 head. In 1912, Oregon shipped 65,000 to Portland; con-
siderably more than twice as many. It is interesting to note that
five years ago three-fourths of the hogs used in Portland were shipped
from Nebraska. Two years ago about two-fifths were from that
state while in 1912 practically none were from Nebraska or any of
the corn states. At the present time Oregon supplies about one-
half of the hogs used in Portland while the other half comes from
Idaho, Washington, and Utah with a very few from the other neigh-
boring states. There are still, however, large quantities of cured
pork products shipped into Oregon and the Northwest from the corn
states.

The average number of pigs per litter according to the investiga-
tions of this bureau is 7.51 in Eastern Oregon and 8.34 in Western
Oregon. 76 per cent of the farmers raise two litters per year.

There are very few exclusive hog farms in Oregon at the present
time. Nearly all of the hogs are raised in connection with the grain,
stock, and dairy farms. The dairy farmers are feeding a large
portion of their skim milk to hogs and find that it pays them well.
The Oregon Experiment Station has found, as result of eleven
different experiments, that where skim milk is fed with grain to
hogs during the fattening period there is required 301 pounds of
ground grain (wheat or barley) and 331 pounds of skim milk to make
100 pounds of pork. Where the grain was fed alone 456 pounds
of grain was required to make 100 pounds of pork. As an average
of these experiments it was found that 213 pounds of skim milk
took the place of 100 pounds of grain.

In the Columbia Basin the wheat raisers find that they can raise
a few hogs to clean up the thrashing yards and stubble fields and
make several hundred pounds of pork at practically no cost. On
the irrigated farms especially in the Blue Mountain district, large
numbers of hogs are raised on alfalfa pasture with a little grain
in addition.

Taking the state as a whole, the abundance of forage crops, the
cooler climate, and freedom from disease make it possible to raise
pork very cheaply. Wheat and barley are the chief grains used.
These grains, when ground, have proven fully equal if not superior
to corn for pork production. The corn belt farmers figure that it
takes about 500 pounds of corn to make 100 pounds of pork. The
Oregon Experiment Station has conclusively shown by about twenty-
five experiments that 100 pounds of pork can be made from 450
pounds of wheat or barley.

On some farms in the state hogs are raised on alfalfa with no
grain until the fattening period. Such a practice is not very success-
ful and is not to be recommended although it does show the value
of forage.

OREGON FARMER

19

It is commonly claimed that hogs in Oregon do not have the diseases
which occasionally devastate the herd of the eastern states. While
it cannot be truthfully claimed that none of these diseases are known
in Oregon, it is undoubtedly true that in our cooler climate these
diseases are less virulent and do not spread so rapidly. There are
whole sections of Oregon where practically no disease has ever been
present.

In the breeding of pure bred hogs Oregon has made rapid strides.
The Willamette Valley has more good pure bred hogs than any other
section of the West, but even then can hardly supply the demand.

HORSES.
STATISTICS ON HORSES.

DIVISION.

Total
Reports.

Number reporting the price necessary to make
a profit on a 4-year-old horse.

Rate of
Increase.

$ 40

to

$ 59

$ 60

to

$ 79

$ 80

to

S 99

$100

to

$124

S125

to

$149

$150

to

$174

$175 $200

to to

$199 $224

Above
$225

86

8

255

145

99
142

1

2

3
1

13
22
15
20

15
5
104
48
29
43

12
1

32
6
3
3

22
1

60

15
9

10

31
■'27'

"5"

Southern Oregon

76 25

Willamette Valley

Columbia Basin

.....

5
4

4
6
6
16

2
6

13
46
27
35

88.75
81.50
60 12

Central Oregon

70.05

STATE

735

12

32

13

123

74

244

57

117

63

76 34

Distribution of Horses

J'sopf •X PREPARED BY THE DERftRTMENT OF Animal Husbandry, v—i" r"K

^ ^4coLUMBiA>| Oregon Agricultural College.

. M ALHEUR

M

? JOSEPH

o U-1 «

©

^^&!

U>S

L.J.. A^K E^ L_.

^ H A R N

^V

A M AT Hi

HORSES:27j

'bOOO HEAOINOREOON
EACH DOT (•) INDICATES lOOO HEAD

-r rz 1 — ^ — r —

•i

20 OliEGON FARMER

There are in the state of Oregon some 275,000 horses, Avith a
total value of about 37 million dollars. These horses, as is showTi
by the accompanying map, are scattered pretty well throughout
the state. They are rather more numerous in the more thoroughly
tillable portions, such as in the Willamette Valley and Columbia
basin, yet we find them everywhere; on the grain and hay farms,
the fruit farms, the wheat farms, the alfalfa farms, and on the ranges.
The larger portion of the horses in Oregon are raised by the farmer
who has a few mares to do his farm work and who sells a few colts
each year as a by-product. Nearly all of the farmers in the grain
and hay districts raise a few colts, but there are not very many who
are in the horse business on a large scale. The raising of colts on
these small farms has always been a fruitful source of income. In
Western Oregon, a large portion of the farmers interviewed reported
that they could sell a four-year-old colt for $150 or less and make
a good profit. A considerable number stated that they could do
well at selling colts at from SlOO to $125. In actual practice it
has been a good many years since a good four-year-old colt in Oregon
was not worth more than S150. By a little care in the selection of
a good stallion it is possible to raise colts from common mares which
will sell from $200 to $250 each. Most of our farmers, who have been
breeding their common mares to good pure bred stallions for several
years, are selling their colts for these prices. The wheat farms of
the Columbia basin are among the most favorably situated for horse
production. Nearly all of these farms have some waste land which
in connection with the straw and stubble fields are especially useful
in raising a few horses; second, the big, strong draft horses which
the market demands are just the kind of horses which these farmers
need to pull their heavy machinery; and third, the man who raises
a good many horses can afford to keep enough to do his farm work
at the right season and for that reason raises larger crops.

In Central Oregon we have horses raised on the farms in the manner
outlined but in addition have large numbers raised on the ranges.
It will be noted from the table that a good m.any farmers of Eastern
Oregon reported the price necessary for a four-5'ear-old horse at about
$75. The men giving this price were practically all range stockmen.
These horses are allowed to run out on the open range for the greater
part of the year. Some do not feed at all during the winter, but
most feed a little hay. At the other extreme we find men who have
their ranges fenced and who feed both grain and hay during the
AAanter. Under the latter system the cost is greater than $75 per
head but the price actually received is much greater, in many cases
twice as much. There are not a great number of stockmen raising
horses exclusively but all of the cattle and sheep men raise a good
many after the manner indicated. In former years, little attempt
was made at better blood and such improved stock as was introduced
was of the light breeds as the standard bred and thoroughbred.
More recently, however, much draft blood is being introduced and

OREGOX FARMER

21

the popular stallion at present is a grade drafter of the Percheron,
Shire, or Clydesdale breed. The most progres.^ive, however, are
using pure breds and the others are beginning to see their advantages.

There are several nice studs of pure bred horses, especially in
Western Oregon and the Blue Mountain region. Some of the finest
pure breds to be found in the country are raised here. They are
not, however, raised in sufficient numbers to meet the home demand
for breeding stock and many stallions and mares are brought in
each year from the eastern states and from Europe.

The report of the State Stallion Registration Board shows that
58% of the stallions of the state are pure bred whereas the average
of the entire United States is less than 50% pure bred. 45% of the
stallions in Oregon are pure bred draft horses, so it can be seen that
the Oregon farmer is improving his horses along the most approved
lines.

Mules have not proven popular with the farmers in the Western
part of the state and few are used or raised. In the wheat fields
of the Columbia basin they are quite popular and a large percentage
of the mules in the state are found in this section. The wheat
raisers find them very useful on their heavy machinery and they both
buy and raise a good many. In Central Oregon, not many are
worked, but there are a good many raised on the ranges. The mules
seem particularly adapted to range conditions and it has been found
possible to raise splendid mules on the ranges even from common
mares. Central Oregon and the Blue Mountain section are about
the only parts of the state which produce a surplus of mules. These
are mostly shipped to California and the other states to the South.
Most of the jacks come from the southern corn-belt states although
there are a fev/ herds of jennets in Oregon and some very good jacks
are being raised. They meet wnth a good demand in the mule
raising sections of the state.

SHEEP.

STATISTICS ON SHEEP.

DIVISION

Per Cent.
Increase.

Lobs From

Wild
Animals.

Average.
Wool Clip

Cost of Value
Winter- Pasture Land per
ing. per Head Acre.

i

Age Ewes
are sold.

Southerii Dh-ision

Per Cent.
85.9
102.5
87.38
88.25
82.71
83.76

Per Cent.
3.00
1.20
6.50
3 25
6.91
5.62

lb.

8.66
8.12
10. 50
7.34
8 35
9.50

$ .50

.41
.50
.83
.71
.63

A.
2.27
2.42
1.20
1.40
2.95
2.50

$16.93
28.54
38 3

8.40
15.38

6.00

Yra.
5.36
7 12
6 38
6.53
7.11
6.75

Willamette Valley

Columbia Basin

Blue Mountain

STATE

88 30

S 25

9 11

85 1 9 M

22 18

6 4

22

oregon farmer
Distribution of Sheep

EACH DASH ( I ) indicates IOOO HEAD

I" !

i*i

,|f|Af.ATH ;• .-.V^ '^J .... 4;

There are at the present time over 3 milhon sheep in the state of
Oregon. Sheep are grown in all parts of the state, especially in Eastern
Oregon, but as will be sho^\ai on the map, the sheep centers are along the
border between the Columbia Basin and the Blue Mountain section.
In Western Oregon most of the sheep are raised in the Willamette Valley.

Sheep raising in Oregon may be divided into three divisions ; rais-
ing sheep on the range for mutton and wool; raising of spring
lambs in the Willamette valley and other parts of Western Oregon;
and the raising of pure bred sheep.

The range sheep industry is a very large one in this state. The
report of the Tariff Board based upon accurate figures concerning
230 thousand sheep in this state gives the following interesting
information: The average wool clip per head is 8.9 pounds, this
wool being produced at a cost of somewhat less than 11 cents per
pound after allowing for all expenses, salary of manager, cost of
feed and pasture. The average per centage of increase was 79.6 per
cent. The Oregon Statistical Bureau, however, shows for the farmers
inter\dewed an average per centage increase of 84.3 per cent for
Eastern Oregon, and an average wool clip of 9.38 pounds. It will
thus be seen that the average wool clip and the average per centage
of increase of both are considerably above the average of the whole
United States, or even of the entire West. According to the Tariff
Board report the average wool clip of the entire West is 7.3 pounds
and an average increase of 70.3 per cent.

OREGON FARMER 23

Most of the range sheep are run on the lower lands in the winter
time where they are grazed on the dry bunch grass left over from
summer. Where there is an abundance of this grass, it cures down
and makes a good nutritious feed. Such grass is, however, always
supplemented with more or loss hay during the winter. The Eastern
Oregon sheep men report an annual average expenditure of 72 cents
per head for hay and forage for wintering. During the summer
these sheep are driven on the higher mountains where they can get
green grass throughout the year. The lower sage brush hills become
quite dry in July and August and are not suitable for pasture for
ewes and lambs, although they may be splendid during other seasons
of the year. In the higher mountains, however, there is much green
grass, particularly in the forest reserves, and it is here that most
of the sheep are kept during midsummer. There are immense
bands of sheep throughout the Blue Mountains and on the eastern
slope of the Cascades. The sheep are usually handled in bands
from 2000 to 2500. It has been found that they can be handled
more economically and profitably in bands of this size. Very few
men attempt to run sheep on the range with very many less than
this. Where they have a larger number, they are subdivided into
several bands of about this size. In Eastern Oregon, about 1600
sheep are run for each twelve months employee.

There are many large sheep men whose holdings run up to several
thousands. The great majority, however, do not own nearly so
many. There are hundreds of men throughout the state running
just one band of ewes and doing very nicely with them. It takes
little more money to start a band of sheep than to start a small farm,
but at the same time it does not require any excessive amount of
capital. In the early days there were many bands of sheep owned
by men who had no real estate holdings whatever. This condition,
however, no longer exists and all of the sheep men now have some
land where they raise hay and provide winter quarters for their
sheep. They may also own a good deal of their range, particularly
their winter range. Their summer range is nearly always on Govern-
ment land and commonly in the forest reserves.

The raising of spring lambs in Western Oregon is a radically
different industry from the range sheep business east of the Cascade
Mountains. A very large portion of the small farmers in Western
Oregon handle a few sheep, generally from 10 to 50 head. These are
allowed to rough it through the wdnter, picking up a little grass around
the fences and being fed a little hay in the winter. The Iambs come
rather early and grow rapidly on pasture or forage crops, such as rye,
vetch, clover, and rape. The springs arc much earlier than in
Eastern Oregon and there is a greater abundance of green forage so
that the lambs are both born earlier and grow faster. They are
usually ready for market before July. Many of them are put on the
market at a much earlier time than this and it is entirely feasible and
practicable to market these lambs in March or April, as some of the
most progressive farmers are already doing. After the lambs are

24 OREGON FARMER

gone, the ewes are allowed to rough it and pick up their living
around the stubble fields and meadows. Handled in this way a few
sheep on the farm clean up a lot of weeds and waste material and
so cost very little, but at the same time bring in quite an income.
These sheep are practically all of the mutton breeds, mostly Cotswold
and Shropshire. There are very few Merinos.

The raising of pure bred sheep has become quite an industry in
Oregon and has made some parts of the state famous throughout
the country. In Eastern Oregon there are a number of large flocks
of very high grade sheep, particularly of the Merino and Ram-
bouillet strains. One company has in Eastern Oregon probably
spread more good Merino and Rambouillet stock through the North-
west than any other firm. Western Oregon and particularly the
Willamette valley has become famous as a breeding ground for high
class long wool sheep, particularly of Cotswold and Lincoln breeds.
It seems that the climatic and forage conditions in this section are
peculiarly adapted to these breeds and we find them developed to a
degree of perfection which is not equaled anywhere else in the United
States. Recently prominent importers of Cotswold and Lincoln
sheep, who have been in the habit of sending to England every year
for sheep for Eastern shows have come to the Willamette valley
and have been able to get better stuff than they could import.
Many of the best flocks of long wool sheep in the Willamette valley
have been bred in this district for many years.

On the whole the raising of sheep in Oregon is one of the most
extensive of the live stock industries. There is no other line of
agriculture in the state which has already built up as many substan-
tial fortunes and there is no other which offers a better promise
of the future.

GOAT RAISING IN OREGON.

Goat raising has become a prominent industry in the western part
of the state. Oregon ranks among the leading goat raising states
of the Union, being about third as to numbers and distinctly first
as to quality. The finest Angoras in America are produced in the
Willamette valley and they are produced in large numbers. Through-
out the foothill section of Western Oregon, especially in the coast
district, we find considerable areas of brushy, rough, land. This
condition combined with our mild winters and cool summers makes
an ideal place for goats. The goats shear nearly as hea\n»' a fleece
as do sheep and the mohair has been selling at from 35 to 45 cents
per pound. In addition to the income from the mohair there is a
still greater income from clearing up the brush. Many of these
brushy pastures which are practically worthless in the beginning
are made into valuable land by pasturing with goats for a few years.
There are still immense areas of Western Oregon which are at the
present time producing little or nothing, but which would produce
a good income with goats and after a few years of pa^sturing would
be valuable for many other purposes.

OREGON FARMER

25

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN OREGON.

By F. L. KexXT
Professor of Dairy Husbandry.

/^S stated elsewhere in this pubhcation, it was deemed advisable
)^ to consider the results of the survey by districts rather than to re-
gard each county as a separate unit. The general scheme of mak-
ing six divisions of the state has been followed in considering the data
gathered relative to dairying. However, it was thought advisable
to set forth certain facts relative to each county in the several divisions
and accordingly the table on this page has been prepared from the
latest U. S. census figures. The special dairy item in this table states
the number of dairy cows in each county, and incidentally shows the
relation of dairy cows to population and acreage. It will be observed

POPULATION, AREA, NUMBER DAIRY COWS.
Report U. S. Census for 1910.

PopulatioB.

Coast Division:

Clatsop

Coos

Curry

Lincoln

Tillamook . . .

Area, Acres.

Willamette Valley :

Benton

Clackamas. . . .

Columbia

Lane

Linn

Marion

Multnomah...

Polk

Washington. ..
YamhUl

Southern Oregon:

Douglaa

Jackson

Josephine

Columbia Basin:

Gilliam

Hood River.

Morrow

Sherman. . . .

Umatilla

Wasco

Blue Mountain:

Baker

Grant

Union

Wallowa

Wheeler

Central Oregon:

Crook

Harney

Klamath

Lake

Malheur

THE STATE.

16,106
17,959
2,044
5,587
6,266

10,663
29,931
10,580
33.783
22,602
39,780
226,261
13,469
21,522
18,285

19,674

25,756

9,567

3,701
8,016
4,357
4,242
20,309
16,336

18,076
5,607

16,191
8.364
2,484

9,313
4.059
8,554
4,658
8,601

672,765

525,440
1,041,920
958,720
645,120
720,000

440,320

1,192,960

423,680

2,951,680

1,435,520

764,160

288,640

453,760

467.840

456,900

3,150,080
1,815,040
1,120,640

768,640

347,520

1.290,000

535,040

2,0.30.720

1,499,520

1,938,400
2,892,800
1,335,680
2.012.800
1,000.500

4.977,920
6,357,120
3,839,360
5.068.800
6.325,120

01,188.480

Per Cent.
Land in
Farms.

10.3
19.4
11.1
24.5
13.1

53.5
25.2
21.6
16.4
32.2
51.6
29.9
57.4
51.4
60.0

18.3
16.4
10.9

56.5
10.9
52.0
69.6
51.7
36.3

15.2
15.4
29 6
17.6
38.1

11.5
8.8

11.8
7.9
3.6

19.1

No. Farms.

369
1,128
292
961
651

1,098
3,646
813
2,826
2,751
3.490
1,478
1.557
2,871
2,218

2,124

1.714

855

432
744
614
466
2,005
1,331

1,304

773

1,.309

1.0.')S

387

1.3.55
443
926
712
801

45.502

No.
Dairy Cows.

3,325
8,544
1,948
3.383
8.481

5.083
11.378

4,515
10,891
13,802
13,467

7,777

5,931
12,678

7,751

6,666
3.824
2.011

896

780

1,653

953

4.651

2,386

4,802
3.0.53
4,081
■i 420
1.277

2,908
1,840
3,16«
1,733

172,550

26

OREGON FARMER

that, in the state as a whole, the table shows practically one cow
for each four persons, and one cow for each 354 acres of the whole
area, or one cow^ for each 67.6 acres of the reported area in farms.
In one county only, Tillamook, is the number of cows greater than
the population.

The ratio of dairy cows to population as shown in the foregoing
table, practically one to four, is even higher at the present time
because the human population has increased more rapidly than the
"cow" population. Comparing the cows and population in some
of the best known dairy states we find the follo^^dng:

STATE.

Population.

No. Cowa.

Population
Per Cow.

2,333,860
2,075,708
2,224,771

1,473,505
1,085,388
1,406,792

1.6

2.0

Iowa

1.6

It will be observed that the number of cows in proportion to
population is about two and one-third times greater in the three
states referred to than in the state of Oregon. This condition of
affairs would seem to indicate that there need be no fear of dairy
over-production in Oregon in the very near future. Further, the
census figures show that the state of Washington on the North has
1,141,900 people and 186,233 cows, or one cow to about every six
people, and California, our Southern neighbor, has 2,377,549 people
and 467,332 dairy cows, or practically one cow for every five people.
With Oregon alone importing annually nearly 100 carloads of dairy
products it does not appear that there can be any question as to the
demand for the local product on the Pacific coast.

NUMBER AND VALUE OF COWS AND HEIFERS.

Coast
Division.

Willam-
ette
Valley.

Southern

Columbia

Blue

Oregon.

Basin.

Mts.

4693

5592

4831

231

235

201

165

79

76

883

448

721

149,761.00

$28,176.00

$41,227.00

$56.35

$52.90

$57.18

231

202

164

$7,992.00

$5,714.00

$5,807.00

$34.60

$28.29

$35.41

26.2

45.1

22.7

5.4

5.7

9.5

Central

Total No. Farms in State, 1910
Census

No. Farms reported in the Survey

No. Farms reporting cows

Total No. cows reported

Total value

Average value

Total No. heifers reported

Total value

Average value

Heifers compared with cows, per
cent

Average No. cows per farm*

4214

176

158

3681

$205,003.00

$55.70

1052

$37,299.00

$.35.45

28.6
22.7

21935

556

455

3330

$228,416.00

$68.60'

1429|

$53,166.00

$37.20

43.5
7.3

4237

212

140

1004

$65,198.00

$64.94

348

$14,428.00

$38.60

34.6
7.2

'Average number of cows per farm applies to number of farms reporting cows, not to whole
number of farms reported.

Values as given for both cows and heifers are somewhat lower than
actual prices at which sales are being made at this time (April,
1913). Good grade cows in the Willamette Valley are selling at
$70.00 to $75.00 and choice grades $80.00 to $90'.00. Pure bred
animals are of course higher, the prices depending considerably on
quality.

OREGON FARMER

27

In the Columbia Basin, Blue Mountain and Central Divisions,
dairy cattle values are now considerably higher than shown in the
table. Quite a number of young animals have been brought into
these sections within twelve months, from Wisconsin, Illinois,
Iowa, and probably other middle west states. The greater portion
of this stock has been of the Holstein breed, and high grade tw^o-
year-old heifers due to freshen in the spring have cost from .575.00
to $90.00 "laid down" in these sections. One shipment to one town
in Umatilla County consisted of 145 head, nearly all high grade
Holsteins, including five registered Holstein bulls.

SIZE OF HERDS AND AVERAGE VALUE PER COW.

Coast
Division.

Willam-
ette
Valley.

Southern

Columbia

Oregon.

Basin.

231

235

66

156

33

1

S57.00

S57.50

82

43

$58.00

$61.00

35

20

$55.00

$61.00

12

7

$53.00

$62.00

1

1

$50.00

$60.00

$70.00

$90.00

1

0

$75.00

Blue
Mts.

Central.

No. farms reported

No. reporting no cows

No. reporting 1 cow

Average Value

No. reporting 2-5 cows

Average Value

No. reporting 6-10 cows

Average Value

No. reporting 1 1-20 cows

Average Value

No. reporting 21-30 cows...

Average Value

No. reporting 31-40 cows...

Average Value

No. reporting over 40 cows.

Average Value

14
$52.00

25
$54.00

47
$54.00

29
$57.00

25
$53.00

18
$61.00

556

1011

39!

S63.00|

234

$63.00l

102

$67.00

53

$84.00

15

$61.00

5

$65.00

7

$84.00

201

125

3

?.50.00

31

$56.00

27

$53.00

11

$50.00

0

3
$67.00

212

72

19

$56.50

58

$61.00

39

$60.00

18

$69.00

1

$40 00

3

$63.00

2

$75.00

The purpose of the above table is to give some idea of the size
of the herds kept in the various sections. It will be observed that
in the Coast division, the largest number of farms keep from 11 to
20 cows, while in all other sections, on the majority of the farms
five or less is the number usually found.

It will be observed that the 11-20 group is a high valuation one
in the Willamette Valley. This is probably due to a considerab le
number of pure bred herds falling in this group.

FARMS REPORTING INCOME FROM COWS.

Coast

Willam-
ette
Valley

Southern

Columbia

Blue

Div.

Oregon.

Basin.

Mts.

176

556

231

235

201

158

445

165

79

76

151

413

123

34

37

3609

3094

774

274

353

$240,581.00

$219,600.00

$44,946.00 S13.943.00

$18,544.00

$66.66

$70.98

$58.07

$50.88

$52.53

Central.

No. farms reported

No. reporting cows

No. reporting income

No. cows, income reported

Total i ncome reported

Average income per cow. . .

212

140

75

679

$33,036.00

$48.65

The item, "average income per cow," takes into consideration
as a rule only the direct income from the sale of milk or cream as
indicated by the monthly checks received. Due allowance should
be made for the value of skim milk in addition, as the figures given
are based on a butter fat price basis.

28 OREGON FARMER

While the average income as stated above probably represents
average conditions pretty closely, many herds show a much higher
income. An average of the three highest herds reported from each
of several counties gives a figure in excess of SIOO.OO per cow. For
instance, in Clatsop County, three herds containing a total of 50
cows are reported as averaging $118.59 per cow in one year. But
the three herds reporting lowest income in Clatsop County, contain-
ing a total of 83 cows, show an average per cow of only S29.26. It
is probable that the figures just given include the sale of some sweet
cream which can usually be sold at a price considerably in advance
of ordinary prices paid for cream for butter making purposes.

In Tillamook County, where practically all milk sold is made
into cheese an average of the three highest income producing herds
reported, containing a total of 61 cows, shows an average per cow
of $114.59. But the three lowest producing herds, containing 71
cows, show an average per cow per year of only S37.61. These
averages are segregated from a total of 41 farms reporting incomes.
Tillamook County is the great cheese producing region of the
Pacific coast, and the product has a great reputation for uniformly
high quality. A co-operative selling association handles the greater
portion of the product, and has proven a most effective selling agency
from the standpoint of both seller and buyer. For the year 1912,
the product of twenty-two factories is reported as follows:

Pounds of milk received 36,534,575

Pounds of cheese made 4,016,150

Amount received for cheese sold $640,132.90

Average price per pound $ .161

Pounds cheese per 100 pounds milk 10.99

Information is not at hand to show how many cows produced
the milk from Avhich this four million pounds of cheese was made.
But the latest U. S. census gives the total number of farms in Tilla-
mook County as 651, and since the output of all the factories in
the county is not included in the foregoing tabulation, we can safely
say that the average per farm is considerably in excess of 81,000.00.

While averages show what is actually being done by the many,
the higher incomes of the few indicate what it is possible to accom-
plish. A bit of history of one Linn County dairy farm is of interest
in this connection. About four years ago, this farm of some three
hundred acres was purchased for less than S40.00 per acre. The
place had been poorly farmed and it was necessary to build a new
cow barn as one of the first improvements. The family consisted of
father, mother, and one groAMi son. They are "book farmers,"
that is, they keep account of the income and the expenditures of
the farm and the account for the year 1912 shov.s a net profit of
about $3,600.00 after deducting all expenses, including an allowance
of six per cent interest on the investment. The dairy herd consists
of about equal numbers of pure bred and high grade Jerseys. The
product is sold in the form of sweet cream, shipped nearly a hundred
miles to Portland. Allowing 25 cents per hundred as the value
of the skim milk, in addition to the receipts for butter fat, the average

OREGON FARMER

29

production per cow was S145.00 for the year 1912, and about S140.00
for the year 1911, although nearly one half of the cows in 1911 were
heifers with first calves. True this dair3'man gets about 40 cents
per pound for butter fat throughout the year, but two or three
different firms were willing to pav the price for 1913, that he received
in 1911 and 1912.

A less extensive report comes from Benton County, showing an
income of $150.84 for the month of March (1913), for butter fat
alone sold to a creamery, from a herd of fifteen cows. Milk and
cream for a family of four adults was also used on the farm. The
cows in this herd for the most part freshened during September,
so all were past their best milk flow. These cows are rather high
grade Jerseys, but are no better than many other grade herds
scattered over the state.

Cost of Milk Production: It was found to be next to impossible
to secure definite data relative to the cost of producing milk and
milk products. The cost of feed during the winter months as
estimated by a very few dair\Taen ranged around S5.00 or SG.OO
per month for cows fed a full winter ration. During the summer
months in cases where pasture was available, the cost of keeping
a cow was estimated at $1.00 to SI. 50 per month. Where the soiling
system was practiced the cost per cow per month was estimated at
about $2.50, If we assume that the cost of feeding the cow was
$5.00 per month for six months and S2.50 per month for the remaining
six months of the year, we have a total feed cost of $45.00 per cow
per year. In some instances the cost would no doubt be higher than
this figure and in others very much lower. But for good cows well
fed for winter milk production, the feed costs would range pretty
close around S45.00 per head per year. Of course if the heaviest
milk production occurs with the cows on good pasture, the feed cost
Avill be greatly reduced.

LABOR AND WAGES.

Coast
Div.

Willam- ■ I I

ette Southern Columbia Blue
Valley. . Oregon. 1 Basin. Mts.

Central.

No. farms reported

No. farms reporting cowg

No. cows reported

No. cows, labor reported for

Total hours labor per day

Average time per cow, minimum .
No. farms reporting wages.

176 I 556 2-31

158 i 455 165

3681 I 3330 8S3

3130 j 2698 761

1198 i 926 290

23 : 21 23

72 35 ! 7

Average wages per Month ; $38.30 $38.00 ; $34.65

235

79

448

286

95

20

3

$35.00

201

76

721

260

115

27

4

$38.76

212

140

1004

942

300

22

6

$37.50

Two systems are followed in the emplo>Tnent of labor on the
dairy farm. The most common arrangement is to have each milker
care for six to ten cows, thus putting in two or three hours per day
in dairy work, and the greater part of his time in the field. As most
of the dairy herds consist of less than ten cows, this plan must of
necessity be the most common one. On the larger dairy farms
many proprietors consider it best to have the men who do the milking
spend their entire time at dair>' work, and on such farms twenty

30

OREGON FARMER

to twenty-four cows are considered a "string", and by the time a man
feeds, grooms, milks, and cleans stables for this number of cows
he is considered as having done a fair day's work. In summer
when the cows go to pasture, the work of feeding and cleaning stables
is considerably reduced and a man will have time for some other
work. On some dairy farms, it is the practice to pay hired help
higher wages during the summer months and require more hours
work per day than during the winter season. In some cases, as
high as $50.00 per month is paid during part of the summer, with
the winter wage at S30.00 per month. These wages as well as the
averages given in the foregoing table, include board and lodging.

Quite a number of the larger dairymen, and particularly the
breeders of pure bred stock, employ men with families, furnishing
them with house and certain privileges in the line of garden, poultry,
and dairy products. Where men are employed under this sort of
arrangement, the wages range from SoO.OO to $75.00 per month.
In case the help is given a large measure of responsibility his com-
pensation will be still higher. In still other cases a man and wife
both are employed, the wife helping with the house work, and both
ha\dng their board furnished by the management. Under such an
arrangement, man and wife jointly receive $60.00 to $90.00 per
month.

BREEDS OF CATTLE.

Coast
Div.

Willam-
ette
VaUey.

Southern
Oregon.

Columbia
Basin.

Blue r'„„»..„i
Mts. Central-

Cows:

Total farms reported

Total farms reporting cows

Total farms reporting breed of —

176...
158

158. . . .
1508
12
641

'■■45

" "25

556

455

446

2106

92

200

39

46

65

43

20

231
165
146
560
11
5

235
79
67

249
40
36
4

201
76
66

316

212
140
135
264

No. of Jersey. P. B. •

No. of Holstein, grades

No of Holstein, P. B

2

121
13

No. of Guernsey, grades

No. of Guernsey, P. B

No. of Ayrshire, grades

10

57

6

7

No. of Brown Swiss, grades

No. of Short Horn, grades

No. of Short Horn, P. B

20
237

162

96

57
5
81

30
11

8

1
2

69

230
12

1217

129

37

40

17

2

7

4

1

1

353

269
91

102
10
17

195

43
19
12

1

299

16
6
11

233

Sires:

No. of farms reporting breed

No. of Jersey, grades

No. of Jersey, P. B

No. of Holstein , grades

No. of Holstein, P. B

48
8
8
3

6

No. of Guernsey grades

5
3
2
4
1

2

No. of Ayrshire, grades

No. of Ayrshire, P. B

2

1

3

1

No. of Herford, P. B

2

No. of Brown Swiss, P. B.

1
14
15
13

No. of Short Horn, grades

No. of Short Horns, P B.

7

2

20

8

4 { 2
2 1 1

14

2

No. of Mixed breeds

1

1

1 4

7

*P. B. means pure bred.

In several cases two or more bulls were reported on one farm.

OREGON FARMER

31

A very undesirable condition of affairs with reference to dairy sires,
is revealed by the table on the opposite page. It will be observed that
in each of the six divisions, except the Willamette Valley division,
the number of grade and mixed breeding (scrub) sires exceeds the
number of pure bred sires. In the Coast division the pure bred
sires are outnumbered two to one. The use of pure bred sires is
the most potent factor in effecting improvement in the producing
capacity of a dairy herd, and the dairyman who tries to economize
by using an inferior bull is following a very short sighted policy.

Reference to the table will show a very large preponderance of
Jerseys, among the grades as well as the pure breds. The Willamette
division in particular is shown to be a decidedly Jersey district.

NUMBER AND KINDS OF CREAM SEPARATORS.

Coast
Div.

Willam-
ette
Valley.

Southern
Oregon.

Columbia
Basin.

Blue
Mts.

Central.

No. farms reported

No. of farms rep>orting cows

No. of farms reporting separators.

De Laval

Sharpies

Economy Chief

Simplex

Empire

U.S

Iowa

Galloway

American

Dairy Maid

Omega

Reid

Miscellaneous

176

158

90

29

16

14

15

5

3

3

4

1

1

1

556

455

303

62

72

40

32

38

26

13

2

3

4

2

3

231

165

83

20

23

15

9

5

7

201

76

39

15

4

5

6

1

3

1.

212

140

73

22

14

15

4

5

3

1

1

1

2

Reference to the above table indicates to some extent the
importance of the cream separator as a part of the dairy farm equip-
ment. The use of the separator on farms selling the product to
creameries is almost universal except in some parts of the Coast
division, particularly Coos County, where whole milk is delivered
to the creamery. In the cheese making districts there is not much
use for the separator. The 49 farms reported in Tillamook County
show only six cream separators.

The table shows something of the variety of cream separators
now on the market. The "miscellaneous" portion of the tabulation
represents nine different kinds of separators in addition to the 12
individually listed.

Markets: The Oregon market for dairy products is one of the
highest in the United States. Butter prices in Portland range from
3 to 6 cents higher than butter prices in Chicago, New York and
other Eastern markets. The Portland price is also usually some-
what in advance of the San Francisco market. The state is well
supplied with creameries, cheese factories and condensing estab-
lishments, so that the milk producer has little trouble in finding a
ready sale for his product. Practically all milk and cream sold to

32

OREGON FARMER

factories of the various classes is sold on a butter-fat basis. Cheese
factories and condensing establishments are able to pay a higher
price for the fat than the creameries are, but there is a question in
the minds of most milk producers as to whether the higher price
compensates for the loss of the skim milk for feeding purposes.
Prices paid for butter fat by one of the largest creameries in Western
Oregon are sho^^Ti in the following table :

BUTTER PAT PRICES.

Month

January

February...

March

April

May

June

July

August

September.

October

November.,
December. .

Average..

1909

J0.37
.34}
.38
.28
.26i
.26i
.28i
.31}
.35}
.36
.38
.40

1910

$0.40
.40
.38
.32}
.28
.29
.30}
.34}
.36
.37
.37}
.40

1911

1912

.33

.35}

$0.40

$0.38

.35}

.36

.32

.34

.27}

.33

.24

.27

.23}

.28

.26

.29}

.27

.32

.30

.33}

.32

.36}

.35}

.37}

.36

.39

.30J

.33}

The sale of surplus stock is an important source of income for
the Oregon dairy farmer at the present time. The farmers in the
Eastern portion of the State, being unable to get sufl&cient stock
in the Western portion to supply the needs of a rapidly developing
dairy section are sending representatives into Wisconsin, Illinois,
and Iowa to secure foundation stock. Such Oregon dairvinen as
have stock for sale arc receiving most satisfactory prices.

The statement is sometimes made that the higher prices of feed
stuffs in Oregon in a large measure offset the gain due to the higher
price at which dairy products are sold, when comparison is made
with Middle West conditions. While it is true that some of the
concentrated feed stuffs are higher, a lower value should be assigned
to hay, roots, and other coarse fodder, and the mild climate, par-
ticularly in the Western portion of the State, permits of a longer
growing season — in fact, the growing of certain crops, kale, for
instance, throughout the winter. The importance of dairying in
connection with fruit growing is just beginning to be realized. Par-
ticularly is this true in the case of the small fruits. On most soils
suited to small fruit production, fertilization soon becomes necessary,
and stable manure is well suited to this use. One prominent small
fruit grower says that the fertilizer produced by his cows fully pays
for the feed and care of the animals so that the value of the dairy
product may be regarded as all profit.

Adjectives are scarce in this book,
to entertain but to present hard facts.

It was not written

OREGON FARMER

33

SOILS AND FARM CROPS IN OREGON.

By H. D. ScuDDER,
Professor of Agronomy.

CONTENTS.

Types of Fanning in Oregon Pages 33-35

Selecting a Farm in Oregon Pages 35-46

\ The Soils of Oregon Pages 46-52

I.The Farm Crops of Oregon Pages 52-63

TYPES OF FARMING IN OREGON.

^IpHE agricultural wealth of Oregon is derived veiy largely from its
Vii/ fields of grain and hay and from its livestock and dairy farms.
The greater share, perhaps 90 per cent, of the tillable acreage
of the state is better adapted to the growing of the common field crops
than for any other use. Selected areas in many parts of the state have
great advantages in soil and climatic conditions for the production
of the various fruit and truck crops. Oregon has become so widely
knoA\Ti, and properly so, as a grower of high grade fruits that it is
only recently that the newcomer to the state has learned of equally
advantageous conditions for the production of other crops.

A glance at the agricultural production of Oregon for 1912 will
show that the great majority of the farming population of the state
is employed in the growing of the staples of agriculture — field crops
and livestock.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN OREGON IN 1912.

" " Wheat

^ ^^ Oats

r* '■" Barley

'^ f^ Hay

1. Field Crops Green forage, roots, etc

Hops

Potatoes

Seed crops of clover, vetch, alfalfa, etc.

Total field crops

Livestock, wool, mohair, etc.

Dairy products

Poultry products

Fruit

Vegetables

Miscellaneous

Total $127,154,000

Value.

$15,819,205
5,602,738
2,663,624
12,367,819
6,000,000
4,140.000
3,500,614
1,800,000

$51,894,000

$36,375,000
16.750,000
7,250,000
6,750,000
5,250,000
2,885,000

Percentage

of
Total Value.

12.4%
4.4
2.1
9.7
4.7
3.3
2.8
1.4

40 8

28.6
13.2
5.7
5.3
4.1
2.3

100.0%

Because of the diversity in climate, soil, topography, transporta-
tion facilities, market conditions, and in the price of land, in the
different portions of the state, nearly every type of farming common
to the United states is successfully carried on in Oregon. Grain,
hay, dairying, all classes of livestock (both under range and farm
conditions), poultry, fruits, truck — all of these types, singly, or in

34 OREGON FARMER

every possible combination, are found. The most frequent specialized
types of farming (where just one crop is produced) are: Wheat
farming, cattle ranging, sheep ranging, fruit growing and perhaps
dairying. The most frequent diversified types are: (1) Field crop
and livestock combinations; (2) Dairy farming combinations; (3)
Diversified field crop production.

Of the t3^es of farming named, those which offer the surest
returns and the v/idest opportunity for success to the average farmer
are well balanced combinations of the field crops together with a
certain amount of any of the classes of livestock or forms of dairy
production — diversified farming, in short, on a moderately and in-
creasingly intensive basis. Examples of combinations for diversified
farming well adapted to securing the highest and most permanent
profits in the different natural di\'isions of the state are suggested
below.

Coast Division.

(1) Diversified Dairy Farming — On the bottoms and tidelands or
the red hill lands, for the production of cheese and butter. This
is undoubtedly the most profitable type for this region, which is
richly endowed for this kind of production.

(2) Diversified Livestock Farming — Cattle and sheep grazing on the
hills with grain and hay in the valleys. The large areas of steep hill
land offer the best of grazing throughout the year because of the
summer rains and absence of vvinter snow, while the richness of
the many small valleys permits maximum grain and hay crops.

(3) Truck or Small Fruit Farming — Certain classes of truck on
the rich tidelands and of small fruit on selected hill lands are very
successfully produced.

Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon Divisions.

(1) Diversified Field Crop Farming — Potatoes, grain and clover
seed, for example. A very profitable type where livestock is not
desired.

(2) Diversified Crop and Livestock — (a) Grain and hay, sheep or
cattle; (b) Grain and forage, hogs and sheep. Both of these types
are unusually profitable ones where properly carried out.

(3) Dive7'sified Dairy Farming — (a) Butter, cream or milk pro-
duction in combination with hogs or chickens or both, with hay,
grain, soiling crops and pasture. This is one of the most common,
surest and most ^videly successful types for these divisions, (b)
Dairying and small fruits — an especially profitable type for small
farms on high priced land, (c) Dairying in combination with hogs
and the growing of cash crops^such as potatoes or clover seed. Excel-
lent where so many cows are not desired.

(4) Fruit Growing ^■Diversified and Specialized — -In no part of the
state or Northwest are superior conditions found both as to climate
and soil for fruit growing than in the Willamette Valley or Southern
Oregon on selected areas.

OREGON FARMER 35

(5) Truck Farming — (a) Diversified; (b) Truck in combination
with fruit growing. Limited areas and certain soil tv^pes are espec-
ially adapted to the growing of the more profitable truck crops
such as onions, celery, etc.

(6) Poultry Farming — Diversified or specialized or in combination
with dairying and small fruits. Exceptional market demand makes
any form of poultry production, properly managed, successful.

Columbia Basin, Blue Mountain and Central Oregon Divisions.

(1) Diversified Grain and Legume Seed Production — On dry farming
lands where livestock is not desired.

(2) Diversified-Grain, Forage, Hogs and Horses — A still better type
for the dry farming lands.

(3) Diversified-Grain, Legume Seed, Forage, and Hogs or Sheep and
Poultry — An equally good type for the dry farming lands and good
also on the irrigated lands.

(4) Diversified-Grain, Forage and Hog Production — A profitable
type for both the dry farms and the irrigated farms.

(5) Diversified-Dairy Farming with Hogs and Poultry — The best
type for the irrigated lands.

(6) Diversified Fruit Production — On the irrigated lands in selected
areas in the Columbia Basin and Blue Mountain divisions.

SELECTING A FARM IN OREGON.
Selecting The Type.

Of course, the type of farming to be selected mu'^t be determined
largely by the personal experience, inclination and capacity of the
individual for any certain line of production. From the economic
standpoint, however, the capital required, the length of time before
returns are received, the relative risks of failure involved, the chances
for increased valuation of the property, the labor requirements for
the different types — all must be considered in selecting the kind
of farming to be undertaken. These points settled, a careful survey
of the conditions in the different districts of the state as to the soil,
climate, topography, transportation facilities, markets, community
advantages, la'" r supply, prices of land, etc., will disclose those
sections where the largest number of these factors favor success
for the particular type of farming chosen.

Selecting the Region.

Most newcomers as a rule give too little consideration to the
relative advantages of the different sections of the state for the
t>T3e of farming they wish to undertake. No matter what type is
selected, no farmer need fail in Oregon if due care is used in selecting
the most suitable section for hia purpose. No better investment
of a portion of the newcomer's capital can be made than in a careful
examination of the chief farming districts, and then of the district
itself for the indi\idual land.

36 OREGON^JARMER

Change in Climate.

In studying the various districts themselves, and as they are
shown in tables of results herein, the climatic conditions will be
found to play a very important part in the variation in production
observed. Since very misleading statements are often expressed
regarding "changes in climate" supposed to take place, it is well to
state here that the climate of any locality does not change. A very
common fallacy in new countries is the belief that the climate will
alter, rainfall increase and frosts decrease with the change brought
about by putting land under cultivation or irrigation, while in old
settled countries it is very commonly stated that the climate is
changing. Both of these ideas have been repeatedly proven untrue
by the most authoritative and indisputable records of accurate
weather observations. Precipitation and frosts in a region are not
altered by cultivation or irrigation. In very small confined local
areas, night temperatures may be slightly altered but never sufficiently
to be of practical importance as far as crops are concerned. Nor
does the climate grow steadily worse or steadily better. Weather
varies greatly from year to year but there is an average or normal
weather condition that may be depended upon to prevail the majority
of years.

Climatic Considerations.

The important climatic considerations as affecting the production
of a region are, normal total precipitation and its distribution
through the year, (especially during the seeding and growing and
harvest seasons), and frosts, (as regulating the length of season).
The effect of the Japan current on the westerly winds and the great
variation in the topography of the state are the chief factors
causing Oregon's unusual climatic features and the v^dde climatic
variations between the different regions. (Data for different
districts of the state are given elsewhere). See page 65. Oregon
is largely free from the torrential rains which cause floods and injurious
soil erosion — free from injury by hard and violent winds — noted
for her cool nights in summer, and, in Western Oregon especially,
for the great mildness of all winter and summer temperatures and
the exceptionally long growing seasons. The rainfall varies widely
— it is heav>' on the coast, ample in the Western Oregon interior,
less in Southern Oregon, and scanty in the Columbia basin and
Central Oregon, increasing again in the Blue Mountain region.
The distribution of rainfall for spring seeding is good throughout
the state, and for fall seeding excellent, except in portions of the
Columbia Basin where it generally comes a little late. For the
harvest of hay and grain the conditions are ideal, but for summer
crops the precipitation is a little too light in the summer months
imless thorough cultivation is given.

The temperature is mildest and the growing season longest on
the coast, mild and long in the Willamette Valle>', shorter in Southern
Oregon as the elevation increases, still shorter in the Columbia
Basin and Blue Mountain region, and shortest in Central Oregon

OREGON FARMER

37

at the higher elevations, so that in that district only the hardier
crop varieties may be grown.

Getting Started Right.

Upon a wise selection of the farm itself more than on anything
else, depends the farmer's opportmiit)^ for success. There are, in
each district in the state, farmers who are always prosperous,
who get paying crops in "ofT" years and good crops in ordinary
years, who live in comfortable homes, and send their sons and
daughters to college. These are the farmers who have selected a
type of farming fitted to their individual capacities and chosen a
region suitable to that type and then have located the right farm
on which to carry out their plan. Other farmers in the same com-
munity will spend a lifetime working against unfavorable odds because
of the poor selection of the iy^Q of farming, of land, or of methods.

Size of Farm.

A common mistake in purchasing a farm is selecting too large
a size for the t^pe of work to be done, investing too much of the
capital in land and reserving an insufficient amount for equipment
and operation. The successful modern farmers in Oregon are almost
universally those who select the smaller farms, work them more
intensively, and diversify their production. The newcomers to
Oregon who fail are more often those who speculate in farm lands.
The man who comes to Oregon as a speculator in land is in nearly
all cases less successful than the man who comes to farm the land.
Individual farm values here increase largely as production on the
indi^ddual farm increases. Poorly farmed land increases in value
slowly or not at all. The good farmer gets the double profits of
successful production and increased land value. This means that
the best opportunity in both directions lies with the farmer who
selects the number of acres best adapted to his type of farming.

On the more successful Oregon farms of the difTerent types the
gross profits per acre and the best sizes of farms from which to get
such profits are about as follows:

BEST SIZE OF FARM (CROPPING AREA) FOR DIFFERENT TYPES.
On Basis of Annual Gross Income of $4000.

Type.

Gross Income
per Acre.

Size of

Cropping

Area.

No. of

Work

Horses.

Ave. High.

Western Oregon Diversified Dairy Farm

$ 50 00 *inn on

80 acrea.
100 acres.

25 acrea.
640 acres.

320 acres.

100 acres.
20 acres.

4

Western Oregon Diversified Crop and Stock Farm

Western Oregon Diversified Truck Farm

40.00

150.00

7.00

12.00

40.00
200.00

70.00

300.00

15.00

20.00

70.00
400.00

5
2

Eastern Oregon (Dry Land), Wheat Farm

12

Eastern Oregon Diversified (Dry Land), Crop and Stock
Farm

8

Eastern Oregon Irrigated Diversified Crop and Stock
Farm

5

Oregon Fruit Farm

2

The most successful farms are those of sufficient size and diversity
of production to keep the farmer and his horses busy throughout
the year, securing the best efficiency in the use of capital, labor,
horses and machinery. Twenty to thirty acres per horse is the

36 OREGON^FARMER

range for the most profitable production with modern machinery
except on the dry farming lands, where larger acreage per horse
is fjossible.

The purchase of larger sized farms than those given above would
in most cases be justified only on the basis of the speculative value
of the land or, too extensive a form of farming to get the best per-
manent results or the highest profits per acre.

Examining the Prospective Purchase.

The proportion of land on the farm adapted to the kind of farming
to be done, the shape and size of the fields as adapted to economy
in cultivation and for fitting into a rotation, the convenience of
location of the farmstead to the fields — all these must be considered.
The fewer division fences, the less chopped up and irregular the
fields are, and the closer the farmstead is to the center of the farm,
the better. The topography is very important both as to the absolute
elevation above sea level and the relative elevation above surrounding
lands. After elevation increases above 2500 feet the growing seasons
become markedly shorter and frosts more frequent. The relative
elevation above surrounding lands as affecting the air drainage bears
upon the protection from local frosts and in Western Oregon es-
pecially, bears upon the natural drainage of excess moisture. Only a
little slope is needed as a rule to give good natural water drainage. The
exposure of the slope as far as temperature is concerned is less import-
ant in Oregon than in more extreme climates but the soil on the hill
lands in this state varies considerably with exposure, being quite
commonly less good in quality on the south slopes, especially where
the slopes are more steep. In som^e regions in Eastern Oregon and
along the coast the exposure of the slope also bears upon the protec-
tion from strong winds.

The natural drainage of the land for excess moisture should be
given careful attention especially in Western Oregon where the
rainfall is very heavy and in Eastern Oregon where the land is irrigated
and through seepage, may become "alkalied". Where artificial
drainage is required the cost per acre should be considered in judging
the value of the land.

The condition of the land as to cover of brush, stumps, stones,
weeds, etc., should be given special attention. Too frequently
Eastern farmers unaccustomed to timber or other cover greatly
under-estimate the cost of clearing. It is often better to buy land
already cleared. When land is not cleared the price should be cor-
respondingly much lower. Clearing sagebrush land in Eastern
and Central Oregon costs about $5 per acre, juniper land S15 per
acre, and in Western Oregon oak grub land or cut-over timber land
from $50 to $100 per acre.

Of all the points considered in selecting a farm, the most important
is the fertility of the soil, and by this is meant the natural fertility.
Building up the farm with commercial fertilizers and otherwise
increasing the fertility through artificial means is costly and slow
and greatly reduces the profits in farming. Nor does the artificial

OREGON FARMER 39

fertility induced ever fully take the place of natural fertility. Oregon
farming lands for the most part have great natural fertility. This
is of special importance to the general farmer who must depend
mainly upon natural fertility rather than upon costly commercial
fertilizers. While some Oregon farms because of poor drainage
or long abuse have soils that are out of condition, they are not out of
fertility, even though the present crop yields are low. The soils
are neglected, not 'poor, and with good tillage methods and rotations
or a little under drainage or liming, quickly respond. There are
very few soil types or areas in the state that could be called poor
or worthless.

So then, before the farm is purchased the soil should be examined
most carefully for fertility. Soil survey maps of the state or govern-
ment should be used where obtainable as they give a great deal of
valuable information, but unfortunately Oregon has no state soil
survey as yet and government maps are for very limited areas only.
Such as there are, can be secured by writing the Bureau of Soils,
Washington, D. C.

The crops growing upon the land, if there be such and if all the
conditions as to season, treatment, etc., are normal, should of course
give considerable information as to the fertility of the soil, but in
many cases the crop is not a sure guide; nor on the other hand can
any man, no matter how wise he be, determine the fertility from
the character of the natural vegetation, especially by the presence
or absence of any one plant. Oaks four feet through will sometimes
be found on soil only a foot and a half deep. However, the natural
vegetation does give some indication of quahty. Soils on which the
pines grow and other trees do not, are as a rule inferior in quality,
while soils where the basswood, walnut, ash and maple grow well,
are generally of the best quality. On the Western Oregon hill
lands a dense gro'U'th of vigorous scrub oak is generally a good
indication, while a light scattering growth usually means lack of
depth or quality. The growth of fir seems to be regulated more by
the moisture conditions than by other soil qualities. On the hills
the growth of the "fern" or brake is often deceiving. A very heavy
growth will generally indicate merely a greater abimdance of moisture
from seepage, and a light gro^i^h does not by any means indicate
a lack of fertility. In Eastern Oregon a dense growth of heavy
black sage indicates the better, more fertile soils, while the absence
of this brush and the presence of greasewood, saltbush and saltgrass
indicate poor natural drainage and the presence of excessive alkali.
Sedges or slough grass mixed with other grasses in a field indicate
poor under drainage. The poor growth of the clovers and the
presence of an abundance of sorrel and moss indicate, in Western
Oregon, acid soils in need of lime, while along the coast the growth
of huckleberries, blueberries and salal brush to the exclusion of
others indicates lack of lime.

The color of the soil is generally a fair indicator of fertility, the
darker red or darker gray or brown shades indicating the richer
soils. A black color, however, does not always indicate great

40 OREGON FARMER

fertility. The soil should be seen dry as well as wet as nearly always
it becomes darker and richer looking when wet. The darker a soil
becomes on wetting the richer it is as a rule.

Chemical and physical analyses of soils are of service in aiding
the scientist in judging fertility. They are of little value to the
farmer who cannot interpret them. Unfortunately, chemical
analysis cannot show the availability of the plant food contained
in the soil. It is chiefly valuable in showing a marked deficiency in
the total supply of any important element in soils where some defici-
ency is apparent. A physical analysis is more readily interpreted
and in most cases is of greater value, as it determines the proportion
of the mechanical components in a soil and thus bears immediately
on the aeration and drainage and upon the chemical and bacterial
activities which have so much to do with the rate at which plant
food becomes available. Physical analysis shows also the ease
of handling and the crop adaption possibilities of a soil. The
interpretation of a soil expert familiar mth the soil and other con-
ditions in the different localities of the state, is necessary, to make
any analysis of the greatest value. The best thing for the newcomer
who is in doubt about the fertility, value and use of a soil in which
he is interested, is to take with considerable care, pint samples
representing the average surface soil to a depth of 10 inches and the
average subsoil to a depth of 30 inches, and send these udth a complete
description of the land, its exact location, topography, pre\ious
cropping, sub-strata, etc., to the Soil Department of the State
Experiment Station for examination and advice.

In no case should the farmer fail to make borings ^vith a post
hole augur or spade to determine the character of the subsoil, depth
to rock, gravel, "soapstone", or other underlying strata — presence
and character of hardpans, distance to standing water in poorly
drained land, etc. There is no man so expert in judging fertility
who can estimate it by looking at the surface soil alone. Subsoil condi-
tions are seldom indicated by surface appearances. For many forms
of production the depth and character of the subsoil is more import-
ant than anything else. In Western Oregon the depth of soil and
natural drainage are the most important points to be observed, and
in Eastern and Central Oregon — degree of sandiness, hardpan, and
drainage, as indicated by alkali excess. Presence of alkali is readily
shown during the summer months by browmish stains or whitish
salts— by "slick" spots where the soil is badly run together and
cracked, or by saltgrass or greasewood and the absence of black sage.

The physical character of the soil — its lightness or heaviness —
affects farming operations more than any other single feature — in
ease of soil handhng, earliness of seeding and quickness in maturing;
as well as in retentiveness of plant food and moisture or the opposite,
inclination toward acidity, the kinds of crops best adapted, etc.
Hence, the physical qualities should be given close attention in
selecting the land.

The climatic conditions on the indi\'idual farm must also be con-
sidered. A slight elevation on the long, gently sloping flanks of

OREGON FARMER 41

the hills in Central Oregon where the soil is of good depth, often
gives sufficient air drainage to protect field crops from killing frosts,
while the level lands one-half mile away, will suffer. In this same
section a slight relative elevation often gives additional precipitation
or extra moisture from seepage, etc., while in other parts of the state
the elevation makes an especially great difference in the frost protec-
tion of fruits. Individual farms may differ considerably as to wind
exposure, affecting fruit trees, oi evaporation or soil blowing, etc.

Healthfulness in the selection of an Oregon farm is not a factor.
There is probably not an unhealthful location in the state.

Marketing conditions must be carefully considered. Is there a
good local market for products raised or for buying supplies? What
is the distance to haul? Hauling costs vary immensely with different
products. Some products, such as alfalfa seed, can be hauled one
hundred miles where for others such as hay all the profits would
be consumed in only a few miles. Distance alone does not regulate
the cost of hauling. The character of the roads as to surface, grade
and drainage is even more important. Road conditions in Oregon,
however, are rapidly improving. Transportatio7i and shipping
facilities to the more distant markets — freight rates, frequency of
train service, number of transfers, warehouse accommodations,
terminal facilities, etc., should be observed. The opening of the
Panama Canal will undoubtedly do a great deal for the Oregon
farms in bringing them nearer to the eastern or foreign markets.
The great development of electric railroads in Western Oregon in
the last few years and the extension of the steam railroads to Central
Oregon have effected great improvements for both the long and short
hauls of the farmer's goods.

The labor supply of the locality should not be overlooked. In most
districts it is reasonably good and promises to be much improved with the
influx of immigrants with the opening of the Canal. Farm wages are
not unduly high even at the present time. (See Table 2, page 44.)

Community conditions play an important part in the selection of
a farm. Co-operative organizations for the growing, advertising,
preparation for market, storing, selling and shipping of products,
as well as for the buying of supplies are essential for nearly every
form of production, whether it be apples, cows, onions, grain or
other goods. The Oregon farmer has made a good begiiming in the
matter of co-operation, is fully aroused, and well in advance of
most of the other states in the Union in this modern develoj^ment.
The social and business conveniences of the community and the
hving cost are also factors in the selection of the farm.

Water for livestock and domestic use is often one of the most
costly necessities on the farm. The average depth of wells in the
different districts of Oregon is shown in Table 2, page 44. It varies
locally in the Columbia Basin and Central Oregon more than else-
where, all the way from 20 to 500 feet. Throughout Western Oregon,
water of fine quality is easily obtained from springs, streams or wells.

The fertility of the soil and the location for marketing are the two
most vital factors so far discussed; the third, is the amount and

42 OREGON FARMER

character of improvements. As a rule both extremes, either the farm
that is altogether unimproved or the opposite case, one that is over
improved, are over-valued or over-priced. A good house is the most
important building improvement to seek. It can generally be
purchased more cheaply than built. Costly farm houses, however,
may be out of proportion to the capital invested in the rest of the
farm, for they produce no income. Comfort and modern conveni-
ences, in any case, are an essential part of modern rural life that
any farmer can have if his business success justifies it. Other farm
buildings are desirable only if suitable. Otherwise, they are of
little value. Oregon farms are as yet rarely over-loaded with
building improvements. Good buildings on good land are generally
bought at their real value. Good buildings on poor land are valued
too high.

The kind, condition and arrangement of fences is important.
Good woven wire boundary' fences are a valuable part of the purchase.
Rail or other inferior fences are often purchased at a loss, as are also
division fences. Such fences Vv^aste land, increase labor and harbor
pests and in modern systems must be removed.

In Western Oregon most farms have the advantage of a wood lot
thrown in at no cost. Wood is especially valuable where located
on waste land so that it does not mean eventual cost of clearing.

Good family orchards are very common and efifect an important
saving in the living cost.

The acreage and quality of the area of the farm actually under
cultivation or cleared should be used in determining the real price
per acre. Waste land should be cut out entirely in figuring the price.
It generally will do no more than pay its own taxes. All undrained
land or poorly drained or alkali spots should also be eliminated or
cost of reclamation included in figuring the real value per acre
compared with the price asked. Little money should be paid for
waste land and uncleared or unreclaimed areas should be figured
correspondingly low. In irrigated lands the amount, cost, upkeep,
and right to water, and danger of alkali, should be considered.

Land in Western Oregon to which one is a stranger should be
examined in March when bare and the phj'sical conditions and the
drainage are easily discerned. Land in Eastern or Central Oregon
should be examined in July — at the dryest season and during harvest.
Known land should be examined at harvest time and the character
of the season and the weather should be taken into consideration.
Never should land be purchased after only one trip of inspection.
A second inspection alone, from a different direction, always pays.
The conditions on surrounding lands, crop yields obtained and
opinions of neighbors will often disclose additional facts.

It should be remembered that land values are variable within
relatively short distances. Advertising often creates high prices
in certain sections. Often land equally as good a short distance
away may be found at much lower prices.

Buy on real value as guaged by production, not on trading or speculative
value. Study a region or even live in it a while before buying. The

OREGON FARMER

43

writer has often advised newcomers to hire out or rent a farm in a
region a year before buying.

Land values in different divisions are shown according to the
U. S. census and for representative farms as determined by the
Agricultural Survey (see Table 1, below). The price varies largely
as the location is close in or further out.

Improved dairy land or diversified crop or stock farming land
or fruit land unplanted (as good as there is. as far as productivity
is concerned) may be purchased in Western Oregon at from S50 to
$150 per acre, depending on the location and improvements. Truck
land may be purchased for from 8100 to S200, and irrigated land in
Eastern Oregon for from SoO to S150.

The best homestead lands are already taken. IMost of the remain-
ing homestead lands are in Central Oregon. There is practically
no homesteading land in Western Oregon. Most homesteads are
worth what the owner makes of them. In many cases, though not
all, the homesteader who has a small amount of mone}' and good
farming ability would do better to invest it in deeded land or in
renting land imtil his capital is increased. From tenant to owner
is a change that takes place rapidly in Oregon. Rental terms are
reasonable and crop conditions steady, so that renting is an attractive
opportunity for the farmer of small capital as it permits the handling
of far larger acreage and operations than would the same capital
invested in his own land. See Table 2, page 44.

Tftble 1.

PRESENT OCCUPATION OF LANDS IN OREGON.

(U. S. Census).

Division.

T3

a
S ■

.C a

■6

©■3

■MS

It

j3 a-jj

&-0

11

"o
.5 «>

2a

< e

o

il!

■I' as

1^

ii 3

t<

■5>J

==!=

Sh^W

t<

> 0.

>^

H

O

H

E-

H

<

Eh

< \<

<

3,891,200

46,004

1,291,629

300

3,401 190' $34

177%

IS3%

Willamette Valley

8,875,520

6,059,064

2,517,941

2,842

500

22,748 130 76

Southern Orecon

6,085.760

216,387

2,202,112

41,502

77,981

42,813

4,693: 190: 53

320%

Columbia Basin.

6,477,440

1,592,503

1,879,079

102,234

81.164

26,742,

5,592 '676,' 22

•231%
215%

Blue Mountain...

9,290,240

386,289

1,976,770

2.34,321

261,743

247,1961

4,831i 5031 22

Central Oregon . . .

26,568,320

791,857

9,483,108

5,827,646

449,588

356,714|

4,237 607| 20

238%

State Total

61,188,480

4,092,104

19,452,129

6,158,-555

830.527

686.129;

45,502 256J$ 35

200%

*Hood River County not included in this figure. Average value of land iu this county is $340 per
acre and size of farm very small and out of proportion to the rest of the division.

Present Occupation of Lands in Oregon. (Table 1, above).
This table shows at a glance the acreage in the state that is tillable
— 23,500,000 acres — and the large proportion of this still unplowed —
about 80% — also the considerable area of tillable public land still
open for entry. The large amount of land that is irrigable and the
proportion of this now under water speaks well for the development
of this phase of farming. It should be understood that while small
areas in the Willamette Valley and Coast regions are irrigated, that
irrigation in these districts is not at all necessary for maximum pro-
duction but that in very intensive forms of farming such as truck garden-
ing, irrigation may be used with profit even in these humid regions.

44

OREGON FARMER

Is there Room for You in Oregon?

The extremely small number of farms and the large size of the
same shows very distinctly the accommodations the state has to
ofTer for a great increase in its farming population. Tillable land
nearly 24,000,000 acres and number of farms only 45,000 are two
figures that explain a great deal as to the opportunity for further
agricultural development and the reason for 80% of the tillable land
being uncultivated.

Comparing the number of farms in the Willamette valley with the
number in other regions of equal or greater tillable areas, Central
Oregon for instance, shows at once where the land has been most
fully settled and where the greatest development is yet to take place.
It should be remembered, too, that the sizes of farms as sho"^Ti are
in most cases in all regions, twice as large as is desirable for the
most profitable forms and methods of production. This and the
large proportion of tillable land still uncultivated accounts for the
extremely low prices of land in all regions of the state, notwith-
standing the increase in value shown for the past decade.

With the facts sho^^•n in this table and elsewhere and a full know-
ledge of the possibilities for agricultural production in all parts of
the state — it is not too much for anyone to say that there is ample
opportunity in Oregon for five or even ten times its present farming
population and with even greater prosperity for all than her present
peoples enjoy. With the continuing westward trend of the farming
population of the United States, with the added influx- through the
Canal, and with Oregon on the very shores of the Pacific — it is not
too much to believe that the state will double the number of its
farmers within the next five years.

MISCELLANEOUS DATA.
From Agricultural Survey of Representative Oregon Farms,
(Note: The columns headed "No. Rep." indicate the number of farms
Table 2. reporting on each subject tabulated.)

A verage Rental For General
Farms.

Average Clear-
ing Cost.

Average Depth
of WeUs.

Average No.
Work Horses

No.
Rep.

Cash
per A.

No.
Rep.

Share.

No.
Rep.

Per
Acre.

No.
Rep.

Depth
in ft.

per Farm.

Coast

Willamette Valley. . .

14
129

$8.00
5.50

1
69

3
90

6
65

98
170
40
16
31
148

$80.00
55.00
53.00
35.00
13.00
6.00

66
323

23
142

77
184

22
36
21
69
23
45

4
4

3

Columbia Basin....

Blue Mountains

Central Oregon

9

20
27

6.50
6.00
4.00

12

7
8

State Average

$6.00

%

$46.00

33

6

Division.

Average Acres
Irrigated.

Average per
cent Using
Irrigation.

Average per
cent Using
Rotation.

Average Amt.
Manure used.

Average Crop

Sales

Per Acre.

Coast

WiUamett* Valley .
Southern Oregon. .
Columbia Basin. . .
Blue Mountains. . .
Central Oregon

State Average...

No.
Rep.

128
120
158
135

32

65

142

312

110

Per Cent.

= Per Cent.

No.
Rep.

145
412
197
17
19
158

Loads per

No.

Farm.

Rep.

76

47

103

404

55

139

41

158''

118

109

85

153?

90

Amt.

11.17

OREGON FARMER

45

Table 2— Continued.

AVERAGE WAGES.

Division.

With Board.

Without Board.

No.
Rep.

Day.

No.
Rep.

Month.

No.
Rep.

Day.

No.
Rep.

Month.

Coast

Willamette Valley

Southern Oregon

Columbia Basin

Blue Mountains

C-entral Oregon

127
428
148
204
113
183

$1.75
1.50
1.50
1.75
1.75
2.00

Ill
133
23
211
173
130

$27.00
29.00
26.00
36,00
36.00
36.00

52
180
52
82
47
16

$2.25
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.25
2.50

21
32
7
14
5
9

$55.00
45.00
50.00
48.00
52.00
52.00

State Average

81.75

$35 00

■ $ 2.25 1

$49.00

Miscellaneous Data on Farming Conditions in Oregon. (Table
2, herewith).

The higher cost of clearing in Western Oregon is due to the heavier
growth of trees — chiefly fir or oak. The average cost shown for
the Columbia Basin is for the clearing of lands having tree growi:h.
Sage brush covered lands in this division cost no more to clear than
elsewhere, about $5 per acre. In the Blue Mountain division the
clearing consists of sage brush and scattered trees and sometimes
floating rock — although the latter is more common in the Central
Oregon division. The low cost for Central Oregon is because only
sage brush lands have been cleared there as yet to any extent.
Scattered juniper tree growth and sage brush together in that
division cost about $15 per acre to clear.

The smaller number of irrigated acres per farm in Southern
Oregon and the Columbia Basin is due to the higher price of irrigated
lands and more restricted irrigable areas of those regions, while
the large number of irrigated acres per farm in Central Oregon is due
to the crude method of irrigation from winter overflow from streams
and to the more extensive t^-pe of farming done. The per cent
using irrigation, shown, is, like all other figures shown in the tables
from the Agricultural Survey — only the per cent of representative
farms visited and reported upon by the Survey — not the per cent of
the total number of farms of the region. Hence, in the Willamette
Valley, w^here almost no irrigation is done and none is necessary, and
in the Columbia Basin, where most of the lands are dry farmed —
the figures might be misleading.

The percentage of representative farms using rotations and the
amount of manure used per farm show the greater development in the
use of better farming methods and of dairy cows in the Willamette
Valley than elsew^here but still leaves much to be desired, for what
the average Oregon farmer calls a rotation is not a definite cropping
system for increasing fertility and farm economy and profits per acre,
but merely an occasional variation in the crop grown. It is this,
together with the fact that much of the crop is fed and sold as live-
stock, that makes the average crop sales per acre rather low, the
chief crops sold direct, being grain. Because of the large amount of
dairying this is especially true for the Coast region, while the bare

46

OREGON FARMER

summer fallow each alternate year, followed on the Eastern Oregon
dry farming lands, accounts for the smaller annual sales per acre in
the Columbia Basin and Blue Mountain region.

SOILS OF OREGON.

Chief Soil Types in Oregon.

Silt Loams .

Western Oregon .

Eastern Oregon .

Sandy Loams.

Western Oregon .

Eastern Oregon .

Marsh Soils.

Special Types.

[Dark Gray Silt Loams — General valley floors.
Red Heavy Silt Loams— Hill lands.
.|Red Loams — Hill lands.
Black Loams — Lower bottom lands.
[White Silt Loams— Poorly drained valley floor
lands.

[Light Silt Loams — Rolling plains or plateau lands.
. jRed Loams— Hill lands.
1 Black Silt Loams— Most valley bottom lands.
(Heavy Silt Loams— Mountain valleys.

i Light Sandy Loams — Coast bluffs.
Gray or Brown Sandy Loams — River flood
plains.
Black Gravelly Loams— River wash areas.

[Brown Coarse Sandy Loams — Columbia Basin
A river bluffs and tributary river bottoms.
(Brown or Gray Medium Sandy Loams — Central
Oregon rolling plateau lands.

! Black "Beaver Dam" — Old marsh soils — Willam-
ette Valley.
Silty; Marsh Mucks— Tidoland marshes of coast
and Columbia River.
Raw Peaty Mucks — Tideland marshes and Cen-
tra! Oregon interior marshes.

"Adobe" — Heavy sticky clay soils — black, red,

gray — Southern Oregon and in spots throiigh-

out the state.
"Granitic Soils" — Coarse sandy soils— yellow,

white— Southern Oregon.
"Pumice Soils" — White or yellow, coarse pumice

and sands — Central Oregon towards head of

Deschutes River.
"Alkali Soils" — Generally silt loams— local areas

in Eastern Oregon only.

Approximate Composition of Some of Chief Oregon Soil Types.

Clay
%

Silt
%

Sands.

Very Fine] Medium
and and

Fine % Coarse %

Totol

Rock

Particles

%

Organic

Matter

%

Silt Loams
Heavy Type (Silt Clay).

Average Type

Light Type (Loam)

100
100
100

Sandy Loams

Coarse Type...
Medium Type.
Fine Type

100
100
100

Marsh Soils

"Beaver Dam".
"Silt Muck"....

•Adobe" or "Sticky'

(Clay)

63

100

"Granitic"

The greatest factor in the agricultural wealth of any country
is the fertility of its soils. Oregon is widely known for the mildness
of temperature, ample rainfall and long growing season prevailing
in certain of its districts, yet the state is even more fortunate in

OREGON FARMER 47

the possession of a soil cover of unusual natural fertility and great
endurance under cropping. Great natural fertility or "strength"
of soil is the most valuable agricultural asset a country may possess.
The soils of the state may be roughly di\ided into four great
classes, which in order of importance are as follows:

The Silt Loams. This is the most widespread and most important
soil class. The silt loams are found in large areas in practically
every county in the state. For total production; for adaption to
the widest variety of crops; for natural fertility and for most other
desirable farming qualities; this class of soils is the most valuable
in Oregon. While the silt loams vary in composition in different
parts of the state, their important qualities remain fairly constant.
They are universally of high plant food content, particularly in
total potassium and phosphorus, yet their greatest claim to product-
iveness is their physical character. The average Oregon silt loams
are a happy medium between the sandy loam on the one hand and
the clay loam on the other, having the bad qualities of neither and
the good qualities of both. Often called "volcanic ash" soils,
particularly in Eastern Oregon, because of their origin and uniformly
fine, powdery texture — they are derived largely from the volcanic
basalt, a fine grained dark gray rock high in the mineral plant food
elements. The weathered products of this rock, alluvially deposited
and mixed with organic matter in greater or less degree, according
to the precipitation of the region, form the soil cover of the great
valley floors of Western Oregon, the rolling plateau lands of the
Columbia Basin, and the inter-mountain valleys of Eastern Oregon.

As their name implies, the chief component of the soils of this
class is silt, which is intermediate in texture or size of particles
between the clay component on the one hand and the finest grade
of sand on the other. Analyses of many samples of Oregon silt
loams show their general composition to be, roughly, as shown in
table, page 46.

As shown, they are a very uniformly fine grained powdery soil
having the desirable qualities of clay for the retention of moisture
and plant foods and large surface area for the breaking do-mi of
plant foods through chemical and bacterial activities and for feeding
plant roots, but because of the relatively small amount of the clay
component contained as compared with the amount of silt, these
soils drain quickly, warm up and become mellow earlier and handle
more easily through a longer working and growing season than the
clay loam type. The cold slowness, puddling, clodding, baking,
and cracking qualities common to clay soils are absent. On the
other hand, they contain little sand and do not dry out during drouth
or leach of plant foods as do the sandy loams. Physically this class
of soil requires for its maintenance in the highest state of fertility
additions of (1) humus forming material through good rotations
and (2)! ample;' cultivation. To both extra humus additions and
extra tillage, silt loams respond quick and generously. The

4S OREGON FARMER

natural fertility of the silt loams is so high that where good rotations
are used commercial fertilizers are not required.

In Western Oregon where the rainfall is heavy the silt loams
are lacking somewhat in lime and become acid if not amended
with applications of the ground limestone, which material is now
available in Oregon and may be used with great profit.

The silt loams of the valley floors or rolling table lands vary in
color through all the shades of gray to black, while those of the hill
lands range through the shades of red to a deep chocolate or brownish
black color.

The silt loams of the valleys of humid Western Oregon or irrigated
Eastern Oregon are notable for their high production under intensive
handling, especially of forage crops for dairying or diversified farming
such as the clovers, alfalfa, vetch, kale, roots, potatoes, corn, grasses,
grain, etc., and for high grade fruit production. In the dry farming
area of Eastern Oregon these silt loams find great favor because
of their remarkable qualities for moisture retention, ease of tillage
and availability of plant food.

The Sandy Loams. The sandy loams cover a considerable area in
the state, in all cases lying immediately adjacent to present or former
water bodies. The low bluff lands immediately on the coast; the
flood plains of the rivers throughout the state; old river washes and
alluvial fans; the low wind-blown bluffs extending back from the
Columbia River; and the great rolling plateau lands of Central
Oregon, former bottom of a great inland sea — these are the areas
where the sandy loams obtain.

The river flood plains naturally have the richest of these sandy
loams — mixed of fine sediments, sands and silts varying from coarse
sands at the stream to the finest sandy loams further back. These
soils are of good plant food content but under heavy cropping without
proper rotation do not have the endurance of the silt loams, as they
do not have so great a total plant food supply. Because of their
earliness, ease of tillage, quick maturing, and high availability of
the plant foods contained, they are adapted to the most intensive
methods — trucking, intensive dairying, small fruits, etc. On this
account the fertility can be maintained easily enough at the highest
state by the use of legumes, manures and fertilizers. For growth
of any succulent crop such as roots, kale, cabbage, potatoes, corn,
etc., heavy fertilizing will give very profitable and quick returns.
This is equally true of the irrigated sandy loams of the Columbia
Basin and Central Oregon. Legumes, manure and applications of
potassium in commercial form, give splendid results. This type is
one of the best in both Western and Eastern Oregon for alfalfa
growing.

On the dry farming lands this type is less desirable but still a
productive soil as no leaching has occured under the semi-arid con-
ditions and the plant food supply, highly available, has been
retained. It must be more carefully farmed than the silt loams

OREGON FARMER 49

under these conditions, however, in order to maintain fertility,
with good rotations and more or less livestock production, as com-
mercial fertilizers may not be used. (Composition, sandy loams,
table, page 46.)

The Marsh Soils. As their name suggests, these soils are the
results of the accumulations from the decay of generations of the
rank gro^^^:h of the fresh water marshes, sedges, rushes, "tules",
etc. — mixed with more or less silt and other sediments brought in
by the adjoining stream. The largest areas of these soils are found
along the coast on the rivers below tidewater- — such as the Columbia,
Coquille and Coos rivers — and surrounding some of the interior
lakes east of the Cascades — such as Klamath and Silver Lakes.
Smaller former marsh areas are found in the lower Willamette Valley
where the beavers, damming up small streams, caused marshes —
giving rise to the local name "beaver dam" soils. These "beaver
dams", like all marsh soils, are very high in organic matter content,
intensely black in color, rich in nitrogen, but deficient in lime and
potash, acid in reaction, and nearly always lacking in drainage.
Where lymg between the stream and higher ground, as practically
always they do, these soils vary from (according to the drainage)
either deep, black, well decayed organic matter or deep, raw, browTi,
peaty muck, at the center of the marsh — to a sandy loam at the
bank of the stream and a silty muck or clay muck as the higher
lands back of the marsh are approached. The ra'UTiess of these
soils depends altogether on the drainage. While the Western
Oregon marsh soils are all acid in reaction, in Eastern and Central
Oregon, the reverse is the case, some of the Central Oregon marshes
being strongly alkaline.

The first step with marsh soils is reclamation through drainage
or, along the coast, through dyking and drainage. These soils
are then cleared of their rank growth of marsh grasses, burned,
deeply plowed, cropped with oats several years, then to such
intensive dairy crops as mangels, turnips, kale, corn, hay and grains,
and still later in smaller units to more intensive crops such as pota-
toes, cabbage, celery, onions, etc., becoming wonderful truck
producers. Deficiencies in lime and potash may be very profitably
corrected with commercial applications because of the intensive
use of these soils. When reclaimed and developed these are
among the richest, easiest working and highest priced soils in
the state. (Composition, marsh soils, table, page 46.)

The ^' Adobe" Soils. This type of soil, sometimes called also
"black sticky" or "red sticky", according to the color, is found only
in limited amounts as compared with the great soil types of the
state previously discussed. It occurs in spots, however, in nearly
every section of the state, these patches varying in area from a
couple of acres to as high as a quarter section in some cases. Many
farms in Western Oregon, especially those in portions of the valleys
adjacent to the hills, will have a few acres of this type of soil. Prob-
ably the largest areas of "sticky" soils are found in the Southern

50 OREGON FARMER

Oregon division in the Rogue River Valley and the Umpqua Valley.

As might be inferred, this soil is extreme in nearly all of its qualities.
It is very difficult to plow or handle when wet and equally difficult
to put in a good state of tilth when dry. It does not drain well
and warms up slowly in the spring. On the other hand, it is
extremely rich in plant foods, especially in potassium and phos-
phorous. As shown in the table, page 46, practically all of the
extreme qualities of this so-called "adobe", which is really a clay,
are due to the extraordinarily high percentage of the clay itself
contained, of which component a considerable amount is colloidal
or glue-like in character. The most common color of this type is a
deep black, but frequently it is red or light gray.

Notwithstanding its objectionable features, this soil is one of
the most valuable found in the state when properly handled, and
the farmer is well repaid for the additional care it must receive
in the splendid returns it gives. Some of the finest quality and
heaviest yields of such fruits as pears and apples and of vegetables
of many kinds, of field corn, and other cultivated crops, are obtained
from this peculiarly rich land. The handling qualities of this soil,
which rolls off of the moldboard like putty when too moist and be-
comes as hard as iron, baking and cracking like joint clay, when
too dry, may be greatly improved by heavy additions of barnyard
manure and green manures to increase the humus content, together
with heavy applications of ground limestone. As this type frequently
occurs at the base of hills where there is considerable seepage, very
commonly under-drainage with tile is required to permit of its
redemption in the way suggested. Care in plowing at just the
right time, when it is not too wet to puddle or smear, and to com-
plete the plowing quickly before it gets so dry as to become cloddy,
is an important essential. Good rotations devoted largely to
thoroughly cultivated crops should be followed.

The "Granitic'^ Soils. This type of soil occurs only in Southern
Oregon, largely in the Rogue River Valley, where considerable
areas of it are found on, portions of the rolling hill lands and in the
valleys. While much of the soil of the Rogue River Valley is derived
from the granite rock, the soils commonly designated by the term
"granitic" and referred to here, are the very coarse sandy areas,
nearly white, light gray, yellow, or light red in color, which are as
yet but little used for agriculture. As indicated, these "granitic"
soils are very coarse in texture, having large amounts of coarse
sands and only relatively small amounts of silt and clay. As might
be expected, this soil is lacking in natural strength, being low in
nitrogen and organic matter and potassium and phosphorus. The
plant food contained, however, is in a fairly available form and with
proper handling these areas will undoubtedly become valuable.
The sandiness of the soil makes it early and desirable for rapid
growing crops such as vegetables, peaches, strawberries, and the
like, where early" maturity is desired. Further, the" soil responds
wonderfully to the application of fertilizers and the use of good

OREGON FARMER 51

rotations. Barnyard and green'manures together with the growing
of leguminous crops such as will add large amounts of humus,
give splendid results. With this sort of treatment and the addition
of reasonable amounts of commercial fertilizers, the fertility of this
soil will be greatly increased and its producing strength may be
permanently maintained for profitable cropping. Some of these
lands already farmed, have gro^n products of splendid quality.
(Composition, Table, Page 46.)

The "Pumice" Soils. This peculiar type covers only a limited
area at the head of the Deschutes River in Central Oregon. It is
white, gray, yellow, or light brown in color and very coarse and porous
in texture, being made up largely of partially disintegrated pumice.
Pumice is a very soft, exceedingly light and fine grained porous
rock of volcanic origin, which might be most aptly described as
volcanic spume. The qualities and agricultural value of this
"pumice" soil are as yet largely undetermined. The plant food con-
tent appears to be reasonably good, but the peculiar physical charac-
ter (lightness in weight, and great porosity), combined with the
rather high altitudes at which it is found, make the best use and
production possibilities of this soil, problematic, and its ultimate
use and value are yet to be determined. Because of its peculiar
physical qualities, its mechanical composition is not given here.

The "Alkali" Soils. Because of the heavy rainfall, alkah soils do
not occur west of the Cascades in Oregon. In Eastern Oregon
practically all of the soils are moderately alkaline in reaction, but
only sufficiently so to make this quality of great value in offering
desirable soil conditions for crop production. Only in those areas
of the semi-arid districts where the land lies so flat or pan-like as
to lack good natural drainage does the alkali become so excessive
in amount as to be injurious to crop production. The presence
of injurious amounts of alkah is indicated in dry weather by the
appearance on the surface soil of the whitish powder or crystals
of the "white" alkalies, or the blackish brown stains of the "black"
alkali; but at any time of the year the absence of the heavy black
sage and the presence of such alkali-resistant plants as greasewood,
saltbush, saltgrass, etc., together with the observable lack of natural
drainage, are good indications of the presence of excessive amounts
of salts. Such areas are to be avoided, unless the land can be artifi-
ficially drained and irrigated. On irrigable lands, artificial dramage
followed by flooding with irrigation water will wash out excessive
alkali, and the use of heavy dressings of barnyard manure and green
manures together with deep plowing and thorough summer culti-
vation to stop surface evaporation of moisture, will reduce and dis-
tribute the alkali so that profitable production may become possible.

On dry farming lands strong alkali areas are very undesirable.
While deep plowing and the addition of organic matter, greatly
improve such areas and in many cases entirely reclaim them, yet
for the most part strongly alkaline spots in the soil are to be avoided
for this type of farming. In portions of Central Oregon, alkali

52 OREGON FARMER

hardpans are not uncommon in the subsoil. Such lands should
always be examined by making borings to determine the presence
of this undesirable condition. It has been found in many cases
in the Central Oregon dry farming lands, where such hardpans occur
that the conservation of moisture resultant from the use of good
dry farming methods tends to dissolve and melt down these hard
pans so that they are no longer injurious to crop growth, but where
possible it is better to avoid this condition.

FARM CROPS OF OREGON

Oregon and Other States.

That the opportunity for the grower of field crops in Oregon is
unusual there are authoritative records to prove. A comparison
of Oregon crops with those of other well known states which lead
in the total production of the chief field crops shows almost without
exception that with the rate at which Oregon soils produce — in
yield per acre and also very commonly, in price per bushel or value
of the goods produced — this state is superior to the largest producers
in the Union. This remains true whether the average yield per acre
for the past ten years be taken or the yield of the last crop year.

(See Tables 3 and 4, pages 53 and 54.)

Oregon Crop Production by Regions.

The counties in the state in which the largest amounts of each
crop is produced is shown on page 55. Comparison of the total
production of the most important crops in the difTerent districts
of the state is shown on page 54. It will be noted that the Willamette
Valley leads in the production of Oats, Potatoes, Hops, Corn, Clover
Hay and Seed, Vetch Hay and Seed, Timothy and Clover, Grain
cut green. Kale, and total Hay of all kinds. The Columbia Basin
leads in Wheat and Barley. Central Oregon is first in Alfalfa and
in Grass Hay, and the Blue Mountain region is a close second in
Alfalfa, Clover and Timothy, and in Grass Hay.

The average size of the acreage on the individual farm, the average
yield per acre, and the average price and value for each important
crop in each different district is shown in the data obtained in the
Agricultural Survey of representative farms of the state. (See pages
56 to 59). In studying these tables it should be remembered how
the various sections differ as to rainfall, irrigation, price of land, etc.,
in making comparison of yields. The crop yields named are average
yields in all cases; taken from farms that were selected as representing
average possibilities in each region. Further, the year 1911 in most
parts of Oregon was below normal both for yields and prices. The
averages, yields and prices are all the actual figures obtained on
these farms for 1911. It should be observed that the figures under
AVERAGE VALUE PER ACRE are not obtained by multiphdng
AVERAGE YIELD by AVERAGE PRICE but are the average
of values actually obtained and may include the value of straw,

OREGON FARMER

53

etc. The yields where the best methods are used and in more
favorable seasons are much higher, in most cases, than those given
in the tables.

OREGON YIELDS AND PRICES COMPARED WITH STATES
LEADING IN TOTAL PRODUCTION.

(Note : In each table the first three states named lead in total pro-
duction in the order named. Figures taken from last U. S. Census.)

Table 1

WHEAT

Largest Producers.

North Dakota

Kansas

Washington

OTHER STATES.

Minnesota

Nebraska

South Dakota

Missouri

Pennsylvania

United States

OREGON

Yield in Bushels.

Yield in Bushels.

Average 10 Years.

Average

1900-1909.

1912.

12.1

18.0

14.0

15.5

23.1

23.5

13.0

15.5

17.5

17.6

12.1

14.2

13.4

12.5

13.8

18.0

14.1

15.9

19.6

25.0

Table 2

BARLEY.

Largest Producers.

Yield in Bushels.

Average 10 Years.

1900-1909.

Yield in Bushels.

Average

1912.

California

Minnesota

Wisconsin

OTHER STATES.

24.5
25.7
28.6

23.0
26.3
25.6
19.8
24.0
25.7
32.2

30.0
28.2
29.4

29 9

26 0

31 0

23 5

Nebraska

United States

22.0
29 7

OREGON

36.0

Table 3

POTATOES.

Largest Producers.

Yield in Bushels.

Average 10 Years.

1900-1909.

Yield in Bushels.

Average

1912.

92.0
88.0
88.0

.' ( ■

! ' 88.0

79.0

?'■ 76.0

•JSi 84.0

k 85.0

91.4

109.0

120.0
105 0

New York

107.0

135.0
114.0
82.0
112 0
101 0

Minnesota

Indiana

OTHKR STATES.

Ohio

United States

11.34
15.50

OREGON

54
Table 4

OREGON FARMER

HAY

Largest Producers.

Yield in Tons.

Average 10 Years.

1900-1909.

Yield in Tons.

Average

1912.

New York

1.22
1.32
1.34

1.55
1.38
1.56
1.35
1.38
1.44
2.11

1.25

1.43

1.33

OTHKR STATES.

1.40

Ohio

1.3S

Wisconsin

1.60
1.30

Indiana

United States

1.37
1.47

OEEGON

2.20

FIELD PEAS.

Largest Producers.

Yield in Bushels.
1909

Value Per

Bushel

1909.

Michigan

Wisconsin

Colorado

OTHER STATES.

12.24

16.2

10.65

4.5
6.74

17.84
4.74
9.41
5.46

21.4

1.15
1.41
1.63

1.48

1.51

New York

1.64
1.C4

Ohio

1.74

United States

l.SO

OREGON

1.71

OATS.

Largest Producers.

Iowa._

Illinois

Minnesota

OTHER STATES

Nebraska

Kansas

Missouri

Michigan

Indiana

United States

OREGON

Yield in Bushels

Value per Bushel

per Acre Average

10 Years Average

1900-1909.

1900-1909.

29.5

$0.30

31.2

0.34

31.7

0.31

26.4

0.30

24.4

0.35

23.4

0.35

31.6

0.37

29.0

0.34

29.5

0.355

so.o

0.44

OREGON LEADS IN HOP PRODUCTION.

(From U. S. Census).

State.

Total Production
1909.

Oregon

California

16,582,562 pounds.
11,994,953
8,667,138

3,432,504

13,290

All other States

18,301

Total United States

40,718,748

OREGON FARMER

55

g

n

OQ

o
o

Q
h3

IH

Em
1^

o

h
W p

<J

H
(4
O

Q

iz;

<

o

M

O

0

Q

O

01

O
H

1-1 00 oc oo S ^

c^o oo

40W

^c» r-tr «r:

c* CO 22^

tc U5 c «o

ooo t>o

into ecO 2S
^a» oor* og

,-^'o ^co wc^

^o «>co ^25

CM «0 -^ t^ CM CO

c^?i oxs ec*

ccoo c^"^ ^l*^

r^ cars o-^

O ^

O*?^ O'-^ OS-*

0*1^* C1C<I lOkO

00^ ^*^ ^^^

otu? ot- sz;

•3 3g

c^^^^ oo Qcco
M-^ o?p J2S

^ Ca CO CO ^

c^ -1 ca so-^

c3 c3

2=:

0) c3

fl.2

OS t£

« S2 -:=

6^ i2a S(5 5

osr^ ^ t

coco

ccc* oo»{2

^^ «-«c^

^x> o^ ^.oo o

c*co or-

coo oo «-< 40 1-*

-»*« CO O 00 O'^

cj o 0*0 t^ oo

2° a a

?; a « Si

6i

3-2 §a

56

OREGON FARMER

U

09
CO

O
f4
O

c
p. 2
■J ■*^

W fcr

o g

o a

O (»

h-l <u

H 'C
Q ^

c.
H I.

o

h-l

Q
<
H
H?

to

H

iz;

&
O

(33

C*5

^ri4

.o

0

M

p)

1

00

u«

I .

<a

1

» gS.

? e«c

5 Sco-<

. Jga

cl-

_»O0(

gq.o 1 g^.S 1 gSS 1 g-SS

c

H *iOt-

QeTt-

- ■5'*t

Mo'u-

pg-

sim'cv

•^criy-

*i-<— ■ 0 — —

m-^CS

OOOS^H

Cooo

) coc

< i-oc^

1 03c^C

0 ^

OC-1

a

0

^

5«o

eS

s —

< 5 «=

h4

j3

»

0

e3

0

m

w

Q

'^

P3

m

"3

0

c3

o

<M

_t~.

r-

^

3:

^

OS

tn

^iA

esS

O

' l^l

oJO

000 1 _ior~ 1 J= — oc 1 0 1

gooc

? fen"

5 ojc^.a

5 r;<oe-

5 ■Sm'«

^ (f ^^

CM««

> _«cc_t^ 1 (o-<i't^ 1 i:coM 1 tijor- 1 m*-*!

o>

OOr-

J ,a!'*C

ooTcv

Or,c

S^-

a-<-

.S rvi ^

a"-
5

— ^' •^

' S-^^

01'^

> QIC T

M

< —CO

■ 1

a-

p

(2-

s

03
I-)

CO

OcZ

to

CO

CO

^

CO

»^

_ 0

11-

-^

< got-
• SooV

0

?-«»co 1 H u^C^ 1 -^ 1

00

1 QcTo

■1 COVO

s 0 0-. c

0

ook

25.6

1.0

008

3,4
1.2

kam
2.9
1.8

Iheu
3.4
1.4

•ant
6.3
1.0

J»

CO

0--

. u-'-

0'^

0

0

0

OS

0

u?

CO

«o

c*

o

Is

IM

■♦

00

0

10

J3to

cgc^

_-*

1.00M — •<), M

t.

5 +^^1^-

s H=^o<
> Oooo

i 02:2

1 g<NO(

OOOC

3 g co_r~ £ — "3 lajoot-. a-vo B'--^
) .pcort" 1 Oti<"n I oc^^ 1 .0..)."— 1 Or-T-i'l

)

• 1^^

' ;§^=

> .- 1^

a

P

C
P

'^^

. I^c^r,

1

C3

"a

A
^

CO

c&

o

to

^

1^

jaS?

«

^

e*i

0

§s?

> a^.o

>,£»

Mt^ l_Scooo 1 r~oo 1 0 1

^5a

oooc

0 -'■

! ■5°.'^ 1 j,;'".'^ 1 =".'». 1 •«=1'>! 1 ^^.«l

e

= »«

> 5co a

iao-.c

CM-

> -^t--. =M-

*iiM

o»„

gC"-

■K?§c^

oaic

S"'

03 "22

a^

0

Oi

g

fl,CO

o'"

3"^"

^i»t>

OS

ca

t^

a
p

6

0

00

CO

w»

(M

50

^'°

CO

to

iO

^ lO

U5

S-*

M<

0

03 c^ C

CO

OS

^ c^

j

OMC

.•=Sc

> o<»c

> ©OOt

£".«

a"5C-

^— .<=

&="=

O^"."

■S"i"*

|S-

Soon

m

m'^'^

J3 -Q,

m*^"^

HOC

^Tl< —

Oeoc

ooe^

f3 t* —

2""-

^2"-'

1"-

rttOCN

sjt-c-

J^ CS C

03"^

6

)

^"

>-!"'■

0

>A

OS

3

O

0

"3

.Soooe

ss

C^

■Ss

— 00

•s§

C<=

_dS

Is

J3.

0

•*

£oc«

gtoc

Oim'u-

Is-

»c=ev

'.So-

~Q0-«

ti=o.«
etc 1-

0— .Cv

.S"5^

flt^ Cv

Cto —
~oooc

.xc^

CSM

a

03

><

3 '^

O

§"

3

C3

1-3

a
p

15

3

O

s

^

S

a°c

■Soqc

03 <M

■&0-

lie

_SM>e

gl-

a«=

aw"

cc

,OtVoc

C iM a

o cT-*

0 Oi ^

C-^-ot

*i-«"*-,l

b£io-

•c2^

03

03 — c.

.SSc?

.-00 a

.-CJOC

cioo

o3>o

^ ^^

13 "^

a
p

0
Q

J

Ed

5=

^

^

0

« c<i

CO

«

•<j<

CO

^10

H

«

Is

M

00

.sii

cSr-

||:

J=i^-"=^

3m-
£0

fe° =

C^-"

cS'*

&-0

M

l^i's

•2a=

.55:-

QM-

Oca-

a
P

cm-

Eg-

CO

JjTO

fl3»o ^

CO

03'^

1-1

S

15"

03
S

^

^

33 -^

■*

2n

.[.00c

s

^S

8

«f^

aS

s

8

=:«(N

a^«

r3t-._c

go>a

a)t~-.c

gooc

&n=

fe"."

_2ocs

©*^^

■^ wf ,—

.2^V

"5 00 a

cS(M"es

•^s-

olt-" —

ONe<

ja-H-.

ci!ccq

l-USC

03 c^"

^S"

55 = ?
Sco-

C3«

-a —

C3"^

C3<0

5"

"3

h^

0

r

►:)

s,

d

1
0

^

g

6

0

J!

a

(5

ff

ffi

ffi

i

a
2

32

13

■5^

■2?)

"J

11

>

a .

5

c

ill

c
c

"3 B

■1?

§1^

si's 0

0 2-^

> o~

III

55«

^

ff

(£

tr

a

<

0

0

H

H

&

1

OREGON FARMER

57

AVERAGE FARM ACREAGE, PRICE, YIELD AND VALUE OF EACH OF

THE CHIEF FIELD CROPS IN THE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF

OREGON— AS GROWN ON REPRESENTATIVE FARMS

IN 1911.

From Agricultural Survey.

Note: In all these tables the size of the farm acreage indicates to
a considerable extent the relative importance of the crop in the different
regions.

WINTER WHEAT.

Division.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Acreage.

No.

Reports.

Ave.
Price.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Yield.

No.
Reports.

Ave

Value per

Acre.

4
247
20
103
40
22

4

26
20
377
63
63

2
167
13
87
24
16

$1.00
.84
1.17
.73
.75
.97

3
236
18
98
30
17

31
26
22
29
27
21

2
104

9
53

2
13

$28.00
21.00
23.00
12.00
27.00
25.00

Willamette Valley
Southern Oregon .
Columbia Basin. .
Blue Mountain.. .
Central Oregon. . .

Stat« Average

96

JO. 86

26

$20.00

The winter wheat, the leading grain crop of the state, is grown
largely (See above table) in the Columbia Basin and Central
Oregon and Blue Mountain regions under the dry farming systems,
as shoAvn by the size of the average individual farm acreage. The
best common varieties are the Turkey Red, Forty-Fold, on the lighter
soils and dryer areas, and Red Chaff and Dale's Gloria, on the heavier
and moister areas. The range in dry farming yields in the different
parts of these regions is from 10 bushels to 50 bushels per acre, Avith the
land "summer fallowed" alternate years. The seeding rate is 45
pounds to the acre, except in Central Oregon, where 20 pounds is
the prevailing rate. Wheat growing in Western Oregon is on the
decline, giving place to barley and oats and more intensive crops.

SPRING WHEAT.

Division.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Acreage.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Price.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Yield.

No.
Reports.

Ave

Value per
Acre.

Coast

12
126
7
35
94
51

4
15
23
128
41
38

3
93

5
20
99
43

$1.00
.77
1.08
.72
.85
.95

5
122

6
23
32
47

31
26
23
21
26
29

3
68

1
14

6
32

$32 00
20.00
36.00
20.00
33 00
25.00

Willamette Valley
Southern Oreson.
Columbia Basin..
Blue Mountain ..
Central Oregon., .

State Average ....

'"39 ^

$0.86

*27i

$23.00

Spring wheat is also grown largely in Eastern Oregon, but in not
nearly so large acreages as winter wheat. It is sown on such land as
cannot be seeded in the fall. It is giving way to other spring-sown
crops such as emmer, field peas, etc. Blue-stem is the best common
variety.

58

OREGON FARMER
OATS.

Division.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Acreage.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Price.

No.
Reirarts.

Ave.
Yield.

No.
Reports.

Ave

Value per

Acre.

Coast

22
340
63
44
61
28

11
37
18
45
35
29

17
214
2S
14
37
19

tO.36
.41
.67
.64
.65
.68

21

278
62
28
50
26

46
40
37
42
53
33

14

107
8
6
16
9

$24.00

Willametto Valley
Southern Oregon.
Columbia Basin. .
Blue Mountain.. .
Central Oregon...

17.00
18.00
13.00
30.00
18.00

Stat<> Average

31

J0.51

42

18 00

The production of oats is increasing in amount and >'ield as better
rotations and varieties are used, the bulk of the crop being gro^^^l in
the Willamette Valley and considerable amounts in irrigated sections
of Eastern Oregon. (See above table). Oat prices are always
very good. The best common varieties are Swedish Select, Silver-
mine, Improved American, Shadeland Climax, and on the dry
lands, Sixty-Day.

BARLEY.

Division.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Acreage.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Price.

No.
Reporta.

Ave.
Yield.

No. Ave
Reports. Value per
Acre.

Coast

WUlamette Valley
Southern Oregon.
Columbia Basin. .
Blue Mountain.. .
Central Oregon. . .

11
50
20
45
45
55

3
12

7

73
35
37

2
22

4
17
32
44

$0.78
.76
.78
.66
.90
.84

1
48
17
28
39
60

60
40
37
33
39
31

1 $25.00
18 36.00
3 24.00
7 20.00
9 27.00
36 28.00

State Average

28

$0.78

1 46

27.00

Nearly all the barley is groAvn in Eastern Oregon on both dry
farming and irrigated lands. (See above table). The demand
for both brewing and feed barley is excellent. Much improved
varieties are being introduced of late. The crop gives very large
jaelds in Western Oregon w^here good rotations are used. The best
varieties are the Swan Neck and Hannchen for dry farms and the
Wisconsin Pedigreed elsewhere.

POTATOES

Division.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Acreage.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Price.

No.
Reporta.

Ave.
Yield.

No.
Reporta.

Av.

Value per
Acre.

Coast

100
370
77
68
29
81

2
3
2

\

3

48
276
26
8
24
66

$0.86

.85

.97

1.03

1.11

.82

70
208
13
31
16
66

194
156
262
146
127
196

19
123

2
10

7
43

$116.00

Willamette Valley
Southern Oregon.
Columbia Basin..
Blue Mountain.. .
Central Oregon.. .

152.05
287.00
203.00
104 00
141.00

State Average

3 1

$0.92

175

$148.00

The Willamette Valley produces the bulk of the potato crop on its
sandy river loams or rich red hill lands. (See above table).
There is a considerable amount produced in the irrigated sections of
Eastern Oregon. Probably the potatoes of the finest quality and

OREGON FARMER

59

flavor are grown on the dry farming lands. The market is nearly
always good, 1912 being an "off" year for Oregon as well as the rest
of the United States. Yields are very high where good methods are
used. The best common varieties are the American Wonder and the
Burbank.

ALFALFA.

Division.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Acreage.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Price.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Yield.

No.
Reports.

Ave

Value per

Acre.

Coast

Willamette Valley
Southern OreRon.
Coluaibia Basin..
Blue Mountain.. .
Central Oregon. . .

357
148
204
112

183

11
17
33
59
59

31
116

87
105

98

$ 9.00
13.50
9.50
7.50
8.00

15
50
55
64
73

3.1
3.8
4.0
2.8
2.5

23
110

81
90

82

$33 00
50.00
44.00
24.00
26.00

State Average

35

J9.50 1 3.5 1

$35 00

Alfalfa is grown practically altogether in Eastern Oregon on irri-
gated lands. (See above table). On the Coast a few exi^eri-
mental acres are growm and in the Willamette Valley a number of
small plantings are doing well under intensive management as a
soiling (green feeding) crop for the dairy cows during the summer
months. In Southern Oregon the crop does well under irrigation
without special treatment. Northeast Malheur County on the
Snake River is the heaviest yielding alfalfa section in the state.
Alfalfa has been grown very successfully on the dry farms in rows
for seed, and this use of the crop is spreading as such seed is of the
highest quality.

CLOVER.

Division.

No.
Ref)orts.

Ave.
Acreage.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Price.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Yield.

No.
Reports.

Ave

Value per

Acre.

Coast .

16
17
5
26
42
61

130

190

19

5

6

24

$ 9.60
9.00
12.00
17.00
9.00
12.50

25
87
5
2

,5

2.90
2.60
2.80
3.30
2.40
1.90

109
174
18
5
5
20

$34.00

Willamette Valley
Southern Oregon.
Columbia Ba«in..
Blue Mountain.. .
Central Oregon.. .

13
24
50
34

68

18.00
27.00
54.00
15.00
19.00

State Average

22

$10 50

2.60

$22.00

Clover is the great Willamette Valley hay and seed crop. (See
above table). Much is grown on the Central Oregon irrigated
lands. High yielding both as hay and seed crop and very valuable as
hay, pasture, soiling, seed and fertility-restoring crop, no country
anywhere, excells Oregon in clover growing and few equal her. Four
tons per acre is not an uncommon yield. The common or medium
red clover is the chief variety, although a great deal of alsikc is grown
on the wetter lands. These two are grown both for seed and hay and
soiling purposes — the seed crops being especially profitable. Yields
of six or seven bushels of red clover seed per acre are frequent. White
clover is in the pastures everywhere and crimson clover is grown as a
winter cover and green manuring crop.

60

OREGON FARMER
TIMOTHY.

No.

Ave.

No.

Ave.

No.

Ave.

No.

Ave.

Division.

Reports.

Acreage.

Reports.

Price.

Reports.

Yield.

Reports.

Value per
Acre.

Coast

8

15

2

$10.00

6

2.8

2

S25.00

Willamette Valley

53

19

25

13.13

48

2.8

11

20.00

Southern Oregon.

9

14

4

13.75

9

1.9

3

31.00

Columbia Basin . .

11

48

4

12.67

7

2.6

1

15.00

Blue Mountain.. .

26

67

20

9.87

25

2.1

12

18.00

Central Oregon. . .

13

72

11

9.68

13

1.8

12

20.00

State Average

38

$11.67

2.2

$21.00

The Blue Mountain region under irrigation produces the largest
amounts and finest quality of timothy alone and considerable amounts
of timothy and clover mixed. The Willamette Valley leads in the
production of the latter, however. This is another hay crop
which yields exceptionally well, especially under irrigation. Timothy
seed is also a profitable Oregon crop.

GRAIN HAY.

No.

Ave.

No.

Ave.

No.

Ave.

No.

Ave.

Division.

Reports.

Acreage.

Reports.

Price.

Reports.

Yield.

Reports.

Value per
Acre.

Coast

81

12

25

$10.06

75

4.0

20

$50.00

Willamette Valley

95

12

46

10.20

91

1.8

40

17.00

Southern Oregon .

80

7

34

13.73

78

1.9

17

28.00

Columbia Basin. .

120

48

38

11.25

75

1.6

33

17.00

Blue Mountain.. .

38

29

10

8.62

29

2.3

6

17.00

Central Oregon. . .

113

43

79

10.57

102

1.3

87

15.00

State Average. . . .

25

$10.71

2.0

$22.00

In the dry farming sections of Eastern Oregon, grain cut green for
hay is the most common hay used and probably the best under
those conditions for several reasons. In Western Oregon where
most of this crop is cut, there is little excuse for the practice and it
is diminishing in favor of the superior vetch or clover. Grain hay is
used largely at home, on the farm, not marketed. A common mis-
take in Oregon is to cut grain hay too ripe to get the best quality.

WILD HAY.

Division.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Acreage.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Price.

No.
Reports.

Ave.
Yield.

No.
Reports.

Ave.

Value per

Acre.

Coast

Willamette Valley
Southern Oregon.
Columbia Basin. .

23
26
13
2
43
40

13
13
27
80
216
181

12
4
5
1
22
27

$ 6.50
8.25
14.00
6.00
8.80
8.21

23

23

13

2

38
35

2.3
1.3
1.8
2.9..

12
2
4

$10.00
17.00
23.00

Blue Mountain.. .
Central Oregon.. .

1.8
1.2

15
36

12.00
10.00

State Average ....

53

$8.30

1.8

$14 00

OREGON FARMER

61

This is still an important crop in the Central Oregon and Blue
Mountain meadows where the ^^■inter overflow of streams is utilized
and where careful irrigation system.s have not yet been developed —
where rail transportation is not available and cattle are the chief
product. (See table, page 60). This mountain valley ^vild hay
is generally of excellent quality and cheaply produced, but in time it
will give way to the higher jdelding and better alfalfa, as better
irrigation systems are developed.

MISCELLANEOUS CROPS.
Grown Only in Certain Regions.

Division.

Average

Acres per

Farm.

Coast Region —

Kale

Vetch

Willamette Valley-
Kale

Vetch

Corn

Clover Seed

Southern Oregon —

Vetch

Corn

Columbia Basin —

Corn

Blue Mountain Region —

Alfalfa Seed

Rye

Central Oregon —

Alfalfa Seed

Rye

20

Average Price.

$ 2.50 per Ton.
8.50 per Ton.

2.50 per Ton.
9.50 per Ton.

.84 per Bu.

.15 per Lb.

12.00 per Ton.
.59 per Bu.

.60per Bu.

.14 per Lb.
.93perBu.

.14 per Lb.
.93 perBu.

Average

Yield
Per Acre.

Average

Value
Per Acre.

31 Tons.
4 Tons.

$87.00
22.00

25 Tons.
3 Tons.
28 Bu.
303 Lbs.

53.00
22.00
27.00
31.00

2 Tons.
27 Bu.

16.00
28.00

25 Bu.

25.00

150 Lbs.
16 Bu.

20.00

310 Lbs.
14 Bu.

40.00
16.00

•Note: — This yield is below the average of the region.

The crops recorded in this table are grown extensively only in the
regions shown, yet are some of the most valuable the state produces.
The Thousand-Headed Kale and Smooth Vetch especially are crops
pecuhar to Oregon and httle grown elsewhere, while the clover seed
and alfalfa seed are two of the most valuable cash crops of the state.

Field Crops Adapted to Different Districts.

1. For Humid Districts — Coast, Willamette Valley and Southern
Oregon.

A. For Dairy Cows.

Vetch for hay, green feed or silage.
Clover for hay, green feed or .silage.

Alfalfa for hay Southern Oregon, or green feed Willamette Valley
and Southern Oregon.
Field peas for hay or green feed.
Kale for winter or summer green feed.
Corn for green feed and silage.
Mangels and turnips for winter green feed.
Field squash for green feed.
Oats and barley for grain feed.

62 OREGON FARMER

Rye, oats, barley and wheat in mixtures with vetch for hay or green
feed.

Grasses of all kinds and white clover for pasture.

B. For Hogs, Sheep and Poultry.

All those crops named above for hay, soiling or grain, and in
addition, rape, artichokes and emmer.

C. For Cash Field Crops.

Clover seed, vetch seed, grass seeds, field pea seed, and field beans,
except on the coast.
Potatoes and all other grains and hays, except alfalfa on the coast.

2. For the Irrigated Districts — Eastern Oregon.

All the same crops as those named for the humid districts except
kale as fall feed only and excepting smooth vetch, field beans and
clover seed.

3. For the Dry Farming Districts — Eastern Oregon.

All the crops named for the humid districts but kale only as a fall
feed, no vetch, no field beans, no clover and no mangels. Under the
dry farming conditions alfalfa and field peas are grown in cultivated
rows largely for seed or hog pasture, and field corn for "hogging off,"
and flax for seed, white turnips and field squash are little grown.
The small grains are the major crops, among which the emmer is dis-
placing the oats, while the hardier sorghums are developing as fodder
crops.

Field Crops Not Grown in Oregon.

There are few field crops that are not successfully produced in
Oregon. In Western Oregon, flax for fibre of unusual quality and in
Eastern Oregon first class sugar beets have been grown, but both of
these crops require an abundant supply of cheap labor not found here
as yet. Cow peas are not grown successfully but field peas are one of
the very best of Oregon crops. Soy beans are just beginning to be
grown but are not fully adapted as yet to Oregon conditions. Field
beans are raised very profitably in the Southern Oregon section.
Corn, especially for green feed, silage and "hogging off," is in recent
years grown very profitably, but since most of the crop is utilized in
these forms instead of in the ear, the tables of production do not show
the importance of the crop.

Rotations and Cropping Systems for Oregon.

All the essential legumes, cultivated crops, cover crops, green
manures, catch crops, nurse crops, etc., required to form rotations
adapted to every purpose and to every soil and climatic condition
in the state, — are available to Oregon. The best of rotations for
maintaining fertility are possible in every section and Oregon soils,
still with a wealth of natural fertility, respond quickly to good
rotations. Such soils as have been cropped continuously for many
years show the abuse only in a decreased humus content and un-
desirable physical condition, both of which are quickly restored by
the use of a good rotaion. Practically no commercial fertilizers are

OREGON FARMER 63

required and this is of special importance to the general farmer who
cannot afford costly fertilizers. Phosphorus, the plant food element
which must generally first be replaced through commercial fertihza-
tion, is unusually abundant in most Oregon soils. Lime, which plays
an important part in f ertiUty, is abundant in all Eastern Oregon soils,
but in Western Oregon — as in nearly all humid soils — is scanty.
But large lime deposits are available for correcting this deficiency.

Cropping systems for suppljdng green feed for dairy cows con-
tinuously throughout the year are one of the unique features of the
Western Oregon dairy farm. On the higher priced lands closer in,
such a system permits very intensive dairying, maintaining a cow to
every acre where the system is fully developed, and steadily increasing
fertility. Under favorable conditions it requires only four crops —
smooth vetch, alfalfa, corn and kale — to furnish such continuous
green feed.

Rotations or cropping systems for hogs, which carry the animals
from farroT^ing through the finishing period without leaving the
pasture until they go to m.arket, are possible both in Western and
Eastern Oregon — the "hogging off" of vetch, clover, alfalfa, field
peas, rape, artichokes and corn being very profitably practiced.
Similar rotations for sheep and poultry permit handling all of these
animals on a like intensive scale. The irrigated areas as well as the
dry farming lands have available such cropping systems and fertility
rotations as fit their special requirements.

For the farmer who wishes to grow field crops only (and this is
most attractive of all types of farming for the man of small capital
who must have immediate returns) the list of cash crops successfully
grown in Oregon is unusually good. No better crops than clover
seed, vetch seed, grass seeds, field pea seed, field beans, alfalfa seed or
potatoes can be found either for profits or fertiUty.

Note the map indicating the six great geographical sub-
divisions of the State. This is something like dividing
animals into general families ; the cat family, the dog fam-
ily, the horse family, etc. : There is still a big difference
between the lion and a house-cat, and you must not expect
uniform conditions throughout the whole of any of these
great subdivisions of our State. For detailed descriptions
of each section in each County, consult the Oregon Almanac.

The disappointed homeseeker is worse than a poor adver-
tisement. He discourages his neighbors and scatters seeds
of failure. The State of Oregon does not wish to bring peo-
ple here only to disappoint them. We want everybody to
know the facts and prefer to under-state rather than to
over-state.

64

OREGON FARMER

WIDE VARIATION OF RAINFALL.

In the thickly populated interior valleys of Western Oregon, the precipitation is about
the same as in the Atlantic and Central states (New York, 44.8; Chicago, 33.4; Des
Moines, 32.4).

In Eastern and Central Oregon the rainfall is about the same as in Colorado, Montana,
Utah, Western Texas and the Coast counties of Southern California. (Denver, 13.7; Salt
Lake City, 15.8).

OREGON FARMER 65

THE CLIMATE OF OREGON.

By W. L. Powers,
Assistant Professor of Irrigation and drainage.

/WMONG the factors influencing the agriculture and healthfulness
fi^ of a state none is more important than chmate. The determining
factors of a climate in Oregon are chiefly the altitude, nearness to
the ocean, prevailing Avinds, and movements of general storm areas.
The wide variations of these conditions in Oregon cause a great
diversity of climate and makes possible the production of practically
everjrthing grown outside the tropics.

General Topographic and Climatic Conditions.

The chief topographic features of the state are portrayed by the
accompanying rainfall chart of the Weather Bureau, page 64, and
the topographic map, which we are permitted to reproduce
thru the courtesy of our District Forecaster, E. A. Beals, of Portland
(Enclosed). The natural drainage for most parts of the state is
northerly into the Columbia or else westward into the ocean. The
lofty snowcapped Cascade Range, 5,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation
divides the state north and south and serves as a natural barrier in
wMnter between the warm air of the western valleys and the cool air
of the plateaus to the east. East of this range the climate is con-
tinental in character and is semi-arid \\4th large daily range of tem-
perature, cool nights and a preponderance of clear days. The climate
of Western Oregon is characterized by its mild moist winter season
and bright mild summers with a remarkably long growing season.
The Cascade and Coast Ranges cause heavy precipitation in winter
from the moist \\inds and storm areas which blow prevailingly from
the southwest off of the ocean.

The mean annual rainfall from stations of the United States
Weather Bureau with records over 10 years in length is shown on the
topographic map. In general the rainfall decreases from northwest
to southeast across the state and increases on the landward slopes
of all mountains. The range is from 132 inches at Glenora on the
coast mountains in the northwest part of the state to 10 inches at
Vale in Malheur, the southeastern county. The mean rainfall of the
valleys in Western Oregon is similar to that of New York; while
that of Eastern Oregon is about the same as Denver and Boise.

The main distinguishing feature of the temperature of the state is
the cool nights of summer which insures complete rest after hard
labor. The mean temperature varies with altitude and distance
inland. In the agricultural valleys in Western Oregon and below
2,000 feet elevation the mean temperature is about 52 degrees, which
is the same as at Bloomington, 111., and Columbus, Ohio. The mean
temperature of Eastern Oregon ranges from 56 degrees along the
Columbia to 44 degrees in Southeastern Oregon.

Most parts of the state are free from high winds. The absolute max-
imum velocity recorded is 55 miles per hour. The hea\^ winter
rainfall of western sections of the state is well distributed, the greater

66

OREGON FARMER

O
»
O

P^
O

<1

H
<!
Q

h^
<J

o
o

o

<

O

o

IZi

o

^ .-s

■S ft

'^ 1

to e€

c3

o -o

-o

03

O 5

W 4^

o o

'^ &

•p ft

«J 03

a>

M

e3

n

— *i O I

o« — O

IC CC t^ CO

4«CO'* o
-^ C^ CO iO

■*iO

1 CON 1

1

escc-o

o

»-l c^

CO OOtJC ■<»«ost^co
C30 »— t^ C^ CO »0

CO o oo e»5 c; c; o

»-< C-l •-• tC M CO W3

I II I I I I

^H T? C-» CI CO CJ lO

1 eo-^ U3

CD »-<

iO ^ C) O ^ CO

I I ^H « -^ QOI^CDOO

U5 ■* »0 IOCS <M i-t ^^ -^ M CO 'd*

-24.
5-7.
8-2.6
-42

o

o

•«1<IMOCO

o

eoooo

inu5

T

o

7

r-t OO C0CC»-^O
CO O O t^^^ Ci'^

»-< C^ iC^

1 oo lO CO i-^ ■«*

^00 WD^OO

oo »o oo t-^ oo o oo

CO ■^COO'«*< -^

Oi CD 1-1 CO Oi O

4.i

OS CO O <M 00 OS -^
OO 1-H40 U5eO«D'^

■^ oco coot* »o

I II I I I J
o lo c^i *— t* kjf^ o

I O C^ C4 CO -*J<

i-t *C COCO Tt«

1-1 .-« CO CD CN

t^CC Csl o

C>« ^Hl^

. t^ ^** oo

-«*( CO lO CO

r^cD ■^ CO ooo

CO »-' »o

M O

-P HH

-<5

^"3 bicS^
■ 1 3 a S &P

P5 < CB M X >
fri H

o

I ai-i^

"<(»-r to

>

-pa

§^
oZ

'M

■ O

if^SǤ9 3?:-;

. The
moven
oat dat
n only
avorabl
den or

= .S & 3 =

> ^ «^i s

= |SS.^£

■E £ 3 = =^ O

n the
and
wate
re oft
(I few
lative

a >■? T. 0 ^

^.•= &|- 2

S:H"ca==

si°^i|

2?=-&o

"0 C o •::7*'

3 «>'5 ..£"7;
cj > oi o ®

►S !. » 3 lu

Tatoosh
ture, fai
the cons
r incomi
•ed with
mperatu

c fe oj: 3*^

B

g

H 2 o > ■

O

o g o p.fl S

15^:5 ill

O j_.^ P S o B
— ~ C 3" !^ 3 ■^

c u L- «.^ o a

£ 3 S 3 O £ ^

u. s'3'3 c s >

OJ o o ^ S>~ <B

U C3^-- t£ o 3

O » C 3 S,2 B

j; j: .^ ^ C.IC a
^a3g.Sa^

O— c S-.Q C3

^■? 5 b = 1 £

Sx: =) " c! a 3

SIT - o a 01 '0

3-0 - o 3^-- E
>0 .tf u u £ h

.iw- 03 o » " »

-5 S o 3 c g £

s! £ &CO e3 fc•-
4, (» =3 S a"~t;
^tCl- g c = °
c_i:3 _ M C o aa

a) .^ o
•^ Q 3

.=-, o ■£ a S
SE«S^

OREGON FARMER 67

part falling at night, so that disastrous floods are practically unknown.
The weather records show but one severe wind, and few injurious
hail-storms, which were of a local character. The state is free from
tornadoes, earthquakes and electric storms.

The yearly average number of thunder storms is 8 for Eastern Oregon
and 3 for Western Oregon. They usually consist of but two or three
flashes and are observed in mountainous districts. Data in the
accompanying table is arranged to show the average and range of
climatic conditions for the 6 chief sections of the state (page 66).

The Coast Region.

The Coast Range has an average altitude of 2,000 feet and parallels
the sea at a distance of 30 to 40 miles separating the humid coast
region from the semi-humid valleys to the east. The agricultural
districts of the coastal plain vary in elevation from near sea level to
1,500-2,000 feet. The annual rainfall averages some 77 inches and
varies with altitude.

It reaches a maximum at Glenora of 132 inches and a secondary
maximum of 83 inches in the southwest coast hills. There is a high
relative humidity and fogs are frequent and the grass is green through-
out the year. The chief characteristics of the climate is the strildngly
uniform temperature which permits a remarkably long growing
season, averaging 265 days, or about 8 months. The season is longest
near the shore and decreases with altitude. The temperature along
the coast has never been higher than 97 degrees or lower than 10
degrees above zero. The mean July temperature, 65 degrees, is
about the same as at Duluth, Toronto and Montpelier. The mean
January temperature, 40 degrees, is the same as that of Vicksburg and
Montgomery. There is no snow except on the hills and that goes ofif
in a day or two except on the highest peaks.

The Willamette Valley.

Between the Coast and Cascade Ranges lies the great valley of
the Willamette which flows north emptying into the Columbia near
Portland and has a drainage area of 12,000 square miles. The mean
elevation of the floor of this valley is about 200 feet, ranging from 57
feet at Portland to 450 feet at Eugene. Rainfall averages about 42
inches, similar to that of Springfield, Missouri, and Indianapolis,
Indiana. Rainfall decreases slightly as we go up the floor of the
valley and increases rapidly going up the mountain slopes to the east.
The winter rain is of sufficient abundance to more than saturate the
deep soil. There is a few inches of snow some winters but it melts
away in a day or two. The growing season is remarkably long,
averaging 210 days. The minimum January temperature is similar
to that of Chattanooga, Tenn., Lynchburg, Va., or New Haven, Conn.
The absolute range of mean temperatue for July is 8 degrees, while for
Iowa this is 13 degrees. The average annual number of days above
90 degrees is 8 and below 32 degrees is 15. There is about the same
percentage of sunshine as in New York state. The climate is moist

68 OREGON FARMER

and mild in winter and cool in summer, but is a little more seasonal
than on the coast.

Southern Oregon.

Irregular offshoots and spurs of the Coast and Cascade Ranges
spread out in the southwestern part of the state, forming a more
elevated undulating section with somewhat less humid and more
sunny climate. The rainfall averages about 30 inches and runs from
35 at Roseburg to 21 at Ashland. About 2 inches falls during the
three summer months. There is an average of about 185 days betv/een
killing frosts, being similar to that of Central Illinois. The length of
season depends on the altitude and the natural air drainage, and
ranges from 150 to 200 days. The mean temperature for January
is about 40 degrees and for July about 60 degrees. There are 16
days in a year when the temperature rises above 90 degrees and 50
days when if falls below 32 degrees. The climate is somewhat more
seasonal than for the Willamette Valley but it is free from extremes
of any kind. The winters here are mild and the summer nights cool.

Columbia Basin.

East of the Cascades is the Columbia River Basin, 50 to 75 miles
wide and about 150 miles long. It has a mean elevation of about
1,000 feet and a general northernly dip towards the river. Here the
climate is dry and sunny. The relative humidity is low and evapora-
tion from a water surface is high. The annual rainfall for the district
averages some 14 inches ranging from about 10 inches near the river on
the Umatilla irrigation proj ect to 24 inches at Weston. Rainfall increases
with altitude and distance from the river. While the heaviest rains
are in winter there is a secondary maximum in May and June.
In the foothill districts these early summer rains come as torrential
showers. The mean annual temperature near the river reaches 56
degrees, the highest for the state. It decreases with altitude to 47
degrees in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. There is a very long
growing season along the Columbia, averaging about 200 days. The
average for the district is about 157 days, corresponding to that of
southern Wisconsin. Strong breezes are common along the ri^■er but
decrease upon going back from the river and to higher altitudes. The
nights are cool, the days clear and the air fresh and invigorating.
Blue Mountain District.

In Northeastern Oregon is situated the high irregular range of the
Blue Mountains, between the various groups of which very productive
elevated valleys are situated. These and the other scattering
mountains of Eastern Oregon cause precipitation of the limited supply
of moisture which escapes the Coast and Cascade Ranges. The
rainfall ranges from 12 to 23 inches and averages about 16 inches
annually The growing season ranges from 100 to 150 days, averaging
about 140 days in the valleys and decreasing Avith the altitude. There
are many sheltered valleys where the season permits commercial
fruit growing. The mean summer temperature corresponds to
central Wisconsin and that of winter is similar to northern Iowa.

OREGON FARMER

69

s

■fc ^ k5 '^^

^ s

o CO r^

\fl v>

■* 'l>) "(M

'- b

1—

z

(D

U
Q

1

<

-J

5^
i?

^^

>]

I

1-

u Z

d O

^ 2

_J
_l

a
o
o

■030
MO,V

-:;r>o

■9/7 f

■7nr

Ai'iv
■&^v

■03a

AO^
UOO

rnr
tjor
Ab-A/
■HdV
hVW
9SJ
NVr

030
AO/V
J.JO

■^nf
mr
Nnr
aVw
Udi/

ovw
ejy
fjyr

■030
AOfJ

uoo

ld3^
vnt/

wnr
AWV

adv
avhJ

B3J

NVr

03C7
AOV

ujo

X<f3P

■ontr
■mn
Nnn

AWtv
VdV

■g3j

r'

1 ■/It/ZV

_ J JO

r^

1 li^.?

r

|_ mr

1 ^v'-^

1 A^^-

»«?

1

\^

1

r D^o

1

1 ■AOA'

1 UDO

^

1 IciBS

1 one-

1 TO^

u
q:

D

b

1 A'/?/-

1 At'^'

1 foy

1 tiV>V

1 iiSJ

1

1 •.vt^/'

1 1 1

1

1 J^O

1 -lO V

1 iJO

^

1 ■irfJ'S-

<J 1 s^y

rr 1 ''"''

Ll

y
a
I

Ul

h

h
z

1 w^r

I At^/V

1 tfcyy

avw

1

1 •e'j'^

wi--/-

(

1 3^(7

1 1

1 /lev

1 1 1

1 ^^o

1

1 ^c/J'S-

>

U 1 £./7,.

•C f 7.-7/-

z

<

LiJ

2

1 •^/7/'

\

Af/V

1

1 c/t^tr

j_ _

avi^

r'

1 -^i*^

1

1 -f^vr

1 iJt?

1 1 1

1 -^o/i/

1 1 1

1 u5o

1 1 1

1 :irf^s

>

■7n/^

AVl^

' 1 1

1 i/rfb'

1 11

t/f/^

1

1 33 J

1

1 WtT-/"

1

r ojo

H -i^a 1 1

1 -/lov

1 ,W,V 1 1

i:70

1-
cx
o
a

Z

J.DO

■ony
'inn
t/nr

1 1 1

1 :/d>s

1

1 V-

1 7^/-

1 /V/7.-

1

1 AViJ

' 1 1

1 Wt/K

( 1 1

1 yvi^

UVfV 1 1 1

■gsj

\B3^ \ 1

I /Vlr/"

1 yvi^r 1 1

1

1

_

•<->

V,

S

S

S!

V

■= S

Oi C«J k

'■J "m

tj. J., f«l

'-~ o

70 OREGON FARMER

The mean annual temperature is about 48 degrees. The temperature
rises above 90 degrees about 12 different days in the year and reaches
the freezing point on about 150 days. There is more rainfall and less
sunshine than in the Columbia Basin but the temperatures average
lower at the higher altitudes and are subject to greater range.

Central Oregon.

The Central Oregon country is mainly a great elevated plain with
an average altitude of about 4,000 feet. The summer nights are
cool, the rainfall is low and the sunshine abundant. The air is fine
and the climate corrective to tuberculosis tendencies and more
invigorating than the hot semi-arid sections of the southwestern
states. On these plains the growing season is from 65 to 135 days
and the rainfall 11 to 14 inches. In the interior part of this region
are numerous lakes without any natural outlet and these modify the
temperatures of the immediately adjacent lands, so that fruit is
produced in favored spots.

The northern edge of the region is drained by the Deschutes River.
This vallej^ averages about 3,000 feet in elevation and has a growing
season of ten weeks to four months and a rainfall of about 12 inches
in the floor of the valley. Rainfall increases up stream and up the
foothills at the sides of the valley. Large areas are irrigated.

The lower irrigated valley and bench lands of northern Malheur
County have a mean elevation of about 2,200 feet and this together
with their favorable latitude causes a growing season of five to six
months, so the data in the table does not apply. The rainfall is about
10 inches.

In the southwestern part of this region the Lake district has an
altitude of about 4,100 feet. At Lakeview and Klamath Falls the
growing season is some 130 days. The rainfall at Klamath Falls is
13.5 inches, 17 inches at Lakeview and 11 inches at Burns. Large
areas tributary to these points are irrigated.

The Chief Districts Compared.

The mean monthly and yearly temperatures from selected stations
of the Weather Bureau in each of the chief geographic sections of the
state are compared graphically in the accompanying diagram (Page
69). The bars show an increase in range of temperature as we go to
the south and east to higher altitudes and to regions more distant
from the ocean.

The lower bars show the relative amount and distribution of rain-
fall for the same stations. The rainfall for La Grande is about 2.2
inches below average for the district and is misleading in that the
average rainfall for the Blue Mountain district is about 2 inches
above that of the Columbia Basin. In the western sections of the
state the bulk of the rainfall comes between October and March and
there is but light rainfall in summer, caused by the shifting of the
storm areas and areas of high pressure or clear weather. In Eastern
Oregon the maximum rainfall is in winter with a secondary- maximum
as shown for May and June.

OREGON FARMER

71

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN OREGON.

By C. I. Lewis,
Professor of Horticulture.

.ORTICULTURALLY speaking, Oregon is a state of great
diversity. Apples, pears, prunes, walnuts, Loganberries, small
fruits, and garden truck are gro\vn in great abundance. While
it is true that the apple has been advertised more than any-
other fruit in the state, nevertheless according to the latest census,
the apple is surpassed in increased production during the last decade
by the pear, prune, and cherry.

From the earhest plantings to the present time, the fruit of this
state has attracted world-Avide attention and the industry has grown
in magnitude and profit until it is now becoming one of considerable
importance, and in a few years fruit promises to become one of the
leading outputs of the state. The development of the fruit industry
in this state is due to a genial combination of climate and soil con-
ditions which insure regular heavy crops containing a large percentage
of fruit of high color, good size, and free from blemish. Such fruit
is commanding the top prices in the world's markets.

Co-operation is a great factor in Oregon fruit production. Probably
no region in the United States has had a more successful demonstra-
tion of the possibilities of co-operation in fruit production. The
opportunity for co-operation, coupled with the general personnel
of those engaged in fruit growing, are very important factors in the
development of horticulture in this state. In addition to this the
fact that horticulture has become highly specialized has given a com-
bination of producing and handling that is hard to excel.

FRUIT— STATE AVERAGE 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

364

1,658

91

380

187

l,778i

116

91i

2

2

82

126J

103

409i

23

95

31

16

7

7

3

4

5

li

2

m

Total Crop.

Per Acre.

Average
Price.

Income
Per Acre.

Apples

Pears

p— [%\T.

Cherries

Apricots

Strawberries. .

Peaches

Grapes

Raspberries. . .
Blackberries. . .
Dewberries. . . .
Gooseberries. .
Loganberries. .

256,690 bxs.
85,351 bxs.

3,967,823 lbs.

464,610 lbs.

300 bxs.

17,.?81 cfts.

116,743 bxs.

47,175 lbs.

1.078 crts.

457 crts

164iT.

155 bxs.
224 bxs.

2,231 lbs.
5,092 lbs.

150 bxs.

136 crt^.

254 bxs.

2,947 lbs.
168 crts.
114 crts

2T.

$1.62
1.17

.041

.045

1.00

1.85

.734

.05
1.64
2.00

82.45

$241.10
262.08
129.33
91.47
229.14
150.00
251.60
186.44
283 93
247.35
275.52
228.00
378.80
164.90

The Oregon apple is known the world over. Especially is this
true with such varieties as the Yellow NewtowTi, and Esopus Spitzcn-
berg. Other varieties, such as Arkansas Black, Winter Banana,
Delicious, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, Winesap, and Gravenstein, are

72 OREGON FARMER

grown commercially. Nearly every fruit valley of the state is
producing apples, it being merely a question of securing a good loca-
tion and adopting the proper varieties. There are only a relatively
small percentage of the apple trees in the state in bearing and the
next decade promises a remarkable increase in bearing trees and in
the apple output.

In pear production Oregon stands fourth in the Union in yield and
second in number of young trees. It is only a question of a short time
before this state will probably lead the Union in the production of
this fruit. The state is peculiarly fortunate in having a considerable
area of land coupled with favorable climatic conditions, making it
possible to grow this fruit. In most regions of the country pear
growing is on the decline and those regions therefore which are
specially adapted to the production of this fruit are finding it to be
very profitable. Up to the present time a large proportion of the
crop has been boxed and sent to the leading markets in this country
and in Europe. The next decade will see considerable development
in the growing of pears for canning.

Seventy-five per cent of the tart prunes that are gro^vTi in the
United States are produced in Oregon, the Itahan being the leading
variety. Some of this fruit is shipped green to eastern markets, but
the larger percentage is evaporated and sent to those portions of
the world that prefer a tart to a sweet prune. With a closer organiza-
tion of growers and a standardization of product, both of which are
being attempted, the prune industry should in the near future develop
even greater than it has in the past. This is one of the easiest tree
fruits to grow and one which adapts itself nicely to diversified farming,
the prune being on many an Oregon farm the best cash crop produced.
It also lends itself nicely to diversified horticulture, while on the
other hand some sections of the state are making prunes the special
crop.

Only two or three states in the entire Union are building up a
sweet cherry industry. As regards the excellence of the sweet cherry
produced in Oregon, it is unsurpassed by that of any region in the
United States. The Bing in Eastern Oregon, the Napoleon (Royal
Anne) along the Columbia Basin, and the Lambert in Western
Oregon, grow to perfection. These cherries grow to a very large size,
have firm flesh, and small pit, and have been shipped to Mexico City,
Liverpool, and Alaska successfully.

The sour, or pie, cherry industry as yet has not developed very
materially in this state, but it is only a question of a short time before
the industry yaW be of considerable importance. The fruit grows
very easily in practically all fruit districts of the state and canning
factories are demanding much larger quantities of this fruit than can
be supphed.

In the Loganberry we practically have a new fruit. This is a cross
between the blackberry and raspberry. Canned it is most excellent,
being splendid for pies and sauces, makes a fine jelly, and its juice by

OREGON FARMER 73

many people is thought to be superior to that of the grape. This
berry is adapted to only a few Pacific Coast localities, and.in Western
Oregon reaches its highest degree of perfection. This berry the past
few years has proved to be one of the most profitable crops grouTi in
the entire state of Oregon. With proper organization of growers and
distribution it will mean millions annually to the state. It is a crop
which can be combined very nicely with prune production, as it can
be easily evaporated in the same buildings that are used for the drying
of prunes. Some men are specializing in Loganberries entirely, but
the crop is one which lends itself to diversified farming very nicely.

EngUsh walnuts and filberts are being planted quite extensively
throughout the state. The French strains of the walnut, like the
Franquette, Mayette, and Meylan are the favorites at the present
time and the industry promises to become much larger in Western
Oregon. While at present the output is small, in the near future it
will be materially increased, as a large acreage of young trees is just
coming into bearing. Oregon walnuts are noted for superiority in
flavor, and those so far produced have brought much above average
prices on the nut markets.

Peaches are grown largely as fillers, there being only a few sections
where this fruit is grown as a specialized crop. While shipments
have been made to Mississippi River points, the bulk of the crop is
grown largely for local consumption or for canning.

In the production of cane fruits the state is unexcelled. Red
raspberries yield regular heavy crops, as high as 600 crates per acre
being reported. Blackberries, gooseberries, currants, and straw-
berries are all grown readily and cheaply. Strawberries and rasp-
berries are shipped from Pacific Coast points as far east as Chicago.

Other fruits, such as almonds and apricots, are grown in limited
quantities, and those interested in them can find regions specially
suited for their successful production.

The by-products industry is one which promises in the very near
future to reach a considerable magnitude. Thus far the development
has been largely in Western Oregon in such cities as Eugene, Cor-
vaUis, Salem, Portland, and vicinity. In the cherry districts there is
a very heavy demand for Napoleon (Royal Anne) cherries for Maras-
chino. Many of the canneries in the state are co-operative. The
great diversity of crops, the abundance and ease with which they can
be produced, combined with the co-operative plan, whereby the
producers share all the profits, gives very satisfactory results, and
extensive plantings are taking place wherever the canneries and by-
products plants are being estabhshed.

In dried fruits, especially the prune, the state has built up a very
strong industry. Apples, pears, and peaches are being dried in
limited quantities.

74

OREGON FARMER
VEGETABLES— STATE AVERAGE 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

27

85i

65

137

37

27}

28

Hi

41

68

8

Hi

1

16

11

9i

6

9J

13

81

20

4i

1

2

7

1

2

1

5

J

2

.}

2

.62

Total Crop.

Per Acre

Melons

Onions

Cabbage

Tomatoes

Beans

Celery

Horse Radish .
Rhubarb

Asparagus. . .

Squash

Turnips

Cucumbers.
Cauliflower.
Parsnips. . .

Peppers

Egg Plant..

12,910

40,017

270

9,286

63,967

17,900

48

208,000

21,492

29,057

75,000

250

173

175

14,100

203

200

crts.

sks.

tons.

bxs.

lbs.

dz.bun

tons.

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

sks.

bu.

crts.

lbs.

crts.

crts.

Note:— Some of the yields are a little high owing to the fact that many patches were small and
given extra good care.

In some cases prices are above the average owing to the fact that the produce was diaposed of
locally to good advantage.

Truck gardening has not been developed to the same extent as
has fruit growing. In the production of onions, however, the state
surpasses, and most years this industry is found to be very profitable.
Most of the onions are produced on what is known as the beaverdam
lands, which abound in Western Oregon. Broccoli, or winter cauli-
flower, grows exceedingly well and it is only a question of a short time
before the state should ship out a large amount of this vegetable.
The opening of the Panama Canal should make it possible to place
vegetables in eastern cities in good condition at low costs. While
the markets are fairly well supplied with rather low grade vegetables,
there is a splendid opportunity in the state for the production of
high class vegetabes.

There are at the present time relatively few truck gardeners
who have made this subject a specialty. Only occasionally does one
meet the intensive growers found in the environments of large eastern
cities.

The greenhouse business has grown very rapidly the last few
years and offers a most attractive field of investment for people who
have been trained in this line of work. All over Western and Southern
Oregon, especially where the centers of population are increasing
rapidly, there is a brisk demand for greenhouse products. The
business is twofold, flowers such as the carnation and chrysanthemum
on the one hand, and vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers
on the other hand. For the latter there is a very strong demand,
owing to the fact that the climatic conditions are such in many
portions of the state that there is a good profit in growing tomatoes
under glass, much more so than when grown outside. In most
parts of the state the climatic conditions are so mild that greenhouse
production is cheaper than in most eastern states. There are a
number of cases in the state where men with a capital of S600 to

OREGON FARMER 75

$2,000 have built up an industry which is making them independent.

The nursery business during the past few years has assumed
enormous proportions. One of the largest nurseries in the United
States is located in this state. The diversity of horticulture has made
the nursery business a good one, there being a demand for many
kinds of fruit and ornamental trees and plants. The reputation of
the state for fruit production has induced many people in various
parts of the United States to patronize Oregon nurseries for their
stock. (In Eastern Oregon, under irrigated conditions, piece root
trees are groMTi very successfully, while in Western Oregon, the whole
root or budded trees grow to better advantage.)

The prospective settler is always interested in the prices of fruit
lands, and it is generally believed by many that it is impossible to
buy cheap lands in Oregon. It is true that in some sections of this
state land has probably been sold for prices that were unwarranted.
However, orchards which have been well selected and properly cared
for are producing good interest on a valuation of SI, 000 per acre, and
some on an even greater valuation. The price of land is fixed by
many factors, such as transportation, nearness to rapidly growing
centers, the size of the area that is being planted to fruit, all have a
bearing on the price.

In regions where horticulture has become highly specialized the
prospective settler must naturally expect to pay more for land than
in those localities where less development has taken place. Hovvever,
it is not necessarily true that the cheaper lands are the best to buy.
There is to be found in this state today, an abundance of splendid
fruit land for sale for less than SlOO per acre. In fact, large areas
can still be purchased for as low as $50 per acre. The region in which
one will wish to purchase ^dll depend first of all on the choice of an
irrigated or non-irrigated tract, climatic preference, or the greatness
of the desire to be near magnificient scenery.

Failure in the fruit business is not unknown. Such failures as
occur are due to such factors as improper choice of orchard site, the
adoption of questionable horticultural methods, the planting of
unsuitable varieties, and the use of poor business judgment. Where
suitable locations are chosen, proper orchard methods employed, and
sound business methods practiced, fruit growing is found to be
a very profitable business.

Many prospective fruit growers contemplate buying too small
holdings. It is true that under proper conditions the small tract of
say ten acres is found to be very satisfactory. This is true in those
regions of good soil where irrigation can be obtained to supplement the
rainfall, or on the non-irrigated river bottom soil, which is alluvial
and somewhat sandy in na:ure, and has a wide range of adaptability.
Under such conditions ten acres can be made to produce a relatively
large income. To the average man, of limited means, it will be better
to try and secure a larger acreage. *'^*^ Forty acres in many cases will be
a desirable tract to purchase, this being approximately about a one-
team unit. That is, one man and a pair of horses could do the greater

76 OREGON FARMER

part of the work from early spring to early August, this being the rush
season. The first few years a portion of the land can be set to tree
fruits, and an area reserved for vegetable gardening and small fruits.
Chickens, hogs, and the family cow can be used in this combination
to very good advantage. After the entire acreage has been planted
and has come into bearing, twenty acres could be disposed of and the
capital thus secured invested in better buildings and needed improve-
ments.

When the settler starts in this way he is assured of a good living,
a steady income, and a rapid increase in value of the land in which
he has invested and which ultimately will become a unit which should
insure success. Where feasible it will be well to grow more than one
type of fruit, though, in some regions soil and climatic conditions
are more favorable to the production of a relatively few varieties.

Irrigation is a factor in fruit production in the state of Oregon.
In such regions as the Umatilla Project, including Hermiston and
Stanfield, and in parts of Eastern Oregon, irrigation becomes a
necessity where commercial fruit growing is to be undertaken. On
the other hand in most of the fruit valleys, such as the Grande Ronde,
Walla Walla, Hood River, and Rogue River, irrigation is used to
supplement the rainfall and in these regions many orchards have
never been irrigated. Fruit growing can be undertaken successfully
in such regions vnthout irrigation provided good soil is chosen and
proper cultural methods are adopted. In many cases, however,
supplemental irrigation will be found to be of great help.

The question of varieties to plant is largely a local one There
is not a fruit valley in this state but what can produce fruit to a high
degree of perfection. Choose good soil, put into play up-to-date
methods, and choose the varieties which are succeeding the best in
your locality, should be the rule to follow. The Experiment Station
issues, from time to time, lists of varieties which are recommended
for various parts of the state.

In no region of the world is horticulture becoming more specialized
and intensified than in the state of Oregon. Every effort is made by
the growers to apply the most up-to-date and improved methods.
The most common method used in handling the soils of the orchards
is that of clean tillage. Nearly all the orchards are plowed and har-
rowed carefully each year and are cultivated at such frequent intervals
as to prevent the ground baking, the escape of moisture or growth of
weeds. The amount of tillage varies in the different localities, and
is controlled by such factors as, climate, soil, variety of fruit, and age
of/tree.

I'vCover crops are used very extensively in bearing orchards in non-
irrigated districts, while in the irrigated districts either cover crops
are grown, or else orchards are permanently seeded to clover, alfalfa
and similar crops. This system is adapted only to regions where
they^are'suppl led 'with irrigation water. ^i ~~^ "^^ m \ii

Spra>dng is a universal practice and nearly every orchard_is*pro\'ided
with a power sprayer,^and the orchard is given a regular, systematic

OREGON FARMER 77

series of sprayings. Many pests, however, that are common in the
east are not found in Oregon, such as the plum curculio, for example,
which makes it so difficult in some sections of the United States to
produce stone fruits.

The thinning of tree fruit is a universal practice. With apples,
pears and peaches, thinning is done by hand, while with cherries
and prunes most of the thinning is done by pruning.

Oregon was the first state in the Union to perfect the box system
of packing, and its system of grading and packing is now recognized
as the best in the world and is being copied to a certain extent by
many other fruit growing regions.

A recent development in fruit production in this state is the
erection of large cold storage houses. These will enable the fruit
growers to hold their crops until such times as they can dispose of
them on the market to the best advantage. Up to the present time
the state has been very fortunate in meeting with very hearty co-
operation on the part of all transportation companies in the way of
rates, storage in transit facilities, icing facilities, and in rolling stock.

Those who love attractive home surroundings will find Oregon an
ideal location. In the greater part of the state the climatic conditions
are such as to insure the successful culture of a wide range of plants.
Not only is the state rich in beautiful native trees, shrubs and flowers,
but practically everything grown in the temperate zone will succeed
here. This wealth of material offers superb combinations of plants
that give a pleasing landscape picture. This coupled with a magnifi-
cent view through a vista of tall fir trees of perpetual snow-capped
peaks, tinted rose by the setting sun, appeals to all lovers of the
beautiful in nature. Rare sunset effects are found in our beautiful
foothills; combinations of shades of green, blue, purple, and rose such
as are indescribable are seen daily.

DISTRICT REPORTS.

Coast Division.

The Coast Division has not been developed horticulturally as much
as some other districts in the state However, there are splendid
opportunities for increased production along certain lines.

Gravenstein apples are grown to an unsurpassed degree of ex-
cellence and are noted for their fine color and wonderful keeping
qualities. Such apples have been shipped from Coos Bay to New
Zealand, Australia, and Alaska. This region also has splendid
opportunities for cranberry growing, there being considerable wild
area having the natural requirements of soil and moisture. These
peat bogs quite often are supplied with living streams of water and
generally have an abundance of sand in their vicinity, thus giving
ideal conditions. Wherever the cranberry has been tried under
suitable conditions it is giving very satisfactory returns, now indicat-
ing that cranberry growing in the Coast Division will become an

78

OREGON FARMER

industry of considerable importance to the state. The greatest
development at the present time is in Coos, Tillamook, and Clatsop
Counties.

Probably no region of the state can surpass the Coast Division
in the production of small fruits. The bench lands produce straw-
berries from May until late in the fall and early ^nnter, and the rich
moist loams are unexcelled for the growing of cane fruits such as
blackberries, Loganberries, and raspberries. Such fruits should be
produced in large quantities cheaply for canning factories or evapo-
rators.

Certain types of truck, such as turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, and
broccoli, do specially well on the bottom lands.

Southern Oregon District.

This is di^^ded into two sections; first, Douglas Coimty, which
includes the Umpqua Valley, and Jackson and Josephine Counties,
which include the Rogue River Valley.

Douglas County is in one of the earliest regions in the state and
offers an inviting field for the production of early garden produce
and fruits. Early strawberries, cherries, and vegetables that reach
many of our markets come from this section. It is also noted for the
production of French prunes, and a considerable industry in apples
and pear growing is being built-up.

Jackson and Josephine Counties are noted for their pear pro-
duction. In no section of the state has the pear been developed to the
extent that it has in this region. Bartlett, Howell, Anjou, Bosc,
Comice, and Winter Nelis are the principal varieties. In addition
to pears a considerable apple acreage is found in the valley, Yellow
Newtowns, Spitzenbergs, and Jonathans being the leading varieties.
In some sections, such as Merlin and Ashland, peach growing is an
industry of importance. A few French prunes and apricots are
produced. Small fruit and truck growing is very profitable on the
alluvial river bottom lands. The vinifera grapes, such as Muscat,
Tokay, and Malaga, succeed in the red hills with sunny exposures.
This industry in a number of cases is proving to be very profitable.

FRUIT— SOUTHERN OREGON DIVISION— 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

73

664

63

364i

28

6i
342

43

1,495

2

2

7

5

3

35

15

17i

Total Crop.

Per Acre.

Average Income
Price. Per Acre.

Apples

Pears (Box)

Prunes (Green) \
Prunes (Dry).../

Peaohes

Apricots

Cherries

Grapes

Strawberries ....

104,112 bss.

81,961 bxs.

734 bu.

849,300 lbs.

38,851 bxs.

300 bxs.

8,000 lbs.

5,000 crta.

1,395 crta.

156 bxs.

227 bxs.

128 bu.
2,483 lbs.

261 bxs.

150 bxs.
1,600 lbs.

143 crta.

aZcrts.

$1.48

1.48

.73

.052

.58

1.00

.12

.60

1.72

$230.88
335.96

93.44
128.89
156. IS
150.00
192.00

85.00
141.04

OREGON FARMER

79

VEGETABLES— SOUTHERN OREGON DIVISION— 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

16

m

17

H

9

■1

14

6

18

46

4

14

1

^

1

■ i

Crop.

Per Acre. ' Average
' Price.

Income
Per Acre.

Melons

Onions

Cabbage...
Tomatoes.

Beans

Celery

Asparagus
Peppers. . .

8,620 crta.
110,700 lbs.

6,200 lbs.

5,400 bxs.
53,500 lbs.

2,300 dz.bun

1,875 lbs.

50-75 crts.

151 crts.
28,166 lbs. ;
7,750 lbs. ;
900 bxs. I
1,163 lbs.
1,725 dz.bun
3,750 lbs.
200-250 crta.

$1.67
.018
.015
.38
.048
.70
.08
.60

$252.17

506.98

116.25

342.00

55.82

1,207.50
300.00
150.00

The tables of production show the average secured in the survey.
It is interesting to note a few specimen cases. While above the
average, these show what it is possible to attain where the conditions
are ideal and the best of care is given to the orchards.

Orchard No. 19, contained 30 acres of fruit, 25 acres being devoted
to apples and 5 acres to pears. The total income in 1910 from this
ranch was S23,528, S22,545 being from the orchard and garden. The
total net profit, deducting expenses, was S17,813. This ranch was
purchased early in 1910 for §30,000. The owTier keeps very careful
records, and the figures were compiled from his bank books and
records.

Orchard No. 48, a small pear orchard, consisting of 7^ acres,
produced S9,300 worth of pears in 1910, which left a net gain of
$5,935.

This section contains very large orchards as well as many small
orchards. One of the largest orchards in the valley is Ranch No.
46, containing 15 acres of Ne^v•town apples, 10 acres of Ben Davis
apples, 9 acres of Jonathan apples, and 119 acres of pears. The
total sales from this ranch in 1910 were 881,946, which left a net gain
of S44,774. A 40 acre block of pears on this ranch averaged $600
per acre net for ten years from 1901 to 1911.

Willamette Valley Division.

This is the largest horticultural division in the state, including
ten counties. There is found in this valley a wide range of soil,
elevation and climate, and as a result we find its horticulture to be
diversified. This valley is the center of the dried prune industry of
the state, of the culture of the Loganberry, the onion, the English
walnut, and the sweet cherry. In addition large areas are devoted to
small fruit production, garden truck, apples, pears, and peaches.
Nearly all types of fruit are gro\A'n on the alluvial river bottoms,
apples and pears on the clay loams, prunes and cherries on the red
hills, while many of the table lands are adapted to nearly all types of
deciduous fruits.

While there are certain centers of horticultural production in the
valley, on the other hand every county produces varieties of all kinds
of fruit commercially listed for this region.

80 OREGON^ FARMER

FRUIT— WILLAMETTE VALLEY DIVISION— 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

176

290i

38

15J

38

35

130

249J

130

1,428

19

117i

77

51

40

63}

12

n

39

15i

2

83i

4

1

Total Crop.

Per Acre.

Average Income
Price. Per Acre.

Apples

Pears (Box) ....
Pears (Canned) .
Prunes (Green) .
Prunes (Dry). . ,

Peaches

Cherries

Strawberries

Grapes

Raspberries ....
Loganberries. . .
Gooseberries ...

56.390 bxs.

3.390 bxs.

55JT.

31,249 bu.

3,023,100 lbs.

24,541 bxs.

194,200 lbs.

10,681 crts.

75,440 lbs.

42,625 lbs.

164} T.

4,700 lbs.

193 bxs.

216 bxs.

1.59 T.

125 bu.
2.117 lbs.
202.8 bxs.
3,807 lbs.

246 crts.
10,058 lbs.
2,750 lbs.

2T.
4,700 lbs.

$0.85
.86

30,31
.92
.064
.76
.039
1.32
.038
.04 J

82.45
.05

$164.05
185.76
48.06
115.00
135.49
154.12
148.47
324.72
382.62
123.75
164.90
235.00

Note: — Loganberry yield ia for young patches. Mature patches yield from 4 to 6 tons.

VEGETABLES— WILLAMETTE VALLEY DIVISION— 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

2

4

28

129}

12

18

8

3

1

1

4

lOi

1

16

8

9

2

5

8

3

5

3;

1

2

3

■ i

5

i

Total Crop.

Per Acre.

Average
Price.

Income
Per Acre.

Melons

Onions

Cabbage

Tomatoes

Beans

Celery

Horse Radish

Rhubarb

Peas

Asparagus

Squash

Turnips

Cucumbers...
Parsnips

23 T.
38.426 sk's.

226 T.
2,123 bxs.
200 bu.
15,600 dz.bun

48 T.

192,000 lbs.

10,000 lbs.

6,350 lbs.

30} T.

250 sks.

20bbl.

14,100 lbs.

5iT.

297.3 8k?.

12.5 T.

707.6 bxs.

200 bu.

1,486 dz.bun

3T.

21.333 lbs.

2,000 lbs.

1,953 lbs.

9.37 T.

125 sks.

40 bbl.

16.114 lbs.

$21.50

1.38

13.66

.50

1.25

.56

140.00

.018

.04

.08

4.69

1.00

6.00

.015

$123 62
440.27
170 75
424.50
250.00
832.16
420.00
383.99

80 00
156.24

43.80
125.00
240.00
241.71

The two tables of vegetables and fruits are typical of average
conditions as found by the survey. To give an idea, however, of
what is being done by some of the growers in this valley, the following
figures are interesting:

Farm No. 45, contains 21 acres of apples, peaches and prunes.
The income in 1910 from this farm was $6,900.

Farm No. 27, contains 20 acres in bearing: — 15 acres of apples,
3 acres of prunes, 2 acres of cherries, — j acre of Loganberries and 15
pear trees. The income from this fruit for 1910 was .¥5,013.75.

Farm No. 4, contains 37 acres in bearing: — 3 acres apples, 21
acres peaches, 5 acres pears, and 7 acres of prunes. The total sales
for 1910 were $14,750.

Farm No. 1, is a typical large prune farm, containing 123 acres of
prunes and 2 acres of cherries in bearing. Total income for 1910
from this orchard was $20,150.

While the figures for prunes do not total as high as many fruits, it
should be borne in mind that the cost of producing is relatively low.

Farm No. 2, contains 25 acres of Loganberries in full bearing.
The total income from berries was $10,000 in 1910. In addition
$3,750 worth of young plants were sold. The net profit on this farm
was $9,212.

OREGON FARMER

81

Farm No. 56, contains 8^ acres of onion.?, from which 2,400 sacks
were sold, which brought $4,200. The net gain for this farm in 1910
was S3, 3 63.

Farm No. 39, contains 5 acres of onions, producing 1,600 sacks
which sold for S2,700.

Farm No. 57, consists of only 2 acres of celery, and a small patch
of cabbage and corn, making a total sales of SI, 550, leaving a net
gain of S842.

Columbia Basin Division.

The Columbia Basin Division includes a number of widely
separated fruit districts. These districts are quite dissimilar in
many respects, such as climate, soil, and variety adaptabiUty. In the
table of incomes this district is sho\\Ti to give a greater profit per
acre than any of the other districts. The reasons for this are, from
a horticultural point of view, due to the following conditions: First,
the fruit farms are small. Second, they are farmed intensively.
Third, the chmatic and soil conditions allow for a wide diversity of
crops. Fourth, irrigation is used supplementarily very successfully
on many of the farms.

The districts included in the Columbia Basin Division are the
Freewater Milton district, which is part of the Walla Walla valley.
This region produces a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Probably
no other region in the state is as diversified in a small area as this
district. Prunes for shipping green, peaches, apples, berries, cherries,
and garden truck are all groA\Ti on a commercial scale.

Irrigation is u.sed quite extensively in this valley.

The Hermiston-Stanfield district is an irrigated district which has
been developed in the past few years. Horticulturally it shows
promise of producing early vegetables, lima beans, melons, peppers,
peaches, table grapes, and Winesap apples.

The Dalles district is primarily a stone fruit district. Prunes,
peaches, apricots and Royal Anne cherries are all grov/n commercially.
The \inifera grapes also succeed in this district. In the valleys to the
south apples and similar fruits are being produced successfully.

The Hood River and Hosier districts are devoted mostly to apple
culture, Spitzenbergs and Yellow Ne\\'towTis being the leaders.
Some pears and berries, especially strawberries, are also gro\^Ti.

FRUIT— COLUMBIA BASIN DIVISION— 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

Total Crop.

Per Acre.

1 Average
j Price.

Income
Per Acre.

Apples

Prunes

58
23
36
22
8

20
2
7
3

379
28i
95

52i
41

,'

4

135,204 bis.

487,500 lbs.

48,851 bxa.

102,410 lbs.

33.360 crU.

4,495 crta.

182 crts.

1.078 crta.

457 crts.

359 bxs.
16.956 lbs.
514 bid.
5,825 lbs.
635 crta.
109 crts.
364 crts.
168 crts.
114 crta.

1 $1.16
.011
.738
.041
.605
2.13
1.95
1.64
2.00

$416.44
2.54.34
379.33

277.97

384.17

232 17

709 80

275.52

228 00

82 OREGON FARMER

VEGETABLES— COLUMBIA BASIN DIVISION— 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

2

4

1

1

3

5i

6

2J

10

7

4

4i

4

5

4

\

1

i

2

.62

Total Crop.

Per Acre.

Average
Price.

Income
Per Acre.

Melons

Onions

Cabbage . . .
Tomatoes . .

Beans

Peas

Asparagus .
Cucumbers
Peppers . . . .
Egg Plants.

550 crts.

200 sks.

26 tons.

1,763 bxs.

.?8,167 lbs.

11,492 ll>8.

496 bxs.

113 crts.

125 bxs.

200 crts.

138 crts.

200 sks.

4.7 tons.

1,175 bxs.

5,452 lbs.

2,508 lbs.

99 bxs.

226 crts.

250 bxs.
322.6 crts.

$1.67

1.60

30.00

.84 :

.054 I
.045
.66
.82
.60 I
1.00

$230.46
320,00
141.00
987.00
294.41
112.86
65.34
185.32
150.00
322 60

The tables show average conditions as brought out by the survey.
However, one finds exceptional returns in such districts where diversi-
fied fruit culture is practiced. As examples of what has been done
in these districts by men who have been sldllful growers and who
have had unexcelled facilities with which to work, the follo^^^ng is
interesting.

Farm No. 27, contains 14 acres of large mature apple trees in first
class condition. In 1910 this farm produced $31,364 worth of apples
or approximately $1,500 per acre.

Farm No. 16, contains 9 acres of apple trees, which in 1910 pro-
duced 4,400 boxes of apples which sold for S6,223.

Farm No. 28, contains 7 acres of apples, 3 acres of peaches, and
I acre of cherries. The total sales from the 10| acres was $8,878.67.
The net gain from all sources on this farm was $5,121.

Farm No. 23, contains only 5 acres, consisting of apples, straw-
berries, blackberries, dewberries, nectarines and plums. The total
total sales amounted to $2,619 in 1910.

Farm No. 27, contains 8| acres of strawberries, j acre of red
raspberries, and j acre of phenomenal berries. The total sales
amounted to $2,588.50.

Farm No. 8, contains only 6 acres, being diversified among the
following crops: — apples, peaches, prunes, strawberries, black
raspberries, blackberries, canteloupes and potatoes. The total
sales amounted to $3,000.

Farm No. 17, contains 22 acres, consisting of 18 acres of apples,
1 acre of prunes, 2 acres of blackberries, | acre of asparagus, and a
mixed acreage containing peaches, pears, cherries, crabapples,
potatoes, peas and squash. The total sales amounted to $7,764.42.
The net income from this farm was $6,183.

Blue Mountain Division.

The Blue Mountain Division is found near the eastern border
of the state, most of the fruit being grown above the elevation of
2,000 feet. There are a number of quite highly developed horti-
cultural districts in this area. The Grande Roude Valley is the
largest fruit section. A considerable apple industry has been built
up in this valley with such varieties as York Imperial, Gano, Rome
Beauty, and Jonathan. In the \icinity of Cove, Bing cherries and

OREGON FARMER

83

Italian primes are grown for shipping green to eastern markets.
Eagle and Pine valleys in the vicinity of Baker are giving considerable
attention to fruit production and in the vicinity of the Snake River
a considerable area is to be found upon which almost any type of
deciduous fruit can be grown.

FRUIT-

-BLUE MOUNTAIN DIVISION— 1910-11.

Reports.

Acres.

Total Crop.

Per Acre.

Average
Price.

Income
Per Acre.

23
6
5

10
6

323*

48
171

a

60,984 bxs.

95,523 lbs.

4,500 bxs.

159,000 lbs.

810 crts.

185 bxs.

11,578 lbs.

93.75 bxs.

8,957 !bs

180 crts.

$0.97

.009

.86

.06

2.46

$178 89

108.24

80.63

574 . 64

443.33

The above table has shown the average conditions of this district,
but the showing of a fev/ of the better farms is of interest.

Farm No. 42, contains 6| acres of apples, 2^ acres of cherries, and
a few scattering trees of prunes and peaches. It produced in 1910
$4,200 worth of fruit. $400 worth of produce was sold from this
farm, leaving a total net gain of $2,727.

Farm No. 18, contains 3 acres of strawberries and a few scattered
peach and pear trees. The total income amounted to $1,506.

Farm No. 8, contains 10 acres of bearing apple trees, 1 acre
peaches, 2 acres cherries. Total sales, including poultry, bees, and
dairy, amounted to $7,887.50, leaving a total net gain of $5,453.

Central Oregon Division.

This division contains a tremendous area of country in which is
found a few valleys in which horticultural products are being grown
successfully. In those regions which have good soil, ample rainfall
or supplementary irrigation, coupled with freedom from frost,
horticulture is found to be a very profitable industry. Wherever the
canon breezes blow, good locations for fruit can generally be found.

Owing to the lack of transportation facilities in the earUer days
this region produced fruit almost entirely for local consumption.
While this region as a whole Avill never become a great horticultural
region there are certain portions which can produce horticultural
crops very profitably. The Ontario district has nearly the same
conditions as are found in the famous Payette district of Idaho, and
a,pples, prunes, melons, and similar crops should be grown in this
region in large amounts successfully. The John Day Valley has been
producing fruit for many years. One of the largest districts to be
found in Central Oregon is near the Goose and Summer Lakes.
There is a considerable area of land here of the very congenial soil,
and the climatic conditions are favorable for the type of fruits such
as apples, pears, peaches, prunes and vegetables, even such types as
tomatoes and peppers. With the better transportation faciUties
which have recently been inaugurated in Eastern Oregon it is only
a question of a short time before the favorable districts will develop
a horticultural industry of considerable importance.

84

OREGON FARMER

11 anything were needed to prove that conditions are favorable in Oregon to the
poultry industry it would be found in the egg records that have been made by laying
fowls at the Oregon Experiment Station st Corrallis. During 1912, egg records were
secured that exceeded those made in any other state, in the Union so far as authsntie
records are concerned. For the fiscal year, ending September 10, 1913, one hen at the Oregon
Experiment Station broke the world's record by laying 291 eggs in twelve months, the
previous record being 282. The Oregon hen laid 99 eggs in 100 consecutive days in the Spring.

OREGON FARMER

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY IN OREGON.

By James Dbyden,
Professor of Poultry Husbandi'y.

85

SEVEN OREGON FARMS, SHOWING DIFFERENT TYPES OF
Table A POULTRY KEEPING— 1911-12.

Farm.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

County.

Lane.

Lane.

Jackson.

Marion.

Linn.

Multnomah.

Morrow.

No.Acres..{ow-d^;:::;:;:::::::

•Value per acre

Men Needed

20

12

$135.00

1

2

IJm

2

307
230
$93.48

2

7

2im

9

8

4

100

40

300

$1.00

125

47c

18c

14
14

$500.00
1
1

2 m
1
2

31

31
$606.00
2J
2

2 m
2
2
1

40

40

$100.00

1

2

1 m

3

3

24

12

$1000.00

1
1
Jm

1

t788
788

$15.00
2

8

Miles to R. R. Station

fHorses

2Jm
20
5

Stock Kept. Cattle

5

2
300

"ioc'

18|c

No. of Fowls Kept

190
$1.15

142
51c
19}c

300
$1.50

105
50c
20c

770
$1.50
140

45c
20c

776
$1.25
125
65c
27Jc

600

Estimate f Cost Feed

$1.00

per Fowl. 1 Eggs per Hen

Prices /Highest

Received. \Lowe.st

100
35c
16c

•This value does not include buildinge.
tOwns 628 acres, rents 160 acres.

Table B

RECEIPTS, 1911-12.

Farm

A.

B.

c.

D.

E.

F.

G.

$04.00

$1,381.20
996.00
300.00

$555.00

Animal I
Dairy. . .

$10.66

50.00
5.270.00

$85.00
89.00
3.00

$140.00
1,750.00

465.00

410.00

Chickens...
Turkeys....

$32.50

$100.00

$62.50

$150.00

$60.00

$380.00

$132.00
400.00

Ducks

15.30

9.00

Value of

106.00

Poultry
Sold.

Eggs

Total

606.80

D'ckH.OO
710.00

840.00

2.565.00

857.76

2,328.00

500.00

$539.30

$339.30

$902.50

$2,716.00

$917.76

$2,708.00

$1,146.00

Labor for others

$50.00

$200 00
50.00

Miscellan

Total..

Net R«ce

Net Gain

Per Cent

Investn

eous

1

1

$653.30

$413.77
5S4.77

16.1%

$3,766.50

$2,792.50

$8,045.30

$1,094.75

$2,708.03

$2,676 00

5 $2,077.00
2.944.00

8.6%

$1,048.50
1.545.50

17.7%

$4,.554.30
5,379.30

19.7%

•J'S49.50
.f 963. 60

' 15.4%

$520.00
1.420.00

6.3%

$674 00

1.579.00
10.8%

Gain on

86
Table C

OREGON FARMER
EXPENSES APRIL 1, 1911 TO APRIL 1, 1912.

Item

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

? 2.00

1.30

25.75

34.00

$250.00

6.00

215.00

$1,000.00

10.00

99.00

1,130.00

25.00

$ 4.50

3.00

51.75

$ 8.00

$300 00

Taxes

154.00

Hav and Feed

$574.00

1,270.00

Seed Grass, Clover

16.00

3.00

Horseshoeing and

15.00
30.00
25.00

200.00

30.00
1.50
10.00
615.00
75.00
75.00
50.00
35.00
57.00

20.00
2.00

5.00

10.00

60.00

Twine

.50
3.00

Threshiing — Contract

16.00

320.00

Barrels, Boxes, Crates
Etc

210.00

300.00
130.00

10.00
200.00

20.00
300.00

50.00
170.00

25.00

20.00

10.00

Medical

150.00
5.00

497.00

369.00

500.00

505 00

400 00

400.00

20.00
35.00
25.00

100.00

15.00

463.00

33 00

Total

Living Expenses, Im-
provements, educa-
tional

Operating Expense. .

$239.55

170.00
69.55

$1,689.50

907.00
782.50

$1,744.00

497.00
1,247.00

$3,491.00

775.00
2.716.00

$545.25

424.00
121.25

$2,188.00

900.00
1.288.00

$1,902.00

905.00
997.00

Table D

CAPITAL INVESTED.

Farm

Land

Dwellings

Other Buildings

Machinery and Tools

Live Stock

Feed and Seed

Cash to Run Farm

Total

A.

B.

$2,700

$28,700

200

1,600

100

500

75

200

300

2,914

50

100

200

76

$3,625

$33,989

C.

$7,000
750
250
200
520

$8,720

D.

E.

$18,800

$4,000

2,000

800

4,000

350

600

300

485

460

50

100

1,000

$26,835

$6,010

F. ! G.

$24,000

500 ;

800 i

50 ,

670 i

100 I
400

$9,420

1.600

500

400

2.316

400

$26,520 $14,536

^|r'HE reports of the statistical bureau show that 1,262 inter\aews
Vfcbwere secured from farmers who kept poultry. Interviews were
secured in every county of the state. There were reported on the
1,262 farms, 86,220 hens, with an average of 68 per farm. The least
number of hens reported on any farm was 6 and the highest number
1,000. The great majority of the interviev/s did not furnish enough
accurate data to warrant drawing any important lessons. For
instance, out of 1,262 farms reporting poultry, only 28 kept any

OREGON FARMER 87

actual account of the food consumed. A more or less accurate
account of the number of eggs laid was kept by 449 farmers.

Eleven farms reported poultry as a specialty. Nine farms special-
ized in dairy and poultry. Nine farms specialized in fruit and
poultry. Three farms in live stock and poultry. Four in grain
growing and poultry. Two in general farming and poultry. Four in
truck gardening and poultry. These were some of the farms that
showed the most reliable statistics of production. In a great majority
of interviews poultry-keeping is reported as a side line to general or
mixed farming.

One fact is pretty strongly emphasized in all reports and that is
that there is not much actual book-keeping done by the farmer.
This is especially true in regard to the cost of feeding the fowls. On
28 farms exact records were kept. The average cost of food per fowl
on those 28 farms was $1.27 during the year. The figures vary from
$2.00 per fowl to $1.00 as averages for the counties. In most of
these cases the food, or a large percentage of it, was bought.

As to the number of eggs laid per fowl the figures at best are
estimates. The average during the year on 449 farms was 111.24.
To show the unreliability of the average estimates, it is sufficient
to state that one farmer reported an average of 36 per fowl, which
was the lowest. Another reported an average for his flock of 220 per
fowl. It is safe to say that neither of them comes very near the truth.
We probably come very near the actual truth, however, by taking
the average of the whole 449. This may show the value of an average
though it does not represent the possibilities.

As already explained in another part of this book, it is possible that
the reports do not represent the best obtainable data, but there are
enough reports of a reliable character when analyzed carefully to
indicate something of the status of the poultry industry of this state
and of the possibilities in that line of production. It isn't fair to
deal with averages in talking about possibilities. If we were to say
that the poultry industry was a profitable industry in the United
States we would not get very much support for this view from the
federal census which deals in averages. According to that report the
fowls of the United States average some six dozen eggs per hen.
According to the same report the hens of Oregon are doing a Uttle
better, but in neither case do the figures represent a profitable
industry. We must analyze individual cases if we are to get at the
truth of the matter. The average of the 449 farms at the rate of HI
eggs per fowl represents a profitable business, but it dosn't fully
represent the possibilities.

The reports show what has generally been knoiATi to be a fact,
that the poultry industry is not a speciaHzed business. By that I
mean that it is not conducted as a separate or exclusive business to
any extent. We may have specialists in poultrA'-kecping, but there
should be a wider meaning to the word specialization than is usually
given. A man may specialize in poultry-keeping and yet grow other

88 OREGON FARMER

crops. He may make poultry-keeping a leading feature of his farming
and still conduct a mixed husbandry farm.v He may specialize in
other branches of agriculture and make poultry-keeping a side
issue. In either case there are possibilities for profit. Whatever
may be the future of the poultry industry the fact is that it is not a
specialized business, so far as regards the production of market
poultry and eggs. There are specialists, however, who make a
business of raising improved breeding stock. That is a legitimate
and necessary business, but the great bulk of poultry produced comes,
and probably always will come, from a system of mixed husbandry
in which poultry-keeping may be the leading feature or merely a side
line to the other farm operations.

A study of the individual reports secured show that we have in
Oregon a good poultry state. I have no doubt there are many other
poultry producers who have not been interviewed who would give
equally good reports, but we have enough, I think, to bring out the
point that poultry-keeping is a profitable business here and that
there is great encouragement for anyone to embark in that line of
farm production if he goes at it in the right way.

SEVEN TYPICAL FARMS.

I have selected seven different farms located in different sections
of the state to show under what conditions poultry is being raised
and what results are being secured. Thev are numbered "A" to
"G" inclusive.

"A" represents a small farm of 20 acres and of one-man power,
in fact a bachelor. Practically the only income was from fowls, and
the operating expenses, outside of the owner's labor, was little or
nothing.

Farm "B" represents a typical mixed husbandry farm of 307 acres.
The income was derived from four different branches, namely, field
crops, live stock, dairy and poultry, with poultry a prominent feature.

Farm "C" is a small farm of 14 acres showing a combination of
peach growing and poultry in a natural fruit district.

Farm "D" is a farm of 31 acres with fruit and poultry as the only
two items of production, the orchard producing a diversity of fruits.

Farm "E" shows a different type of poultry farming. Here poultry
is the leading feature, with some livestock, dairy and orchard pro-
ducts as subsidiary lines. This shows what may be done on a com-
paratively small farm in diversified farming with poultry as a
specialty.

Farm "F" represents a special poultry farm. In this case poultry
is the only business of the ovvner.

Farm "G" is another, though different, type of mixed husbandry
farm, located in the eastern section of the state. In this case there is
a large acreage of comparatively cheap land but^a system of mixed
husbandry prevails, with poultry as the leading feature.

OREGON FARMER 89

The statistical data has been summarized in concise form in the
tables on pages 86 and 87. Table A gives general inform-
ation in regard to the seven farms. It will be noticed that the
principal geographical sections of the state are represented in
this list of farms. The Willamette Valley is represented by 5
farms, A, B, D, E, and F. Southern Oregon or the Rogue River
Valley by "C" and Eastern Oregon by "G." This does not fully
cover or represent the whole state so far as climatic conditions are
concerned but the data from other sections were not accurate enough
or complete enough to warrant extended consideration.

Climatic Conditions.

These seven farms, however, represent sections of various temper-
ature and moisture conditions. In the Willamette Valley the climate
is mild with an average minimum temperature of about 34 degrees
above zero. That is, once during the winter, on the average, that
temperature is reached. In fact there are but few days in the winter
when the freezing temperature occurs. Occasionally a little snow
falls but soon melts. The rainfall, however, is considerable in the
winter. The winter climate, therefore, may be characterized as mild
and humid. The summers are comparatively dry.

Southern Oregon, represented by "C" has a greater range o^
temperature, some snowfall and occasionally a few days of sleighing.
The precipitation is about half that of the Willamette Valley. The
altitude ranges at about 2,000 feet.

Eastern Oregon is represented by farm "G". Of course no one
point can fully represent the immense territory embraced in this
section of the state, but in general this farm will represent the
climatic conditions for the larger part of Oregon which lies east
of the Cascade range of mountains. The climate in this section is
dry, both the rainfall and sno^vfall being light. It is in the midst
of the great wheat and range country where dry farming prevails.
For further information in regard to climate see page 67 of this book.

The importance of making the data cover the different sections
of the state has been kept in mind. The main purpose, however, in
making the selections of farms as they have been made, has been to
show the possibilities of poultry farming under different systems of
managenemnt.

General Information.

Table A on Page 86 is largely self-explanatory and the figures
are based on reports that I believe to be thoroughly reliable. Other
reports could have been given showing more striking results but
their reliability or accuracy was not such that it was thought ad\isable
to quote them. This table shows that the number of fowls kept on
the different farms range from 190 on farm "A" to 776 on farm "F".
The cost of feed per fowl ranges fromSl.OO to$1.50 per year. The eggs
laid per fowl from 100 to 142. The prices received for the product
were the regular market prices, that is, so much a dozen for eggs and

90 OREGON FARMER

SO much a pound for chickens. There was no special or extra
revenue derived from selling breeding stock or eggs and poultry for
fancy prices. The highest price received was 65 cents a dozen from
farm "F" near Portland. The lowest on the same farm was 27^
cents. The private trade in this case took the product at a somewhat
better price than the general market would pay. The lowest price
received on any farm was 16 cents on farm "G" in Eastern Oregon.
This farm is 180 miles from Portland. The highest price received on
the same farm was 35 cents. It will be noted that the minimum
cost of feed was also shown on this farm. There are few sections in
the United States, if any, where wheat is cheaper than in the section
represented by this farm.

It will be noted that there is a great range in value of land per acre
in the different sections. The seven farms are all close to shipping
points.

Capital.

Table D on page 87 gives the estimate as to capital invested in
each farm. In figuring the profit on the farm, of course the capital
or interest on investment must be taken into account. During the
past five years the reports show in most cases, that the land practi-
cally doubled in value.

Receipts.

Table B on page 86 gives the receipts of the different farms for
the year April 1, 1911 to April 1, 1912. It is shown that on farm
"A", the small place owned and operated by one man, the receipts
amounted to $653, all but $114 being from poultry and eggs.

Farm "B" shows the results from a mixed husbandry farm. The
largest item of receipts was from hay and field crops sold; the next
from live stock sold; the next from poultry products, and the next
dairy products. The total receipts from the farm were $3,766.50.

Farm "C", a fruit and poultry farm shows receipts of $2,792.50.
The crop of peaches selling for $1,750; poultry and eggs for $902.50
and butter fat $140.00.

Farm "D" shows receipts of $10 animal husbandry; $50 dairv;
$2,715 poultry and S5,270 fruit.

Farm "E" shows some mixed husbandry but the large item of
receipts is from poultry, a total of $917.75 for poultry and eggs and
$177 from other sources.

Farm "F" as a special poultry farm shows no other receipts than
poultry, the total being $2,708.

Farm "G" shows a wide variety of products, poultry being the
leading feature, the receipts being $1,146 for poultry; $555 from field
crops; $465 from butter and $410 from orchard and garden.

Expenses.

The expenses paid out on the several farms for the year 1911 are
shown in table C on page 87. It will be noted that there is little

OREGON FARMER 91

hired labor employed on any of the farms except ''D", there being
practically none on A, C, E, and F. On three of the farms money was
paid out for feed. Most of the feed used on those farms was pur-
chased, though a small quantity was raised, chiefly green food. On
the other four farms no money was paid out for feed, the farm pro-
ducing all that was fed. The table includes the amount paid out for
household expenses. This amount varies in proportion to the size
of family and other items. It is interesting to note that the house-
hold expenses on farm "A" were only $150. In this case the owner
was the only person on the farm. In addition to doing all the farm
work he performed all the necessary duties of the household.

Farm "E" supported two persons, and the outlay was $369. The
household expenses do not include the amount of food produced on
the farm such as garden truck, milk, etc. The money paid out on
farms "A" and "E" show just how little a farmer has to purchase or
bring onto the farm under certain conditions of diversification.

The total expenses on farm "A" were $239.55, the total for farm
"E" $545.25. The total paid out for operating expenses for farm
"A" was only $69.55 and farm "E" $121.25, showing that those two
farms came very nearly being self-sustaining.

The table shows the net operating expenses after deducting the
living expenses, improvements, and educational.

As to the profit on different farms, it is difficult to figure this out
closely. The figures, however, are complete enough to get a general
approximation. On farm ''A" with a total capital of $3,625 there
was a profit, in other words a net gain, of $584.77. This profit is
arrived at by subtracting the operating expenses from the total
receipts. If we include the living expenses, improvements and
educational, there would be a net gain of $413.77. In other words,
after including everything paid out of whatever nature, the o\\Tier had
$413.77 to deposit in the bank, or to pay interest on investment.

Figuring in the same way farmer "B", with a capital of $33,989
made a total net gain of $2,944, or $2,077 after deducting living
expenses, etc.

Farmer "C" with a capital of $8,720 shows $1,048.50 gain after
paying all operating expenses, household, improvements, etc.

Farmer "D" with a capital of $26,835 is shown to have in cash
$4,554.30 after paying all operating expenses including household
and improvements.

Farmer "E" with a capital of $6,010 showed cash on hand at the
end of the year of $549.50 after paying all exx)enses of the farm and
household for the year.

Farmer "F" with a capital of $26,520 showed net receipts or cash
on hand of $520.

Farmer "G" with a capital of $14,535 showed a cash gain of $674,
after paying all farm and living expenses. The per cent gain given
in each case, shown at the bottom of table, is figured on the basis

92 OREGON FARMER

of total net gain. That is, the improvements and living expenses
are included in the net gain.

In ppite of a heavy valuation in some cases a very satisfactory
showing is made on practically all of the farms. It is true that
farmer "F" on the showing made would be money in the pocket if he
could sell his place at the estimated capital and invest the money at
interest. He shows good returns from the flock which he keeps, but
his account shows that his capital investment is too high. The land
is valued at $1,000 an acre and to make interest on that valuation
he must get a considerably larger revenue from his farm . But it shows
what may be done on an acreage of that extent. It isn't necessary
to invest so much money in land for poultry.

Farmer "G" with 788 acres has S12,000 less investment than
farmer "F" on twelve acres, the difference being in the value of land.
Farmer "G" with no pretence of rurming a special poultry farm is
getting a larger net revenue from his farm than farmer "F". It
might of course be possible for farmer "F" to increase his flock to
such an extent so that he could produce on the same acreage double
the quantity of poultry and eggs shown in this table. So could farmer
"G" produce double the quantity, and he could do it at very much
less cost.

Farmer "E" on land valued at $100 an acre is making very satis-
factory returns on 40 acres. He did it in a modest way, caring for
only 300 fowls, enough with a little live stock, to use up all the grain
produced on the place. To increase his returns it would only be
necessary to increase his flock and to grow more food on the farm,
and on the right kind of land 40 acres could produce much more feed
and more fowls.

The returns from farms "E" and "F" show^ a great margin for
profit and loss, the net receipts being the same in each case, though
there was over four times the amount of capital in one than the
other.

Farm "E" shows something of the possibilities of practical poultry-
keeping. This is a medium sized farm of 40 acres where poultry is
the principal or practically the only source of revenue and where
the food is all produced on the land. Farm "A" is also worthy of
study in the same connection.

It is well known that the great bulk of poultry products is produced
on general farms where poultry keeping is a part of a system of mixed
husbandry.

The results from farm "B" indicate the possibilities of profit where
the general farmer gives considerable attention to poultry-keeping
without making it the leading feature of the farm. The average
farm in Oregon has about 50 fowls. Farmer "B" kept 300 fowls and
the returns from the 300 were nearly equal to the returns from field
crops or live stock, and it would be an interesting point to learn the
comparative value of the poultry compared with the other branches
when their returns were figured up at the end of the year. On a
farm of 300 acres where grain crops were raised and milk was pro-

OREGON FARMER 93

duced there would be little additional cost in keeping 300 fowls in
place of 50, so that the profit in the poultry branch of the farm will
be comparatively high.

Poultry and Fruit.

While some fruit was raised on the other farms no specialty was
made of fruit raising. Farms "C" and "D" show what can be done
where specialties are made of both fruit growing and poultry. In
the case of farm "C", peach growing and poultry raising were both
specialties, though the peaches were the principal source of revenue
in 1911, there being $1,750 receipts from the peaches and S902.50
from the poultry. The fowls were allowed to run in the orchard.
Here we have a case of a double use of land, and the experience of
this farmer fully justifies the practice of combining, under proper
conditions, these two industries. Of the 14 acres, 12 are in peaches
and the orchard is 16 years old. The o^Tier says: "Lower half of
orchard apparently greatly benefited by poultry, which have the run
of it. Marked difference in color of foliage, length of new growth and
size of fruit. Foliage darker green. New wood growth two-thirds
times as much and fruit one-fourth larger." He says that he had a
very good year for peaches in 1911. Another significant note is:
"Most profitable crop, peaches; surest crop, eggs."

Farm "D" is another poultry and fruit combination. This farm
shows very satisfactory returns for the year in question. On 31
acres, with the labor of two regular men and another man half time,
there were produced in poultry products and fruit a total of S8,045.30.
Deducting the operating expenses there was a total profit of 85,479.30,
without taking into account interest on investment. Deducting the
living expenses and improvements there is a net cash gain of $4,554.30.
Of the total receipts, poultry and eggs furnished $2,715. The number
of laying hens was 770. There is a variety of fruit produced, but the
largest single item is apples. The 31 acres are practically all in
fruit of some kind. In addition to apples there is a considerable
orchard of prunes and several acres of berry bushes, chiefly rasp-
berries and Loganberries. All the green food for the chickens is
produced on the place, a patch of kale being growm and vetch some-
times grown among the trees. This farm shows good management
and care. The fowls are kept in colony houses and they have the
range of the orchard, no fences being used except during the breeding
season when some of the best of the flock are yarded for producing
eggs for hatching. The colony houses have not been moved since
they were built. The result of this has been that the berry bushes
close to the houses show more vigorous gro^\'th and produce better
than those at the other end of the patch where the chickens seldom
range.

The sales from the fruit were nearly double those from the poultry.
The following year, however, on account largely of a difference in the
market for fruit, the receipts from the poultry exceeded those
from the orchard. At the present time Mr. Jorgenson, the
owner of this farm, ha.s over a thousand laying hens on the place.

94 OREGON FARMER

No attempt has been made to produce fancy breeding stock and the
amount received from the poultry was made wholly by selling the
product at market prices, the price for eggs ranging from 45 cents a
dozen to 20 cents. About SI, 100 worth of feed was purchased for
the fowls so that the profit on the feed purchased was over S2.00 per
fowl. The exact figures of food cost cannot be given because a small
quantity of feed was produced on the place. The owner's estimate
is $1.50.

The value of the poultry and eggs produced in Oregon in 1912
amounted to about $7,250,000 which exceeded the values for fruit,
oats, barley, potatoes, wool, or hops. In spite of this there were
large importations of eggs from eastern states or from middle west
states. In 1911 there were over 200 carloads of eggs shipped into
Oregon. There has been great development of the poultry industry
during the past few years, and it is estimated that the production now
is between three and four million dollars greater than it was five or
six years ago. Notwithstanding this great increase in production
the prices remain about the same. In a few years there is no reason
why Oregon should not produce $20,000,000 worth of poultry and
eggs a year, and it is doubtful, owing to the great increase of popula-
tion on the Coast, whether with this increased production there would
be much, if any, decrease in the prices received by the producers.

As has been explained in another part of this book, Oregon is a
large state in area and the climatic conditions are varied. In fact
most any kind of climate outside of a tropical climate may be found
in Oregon. Table A on page 86 shows that the Willamette
Valley produces a large proportion of the poultry and eggs in this
state. This shows that this valley, with its mild, though rainy
winters, is a good poultry section. It may not necessarily mean that
the Willamette Valley is the best poultry district in the state. It is
the oldest section of the state and being near to the Portland markets
naturally the greatest development has taken place here. There are
other valleys or sections in the state, I believe, that are equally
adapted for profitable poultry-keeping.

To show something of the possibilities in egg production in Oregon
I may mention that at the Oregon Experiment Station some of the
highest egg yields in the United States have been secured. There is
a regularly organized Poultry Department at the Agricultural College
and I believe it has been fully demonstrated that Oregon is as good as
any other state as a poultry section. Egg records as high as 259 in
one year and 462 in the first two years of laying have been secured.
The College is endeavoring to help the poultry-keepers of the state in
various ways. It is furnishing farmers and poultry raisers breeding
stock and eggs from fowls that have been bred from heavy producers
for several generations. In another way it is helping the producers
by publishing and distributing poultry bulletins dealing v/ith different
branches of the industry. Anyone wishing further information in
regard to methods of poultry-keeping in tliis state should write to
the Poultry Department of the x\gricultural College and copies of
these bulletins will be sent free on request.

OREGON FARMER 95

BEE CULTURE IN OREGON.

By H. F. Wilson,
Research Assistant in Entomology.

/^^I^ITH such data as we have at hand, it would be impossible
mi^^ to estimate correctly the status of bee-keeping in Oregon.
Many farmers keep from one to several stands for home
use, and in all parts of the state one may find from a few to many
colonies that not only furnish honey for the home but also
give a market surplus.

In looking over the data secured in this survey, one might be led
to infer that most of our honey is produced in Southern Oregon,
but that inference is misleading. The di%ision known as Central
Oregon probably has the greater number of large commercial apiaries,
with the Columbia Basin second and Southern Oregon third. These
facts are not sho^^^l in the survey, for the reason that it was taken
as a general farm survey, and of the five or six commercial apiaries
in Southern Oregon, the largest happened to be recorded. In the
survey of Central Oregon it so happened that out of a dozen or more
commercial apiaries, only two, of medium size, were recorded.
With these exceptions, other data at hand show that the average
that was arrived at, is fairly representative of existing conditions
According to the data in the accompanying table, 402 farms reported
bees; a total of 1,637 farms were visited, so that on an average, one
farm out of every four has bees.

The U. S. Census for 1910 reports one farm in every five as having
bees, but during the last two years the number of colonies has
increased, both in the number of large apiaries and in the number on
small farms. A considerable increase is due to the number secured
by orchardists for pollenization purposes.

With data on hand and the figures from the U. S. Census Report
for 1910, a distribution map has been made which shows some verj''
interesting facts. Each figure represents 1,000 colonies, showing
an approximate total of 50,000 colonies with a value of $250,000 . 00.
The writer believes that with the present average prices, an average
of five dollars per colony is not too high, although the census report
gives the total valuation of 47,285 colonies at S150, 164.00.

Of the 50,000 colonies, less than 20,000 are found outside of the
Willamette Valley and Coast Divisions. Apparently then, the
honey industry is in Western Oregon, but in reality only about one-
half as much honey is produced in these two divisions as in the others.
Many of the bees in the first two sections are barely self-supporting
and their only value is in pollenizing the fruit blossoms. The surplus
gained from the more thrifty colonies is generally small. The large
number in these sections is due to the number of small farms with
from one to thirty colonies.

Taking the state as a whole, individual apiaries produce from a
few pounds to a carload (figured at about 40,000 pounds). The
number of colonies owned by individual bee-keepers varies from a
few, to six or seven hundred.

96

OREGON FARMER

Distribution of Bees

50,000 Colonies.

EACH FIGURE ( B ) INDICATES lOl

In addition to the honey producing apiaries, there are situated
at different points in the state, queen and bee-rearing apiaries.

Discussing each region separately, we find that, in the coast
division, some of the finest honey produced anywhere is secured
from wild plants such as vine maple {Acer Circinatum) , and a plant
kno"^Ti as firewood (Epilobium spicatum). No large apiaries are
found in this section and the average surplus is small. Section
honey only is produced and only a small amount reaches outside
markets, as the local demand is greater than the supply. In this
section climatic conditions regulate to a great extent the amount of
honey produced. Continued rains in the spring, during the blossom-
ing period of fruit trees and other plants, often result in a decreased
surplus.

In the Willamette Valley section, conditions are extremely variable.
In the valley proper there are no commercial apiaries of any size,
and in bad years many bees starve in the fall for lack of stores.
Several men in this section have found that it is more desirable to
produce extracted honey, as the bees seem to gather more honey in this
way under adverse conditions. Alfalfa cannot be groAvni with success.

OREGON FARMER

97

and since there are not many flowering plants to be found after July
first, except back in the hills, the surplus must be gathered in the
spring. Continued spring rains are also a factor here and often-
times the blossoming period of the principal honey-producing plants
passes without the bees being able to spend more than a few days
in gathering honey. Getting. back onto the slopes of the Coast
Range and the Cascade Mountains, more favorable conditions are
found and a fair surplus can usually be secured from the more
variable honey-producing plants in the later blooming season.

The division known as Southern Oregon, and comprising only
three counties, is different from the other sections of the state in
that the region, while not arid, does not have as much rain as the
Willamette Valley and Coast divisions. In addition to several -^ild
honey plants, which grow abundantly in this section, alfalfa is growTi
successfully and fruit bloom offers a fine pasturage while it lasts.

The other three divisions, Central Oregon, the Blue Mountain
District, and Columbia Basin, have conditions which are practically
the same so far as bee-keeping is concerned. That the bee-keeping
industry of these sections is in its infancy can hardly be doubted
by one taking a trip through those sections where alfalfa can be
grown successfully. Here is also found a vast territory which at
present is in sage brush, but may some day be planted to alfalfa,
when it will give increased area for bee pasturage. In the vicinity
of Ontario and Vale, a large alfalfa district, one can find some of
the state's largest'and most productive apiaries. Much of the alfalfa
is grown for seed, and with the sweet clover which grows in waste
places gives an ideal pasturage for bees. There are many fine apiary
locations in different sections of the state, but all of these should
be thoroughly investigated before an attempt is made to start an
apiary in any one of them.

STATISTICS ON BEE CULTURE.
Based on 402 Reports.

Division.

Coast Division. . .
Southern Oregon.
Willamett* Valley
Columbia Basin. .
Blue Mountain.. .
Central Oregon...

Slate

S,

402

4605

Beekeeping

Successful.

Yes. No.

67
55
123
44
17
33

339

Colonies
Profitable.

Yee. No

472
829
657
987
370
839

4154

90

133

176

7

37

Average Price
of Honey.

Comb. Ex'ctd

Per lb.
12}-20c
12J-20C
12i-20c
12J-20C
12i-15c
12i-15c

12i-20c

Per lb.
7 to 15c
7 to 15c
7 to 15c
7 to 10c
7 to 10c
7 to 10c

7 to 15c

Total
Salea.

t 570.50
2,977.75
679.45
2,367.50
1,009.50
1,605.00

$9,209.70

98

OREGON FARMER

5^020 Acres

21 TO 80 ACRES

8 1 TO 1 60 ACRES

161 TO320 ACRES

OVER 320 ACRES

Percentages of Investment.

OREGON FARMER

FARM FINANCE.

By J. A. Bexell
Dean School of Commerce.

99

jHAT can I do in Oregon with a given capital? IIow much is
required to stock a farm in a given county? What income can
be expected on a given investment in a given locality?
These are questions of first importance to the prospective settler.
In this survey an attempt was made to find accurate answers to these
and many other questions regarding farm finance. The results are
found on pages 99 to 106. It should be remembered that all the tables
of results which follow are from the reports of average farmers with
average experience of about 12 years in their respective localities.
As explained on page 5, the aim of the survey was to secure reports
from farmers in average circumstances, and working under average
conditions in order that the results might show, not only what can be
done, but what are usual results on Oregon farms.

AVERAGE ACREAGE 1911-12.

Division.

'I

si

20
11
15
13
12
13

13

25
57
151
37
10
15

295

e a
eo o

«l

61

51
52
45
39
67

62

56

44
135
28
15
39

317

o n

134

133
120
140
141
146

131

■ o
o o,

^S

64

46
129
22
35
47

333

is

246

235
241
255
225
278

248

si

■ o

34

42
100
146
116

94

532

e
« n

Coast Division

3

36
35
26
10

3
113

fin?

Southern Oregon

812

Willamette Valley

549

Columbia Basin

2137

Blue Mountain

'?327

Central Oregon

1343

State

153Y

Average Acreage of Farms Reporting.

In tabulating the financial data, the farms were divided into five
groups, as follows: 5-20 acres, 21 to 80 acres, 81 to 160 acres, 161 to
320 acres, and over 321 acres. All the land owned is included in the
averages. The average acreage in each group is shoAvn in the above
table and it should be remembered, in reading the several financial
tables, that the results are based on the average acreage given under
each division. Thus the Coast Division averages are based on 13, 52,
131, 248 and 1,537 acre farms. The common claim that the small
farm is the most profitable is borne out by the table on page 104.

100 OREGON FARMER

AVERAGE VALUE OF DWELLING 1911-1912.

Division.

^1

ss

1^

n

•1

O 0,

n

oo,

6l

e
m «

u o

'^I

'"<

^=3

**<

^&

S<4

*.s

^^ ,

«5

O"^

Coast Division

3

$ 700

26

$ 994

64

$ 1289

50$ 1038

33 $ 1123

Southern Oregon.

32

1247

66

1177

44

1724

45 1666

42

1659

Willamette Valley.

35

1149

166

1216

130

1076

123 1509

99

1754

Columbia Basin...

23

1331

33

2096

28

1183

22 1046

143

1461

Blue Mountains. .

10

1320

9

1037

11

1073

30 1472

96

1804

Central Oregon. ..

3
106

633

14

691

37

629

46 689j

87

1289

State

$ 1204

282

$ 1303

304

$ 1176

316;$ 1240

500 $ 1649

Average Value of Dwelling.

The average value of the dwelling in different parts of the stale is of
interest chiefly because it indicates largely the state of development
in the different sections, and also what will probably be required of
the prospective settler in the different localities. In the state
averages, it does not appear that the size of the farm has much effect
on the value of the dwelling, the average being $1,204, Sl,303, 81,176,
$1,240, and $1,549 in the different sizes of farms. The variation is
considerable in the various divisions of the state, ranging from $533
in Central Oregon to $2,096 in the Columbia Basin.

AVERAGE VALUE OF LIVE STOCK 1911-12.

Division.

3
26
36
36

o 8

21-SO
Acres.

No. of
Reports.

81-160
Acres.

No. of
Reports.

161-320
Acres.

No. of
Reports.

Over 820
Acres.

Coast Division. . ..
Southern Oregon.
Willamette Valley.
Columbia Basin . .
Blue Mountain

$ 771

271
400
298

35

66

138

46

$ 1369 66
747 43
863 121
697 32

10

$ 2187 62 $ 2281 44 $ 4141
1594 45 1958 40 3039
1597 112 2195 90 3699
1603 30 1637 158 6551
4691: 26 2888 94 14007

Central Oregon. ..

3
102

333

14

766 38

2162 47 2676 90j 12836

State

$ 341

288

$ 878 310$ 1887 322$ 2266 616$ 8030

Value of Live Stock.

The live stock industry is one of the most important in Oregon. Its
general aspects are fully discussed by Professor Potter on page 15;
the dairy industry by Professor Kent on page 25; and poultry
husbandry on page 85 by Professor Dryden.

The above table shows the value of live stock on the several sized
farms. The state averages are $341, $878, $1,887, $2,255, and
$8,030, according to the several sizes of farms. These amounts are
3.6%, 4.7%, 8.2%, 8.1% and 14.9%, of the respective total invest-
ments, as shown in the table on page 108. When it is remembered
that the large farms greatly predominate, these rates are confirmed

OREGON FARMER

101

by the last census, which places the state average of live stock at 11.3
per cent, of the total value of farm property.

AVERAGE VALUE' OF IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY 1911-12.

Division.

^1
oR

^5
6 8,

^5

1-160
cres.

o. of
ports.

1-320
cres.

o. of
ports.

irer 320
cres.

^=1

^<

*5

**<

^^

«*< |»S|

^< a» o<

Coast Division. . ..

2

$ 100

25$ 28?' 66

$ 4371 52

$ 425 34 $ 532

Southern Oregon.

34

216

56

379 43

507; 44

853 40 721

Willamette Valley.

35

220

149

443 131

554

126

826 99 1127

Columbia Basin..

22

265

33

828 28

613

21 1

459 145 1641

Blue Mountain...

10

200

9

369 11

678

32

394 101 840

Central Oregon. ..

106

200

11

249 35

491

45

683 89 1227

State

$ 223

286

$ 448 304

$ 629

320^

\ 663

608 $ 1163

Value of Implements and Machinery.

A full discussion of farm management is found on page 33 by
Professor Scudder. In this connection, however, it is interesting to
note the report of the last census. On the subject of farm property
we read: "The total wealth of the state in form of farm property is
528 milUon dollars of which 86.2 per cent is represented in land and
buildings, 11.3 per cent by live stock, and 2 . 5 per cent by implements
and machinery." The percentage of implements and machinery is
remarkably close to those found in this survey on the different sized
farms. The state average in tables on pages 101 and 103 are as follows :
On a 5 to 20 acre farm the implements and machinery are 2.4 per
cent, of the total capital; on 21 to 80 acres, 2.4 per cent; 81 to 160
acres, 2.3 per cent; 161 to 320 acres, 2.4 per cent; and above 320
acres, 2.1 per cent. The averages are fairly uniform in the several
divisions of the state. The variations in the values of machinery
are, doubtless, due mainly to the different tjT^es of farming; and to
the variations in estimating value bv the different farmers. The
state averages are $223, $448, $529, $663, and $1,163, according to
the size of the farm, as shown in the above table.

AVERAGE GROSS INCOME 1911-12

Division.

6%,

o-g

. O !

o a

1-160
cres.

0. of
ports.

il

6 I

e
u o

*l

<

!

'*<

S5 « 1

1

-< «5

'^&

O"'!

Coast Division ....

3

% 786

25 $1743 66 $2176 64 $ 2163* 35'$ 2666

Southern Oregon.

35

1419

57

1880 43

3076 46

3991 41 5893

Willamette Valley.

36

1461

150

2474 131:

2970 125

3487 101 7800

Columbia Basin...

26

2399 33

5656 29

3318 22

5996 146 7674

Blue Mountain . . .

10

2580 9

3600i 14

2913 29

3638 102 7829

Central Oregon . . .

3
111

1617 14j

1462J 34

1891

45

1940 90 j 6133

State

$ 1738

290 $ 2625 307 1$ 2751

321

$3296 5161$ 6978

i

102

OREGON FARMER

Average Gross Cash Income.

The average gross income on the different sized farms is found in
the foregoing table. It is based on 1,544 reports. The smallest
farm averaging 13 acres, shows a cash income of 81,738.00, and the
largest, 532 acres, S6,938.00. The last average is based on the larger
number of reports, and may, therefore, be regarded as the most
reliable. The gross income includes only cash sales of products,
and, in a few instances, returns for outside labor. No account was
taken of the products used by the family, and sales of land and other
capital goods were excluded.

AVERAGE CAPITAL INVESTED 1911-12.

Division.

^2

0. of
ports.

1-80
cres.

0. of
ports.

1-160
cres.

O ft

O

S5^
P3

"*<!

"<

^^

ooO

*=<§

1

1

s«»l

o<

Coast Division. ..

3

$ 7471 25

$18976

55 $20776 53 $25357

34 $25323

Southern Oregon.

35

8391 56 14005

44 22807 45

40087

40

47254

Willamette Valley.

35

8774 150 16479

134 24607 126

31864

99

59922

Columbia Basin..

25

11590 35 37740

28 29789 22

25504

147

53154

Blue Mountain. . .

10

11060 9. 21058

11 32116i 30

18677

99

44153

Central Oregon.. .

3

112

7150

14 10595j

371 12827

47

15393

90

57156

State

$ 9406

289 S18648!

309 $23012

323 $27960

609

(53661

I

Average Investment.

In the capital invested is
included land, buildings, live
stock, implements, and a mod-
erate cash balance. Household
goods, automobiles, and per-
sonal property not connected
with, the business end of farming
are excluded. When the dwell-
ing was reported above a fair
proportion of the total invest-
ment, the excess was deducted,
since only a reasonable amount
should be charged to the busi-
ness. This often happened on
the small farms, where a §3,000
to 85,000 dwelling is not un-
common in some parts of the state. As will be seen from above
table, by far the greater part of the capital is invested in land.
As would be expected, this varies almost directly as the size of the
farm increases, even in spite of the high valuation of the land in
the small acreage farms.

OREGON FARMER
AVERAGE FAMILY EXPENSES 1911-12.

103

Division.

oR

■A S

o ft

Si

1-1 o

68.

Is

c ►«

1-< ^

6§.

0. of
ports.

ver 320
crea.

"<

^^

'^<

!

03 0

"^^

a<

^^ o<

Coast Division ...

3$

267

22$ 435

47$

423

50'$ 374' 33'$ 459

Southern Oregon

37

448

57

483 44

578 46; 588 42 479

Willamette Valley.

33

337

129

3821 117

357 103 441 83 424

Columbia Basin...

24

439! 31

444

25

433 21 478 141 739

Blue Mountain . . .

10

319

8

353

8

550 27 566 86 841

Central Oregon. ..

2

425

17

214

42i

320 46 323| 89 604

State

109$

394

264

$ 393

283$

409

292$ 452I 474$ 636

Average Family Expenses.

The family expenses include all items of cash outlay commonly
regarded as living expenses. The principal items were groceries and
clothing. A maximum of S50_was allowed for each of the follo\^^ng

classes of expenditures, if reported
at all: medical; recreation, includ-
ing traveling, and educational ex-
penses. Very much larger amounts
were reported in some cases for
this class of expenses, but they
iwere regarded extraordinary and
consequently reduced. In the
[majority of cases, the amounts
reported were less than $50 under
each class. There appears to be
a very slight difference between
the family expenses on the different
sized farms below 160 acres. The
state average of the next two large
classes of farms is S552 to $635 respectively. The above table gives
a complete summary of the reports.

A\

7ER£

LGE FAMILY INCOME 1911-12.

Division.

3

24

28

22

9

^5

21-80
Acres.

No. of
Reports.

81-160
Acres.

No. of
Reports.

^5
6l

o» eg

"a

Coast Division ....
Southern Oregon.
Willamette Valley.
Columbia Basin...
Blue Mountain. . .
Central Oregon. ..

$ 358

891

852

1709

1487

25 $ 857 53 $ 1179! 61
40 1134 29 1528 37
133 1511 119 1762 119
31 3751 23 1668 20
11 2138 14 1504 28
9i 780 30 1088 32

$ 1131
1959
1908
2373
1358
901

31
34
87
133
94
75

$ 1313
3447
4307
3841
4193
2834

86

State

$ 1132 249$ 1666 268$ 1524 287

$ 1644

464 3642

104

OREGON FARMER

Average Family Income.

The family incomes as shown in the table were obtained as follows:
From the net income, or the amount remaining after the business

expenses were deducted from the
gross income, was deducted the
the total living expenses, the re-
mainder being the net family in-
come. The total family expenses
were taken just as given by the
farmer, except that not more than
S50 was allowed for each of the
following: education, recreation,
and doctor bills. Expressed in
another way, the farmer was
allowed the living of himself and
family except that a limit of S50
was placed on recreation, education
and medical bills. No limit was
placed on clothing or household bills. Thus the family income includes
the interest on the capital invested and wages for the family labor.

In every case the per cent of net profit or loss was figured on the
value as given by the farmer; and in nearly every case the value was
about one-half greater than the value five years ago. In the case of
stock farms, a report often showed a large receipt for stock sold; or
a large payment for stock bought. In the absence of inventories at
the beginning and end of the year, it was impossible to tell what part
of the receipts from a sale was a profit and what part original cost.
For instance, a man could sell all his stock and show large receipts,
increasing the per cent gain for the year. But he would be making
an alleged profit by reducing his capital. It was considered that for
all persons interviewed, the total stock owned by them would be
constant, or about the same at the beginning as at the end of the
year. Also that the total sales less the total purchases would leave
the total net profit on the stock bought and sold by the stock raisers.
It is believed that the number averaged were sufficient to offset
possible errors in such cases.

AVERAGE RATE OF PROFIT, INCLUDING FAMILY LABOR 1911-12.

Division.

S8

o n
CO o

o5

No. of
Reports.

Over 320
Acres.

Coast Division ....
Southern Oregon.
Willamette Valley.
Columbia Basin . .
Blue Mountain . . .
Central Oregon. ..

3

23

28

22

9

%

4.37

7.70

7.37

10.22

14.28

26
40
132
32
10
9

%

4.92
8.41
8.36
7.97
8.89
7.04

62
29
117
22
13
27

%

6.63
4.84
7.00
8.46
7.41
8.74

50
37
116
19
28
31

6 96

5 07

6 80
9 90
6 68
6.49

31 6 00
34 6.71
84 6.19
132 8 77
92 8 24
71 4 46

State

86

9.06

248

7.96

260

6 99

281

6.68

444 7.09

OREGON FARMER

105

Averaire Rate of Profit and Family Labor.

The Oregon farmer is prosperous. He is making a good living and
a reasonable rate of interest on his investment. This is the central
fact which appears from the table herewith. It does not matter
which division is showing the largest rate of profit. That depends
largely on the valuation placed on the land, but the important fact
which appears evident is that in every section of the state, w^ell
managed farms are returning a satisfactory profit on the capital
invested.

It may be objected that since the rates given include the family
labor, in many cases, the rate of profit would be reduced to a minus
quantity were the family labor paid a reasonable wage. This would
doubtless be true in some instances, but would not hold as an average
of a large number of farms. The value of a comfortable living,
including dwelling, clothing, food, schooling, doctor bills and many
luxuries, and a fair allowance for recreation, is more than the average
mechanic enjoys in town, to say nothing of a steady increase in land
values. The last census shows a rise in land values of considerably
over 200% in every section of the state. (See table on page 107).

PROFIT \%\ 2'/o\ 3r°| ^-y^l S%\ 6 rH 7 r°

Qyc

9^0

10^1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

^^^^^ III II

" 1 1 1 1 ^^1

The average value of the dwellingj^as shown in the^table on page
100, would be more than double added. Ordinary driving veiucles
and horses, and many items of capital were included which no one
would think of charging to the operating expenses of any other kind
of business. To rent as good a home and save as much as the average
Oregon farmer has saved would require an* income far in excess of
the wages of an ordinary mechanic or small trader. Add_^to this
the joy of an independent vocation, and it must be admitted that
the average farm offers far greater advantages than most other voca-
tions.

It is not my purpose to enter into a discussion of the results found
in the different sections. The results are, of course, only close
approximations. One thing stands out clearly, and that is, the small
farm is the most profitable in many parts of the state while the larger
farm is the profitable unit in Eastern and Central Oregon.

Only one rate requires special explanation. I refer to the profit
of over fourteen per cent on the small farms in the Columbia Basin.
This must be due largely to a number of highly productive irrigated
farms in the Freewater, Milton, Cove, and Hood River districts.

106

OREGON FARMER

This is more fully explained under the horticultural section, page 71.
The principal reason for the high rate of profit on the small farms in
this section is, doubtless, due principally to irrigation, and to the
variety of many crops found on most of these small farms. On
page 82, is described two of these farms which illustrate this point.
For a graphical representation of the state averages, see table page 104.

STATISTICS ON BUSINESS METHODS 1911-12.

Division.

Reports showing
Bank Account.

Reports showing
Records Kept.

No.
Reports.

Per
Cent.

No.
Reports.

Per
Cent.

Coast Division

174
187
638
261
175
196

89
95
94
95
95
89

174
174
628
246
180
194

42

Southern Oregon

77

Willamette Valley

38

Columbia Basin

Blue Mountain

30
30

Central Oregon

33

State

1,521

93

1,496

48

Business Methods.

The claim that the farmer is more careless regarding his business
methods than any other class of business men was doubtless once
true, but there are indications that this condition is rapidly changing.
No other subject has received more attention in the last few years by
educators and economists throughout the United States than the
Business Side of Farming. Farm Credit and Finance have become
international issues; marketing and distribution of farm products are
receiving increased attention. Every educational institution from the
Agricultural College down to the cross road school is emphasizing
this important subject.

Two questions were asked in the survey for the purpose of ascertain-
ing the business methods of the Oregon farmer, and the reports were
truly surprising. The questions were : (1). Do you keep permanent
records of j'our business transactions? and (2) Do you keep a bank
account? Nearly 1,500 answers were secured to the first question
and 1,521 to the second. In the above table it appears that 93
out of every 100 farmers interviewed keep a bank accoimt, and that
48 out of every 100 keep some kind of financial records. This is a
showing of which Oregon may be justly proud; since it reflects in a
large measure the intelligence and character of the farming popula-
tion. Professor Warren, in his survey of Tompkins County, New
York, estimates that 45 per cent of the farmers in that county keep
records — a rather remarkable similarity of results as compared with
this survey.

This table also shows remarkable uniformity throughout
the state, especially in regard to banking practice, two divisions
showing 95%, one'^94% and two 89%. Southern Oregon shows a
decided lead in regard to record keeping.

OREGON FARMER

107

CO

<
Hi
Hi

o

Q

E^
O

OQ

sz;
o

Hi

Eh
(^
H

O

<J

Ph
Q

iz;
<i

ea

Pm
O

»
h)

00 04 (4 ooo^

M O N O Tjl o
t* (N 00 CO 1-H Til
tHWiH C^ C4 N

<A4

iH C^ 00 lO «o 00

« eo «D o th «o

tH lO C^ 1-1 tH

tH 1-1 05 C^ Cfl T-l

c<j th CO o •* eg

lO o to CO t- OS

Oa lO C<5 O »0 lO

<N 1-1

eg o eo iH iH e«
too oOiH o>ei

iH ei « 1-1 ei

q © eo W'-3 o

2 J^^H-^fS fi fl O

g 0) «2 +^ ^ o *> •Jt

O CJ S? ^H »;t

a>

^ O . ; • -sj _, Lj w

fl'^ ^ 0) S W o

o f* w P

o o >2 , • ^

,a o „

O ^ w

+3 C€

r; rj ^ j3 o

3og§
aj 05 +3 "*^

a> ;h Q) F^

■g-e*^ o»2 get:*!

. P! W 3 ^ O rt

-°^ as HI'S

o w > o w fe

© © M
r^r^ ©

"^oS®^Srt«aS
■3 2 2 w F-<

CO

dJ3aa°'3s'^w

o ,„ ^ «« ?! C! w 2

©^T3

Cd © 4-3

»- rt ^

C/J "^ ™^ fc4 " l-i

o©G_ ©
Is+a'g'O^ ^ ©'^ bo

©

.S4i

t>>

►jT O) -^ _ to '^ tT'^
S g :3 o ^^ . 43

108

OREGON FARMER

i^ti^

0)

P.E
O.E

UNITE
N.R

FC.6

0

in

<

li!l

0

>

ct

ou^ a.

-J

Azwsca: 1

—

uiAa'^'^

<

oloijiijj

in q; 0 w 0

GL'

i 1

r

ihdh

Every railroad company doing business In Oregon pays speeial attention to the
development of the agricultural industry in the State and works through all possible
channels for its encouragement. Every transportation company has exceptional
opportunities for the small farmer. They make liberal provision for handling the
products between railroad stations and consumers of the products in the cities.

OREGON FARMER 109

COUNTRY LIFE IN OREGON.

By ELECTOR Macphebson,
Professor of Economics.

TrjfN the tables accompanying this chapter, we have condensed the
^ main social facts brought out by the Preliminary Rural Survey
of our state. The critical student will see at a glance that the
material is too scanty to afford the basis for a very satisfactory
discussion of country life. In fact, life in either country or city,
in Oregon as elsewhere, is too big and too complex to be reduced
to such simple statistical form. Valuable material may be so expressed ;
but the collection of adequate statistical information on country life
would entail an investigation much broader in scope and more
minute in detail than the Oregon Statistical Bureau was able to
undertake in this preliminary survey.

However, every field man was required to write up a general
report on each neighborhood visited; and, while the information
contained in these reports is not of a nature which admits of tabula-
tion, it contains many interesting side-lights on country life in all
parts of the state.

Besides, the writer has freely used such material as was available
from the recently published Oregon Almanac, advance sheets of
the 1910 Census, Histories of Oregon, and personal interviews with
men familiar with country life in all parts of the state.

The People and Their Heritage.

The essential factors in the upbuilding of a high type of rural
civilization are two: the environment and the people. Both these
factors are equally important. In a harsh, barren and unproductive
country, the finest human type cannot be developed in sufficient
numbers to make social progress possible. On the other hand, the
most bountiful natural resources, may go to waste for ages under the
control of an unprogressive population.

In both the elements essential to progress, Oregon is already
richly endowed. In natural resources, she has a splendid heritage.
Of her immense area of 97,699 square miles, it is estimated that there
are about 23,000,000 acres suited to agriculture. A glance at the
accompanying diagram and explanatory key will show the present
distribution of Oregon's land area.

In all probability, the time will come when half of this 61,000,000
acres will be carefully cultivated. At least, when one thinks of the
beautifully terraced hillsides in the mountain districts of Italy,
Switzerland, France, and Germany, one cannot but have a vision
of our Western Oregon foothills clothed in fruitful trees, vines and
shrubs; and imagine he hears the mountains ringing with the shouts
and laughter of a healthy, freedom loving, population.

But with 23,000,000 acres of arable land to till, we shall have little
reason to resort to terraced hill-sides for many years to come. On an

OREGON FARMER

9

S^

59^

.\0

!? ^'

<^\p^

N*^

^H/(

ThiROS

AN^'

'®-323.4-8^

K

0:)

area of less than 10,000,000 acres of much poorer land Denmark
has built up one of the most prosperous nations in the world, with
a population four times as great as we now have in Oregon.
But the reader who has weighed the facts of the preceding chapters,
will have been convinced that Oregon is capable of supporting ten
times its present population, without at all crowding its splendid
natural resources.

Possessing one-fifth of the standing timber of the United States,
vdth fisheries returning over S6,000,000 last year, with mineral
resources of undoubted value though largely unexplored, and having
streams with 3,300,000 electrical horse power waiting to be harnessed,
surely Oregon's agriculture ought to be well supported by other
industries giving encouragement to the fullest utiUzation of her
agricultural resources by markets right at home.

OREGON FARMER 111

Climate.

Along with her fertile soil and abundant natural resources, the
climate of Oregon is an attraction to people of the East. Those who
have breasted the cyclone, braved the flood, hibernated through
frigid winters, and panted in the shade through sweltering summers,
are sure to welcome a change to the genial winters and cool bracing
summers of Oregon. To be sure, some complain of the rainy months
of the Western Oregon winter. Some even return after the first
year to their old home in the East; but in nine cases out of ten,
they find their former haunts have lost their charm, and they return
to Oregon poorer but wiser men.

Let them but remain a couple of winters, until the proverbial
web has begun to unite the toes of each foot into a congenial group,
then they will never be anything else but Western Oregonians.
They turn blue under two degrees of frost, shiver at the thought of
an Eastern winter, and blossom out in rosy cheeks during the steady
rains of December and January. In fact, we are all agreed out here
that rain suits us much better than snow. It makes the kale heads
large and succulent for our poultry and dairy cows. It keeps the
grass on our hillsides fresh and green to delight the eye, and feed
our flocks of sheep and Angora goats. Should anyone, however,
wish to escape the winter rains, he has but to cross the Cascades.
Here he will find a climate combining the best features of the East,
but free alike from its sweltering heat and benumbing cold.

Another feature of the Oregon chmate which appeals to most
Eastern people is its freedom from dangerous or damaging storms.
The man who has braved the tornado and breasted the flood, will
find here a haven where even severe electrical storms seldom or
never occur.

No better commentary could be required on the chmate of Oregon
than is afforded by the health statistics of her population. According
to the report of Dr. Calvin S, White, Secretary Oregon State Board
of Health, "Oregon ranks highest among the states of the Union
in the low rate of mortality, the annual death rate for the year 1911,
for Portland, where the official record is kept, being 9.47 per 1000 of
population". Again he says: "Our infant mortality is almost
incredibly low, and the boy or girl born into Oregon has every likeh-
hood of attaining a ripe old age."

The People of Oregon.

It has been said that there is no other western state in which the
Easterner feels so much at home as he does in Oregon. Such a state-
ment contains both truth and falsehood. It is true that the wild-
ness and wooliness of the frontier, which has left certain marks of
its'crudity upon a large part of our American West, made httle or
no impression on Oregon. It is also noteworthy that in the serious
moral tone of its inhabitants, Oregon compares favorably with the
most straight-laced sections of the East.

112 OREGON FARMER

But when we come to sound the undercurrents of Oregon life,
we find that it parts company radically with life in the East. Oregon
people are just as moral as those of the older Eastern states; but
have less of prudishness. They are more courteous, on the average,
but less snobbish. They support what is best in the institutions
of the East, but refuse to be enslaved by the machinery of those
institutions. Oregonians are fairly conservative; but they never
bar progress by a reverence for what is old merely because it is old.
Nor do they condenm the new for no other reason than that it is
new.

In brief, we may say that when an institution or a law is honestly
framed to blaze out new trails for the pathway of progress, it will
look long ere it finds more sympathetic and intelligent consideration
than it will receive from the people of Oregon.

To realize the truth of these bald statements, it will be necessary
to recall a few facts of Oregon history. First of all, we must remem-
ber that, paradoxical as it may seem, Oregon is an old new state.
Six years before the discovery of gold had started the indiscriminate
throngs of fortune hunters on their mad race for California, the basis
for Oregon's population was being laid under much more favorable
circumstances.

The latter thirties and earUer forties, saw the rapid settlement
of the Middle West and South West which followed the opening of
the Erie Canal, and the development of steam navigation on the
Mississippi. It was an era of scant markets and an oversupply of
agricultural products. The people were restless; and the westward
impulse was strong in every breast. Glowing accounts of lands
nearer the setting sun, and especially of the almost unkno-wTi Oregon
country, stirred impulse into action.

Moved as by a common instinct, there assembled in the spring
of 1843, at Independence, Missouri, a band of about 875 men, women,
and children, eager to set out for the land beyond the mountains.
They began their journey May 20, 1843, and in the fall of that year
the advance guards descended upon their land of promise, the Will-
amette Valley.

Although stragglers and small groups had settled in Oregon
previous to this migration, the influx of 1843 marks the real beginning
of the American occupations of the territory then under dispute
between Great Britain and the United States. The year 1844 saw
about 1400 more Americans added to their ranks; and the following
year, they were joined by a new influx of about 3,000 men, women
and children.

Whatever may be our convictions on some of the much disputed
points of this period of our history, it seems to me that we must
acknowledge this tide of immigration to have been an element in
settling this question of ownership of the Oregon country. But
apart from whatever influence it may have had in determining the

OREGON FARMER 113

question of the flags, this immigration was a momentous occurrence
in moulding the future of the North West and especially of Oregon.

It provided the ancestry for a large proportion of our present
population. It laid the foundation for that serious moral purpose-
fulness which is one of the distinctive characteristics of Oregonian
character.

On this foundation stock for the Oregon breed of men and women,
F. V. Holman, in his "Dr. John McLoughlin", (p. 84), writes as
follows: "A great majority of the immigrants to Oregon from 1843
to 1846, inclusive, and some of the later immigrants, were from the
Southern States. They, and their ancestors for many generations,
had been born and brought up in the South. Most of them had
the good qualities and were of the high type of American citizenship
characteristic of the white people of the South. They were mostly
plain people, but they and their ancestry were of good class. Theirs
was an inheritance of indomitable will, high courage and noble
purposes. Their ancestors had conquered, settled, and upbuilded
the country from the seaboards of Virginia and the Carolinas to the
Mississippi River. Oregon was another land to conquer, to settle
and to upbuild".

These earliest settlers took their choice of the best lands, and
their descendants now form a large percentage of the wealthier,
more conservative elements in our population. They have pros-
pered and multiplied, until, their children and children's children
are to be found in every walk of life. Although many of the younger
generation have alligned themselves with the progressive forces of
the state, we are inclined to give much of the credit for Oregon's
aggressive application of the principles of democracy to the newer
elements of our population.

After almost a half century of comparative neglect, Oregon has
within the past ten or fifteen years, begun again to attract the atten-
tion of homeseekers. It is putting it conservatively, I think, to
assert that she has been getting an exceptionally large proportion
of the most desirable citizens. Business men, professional men,
and college graduates, from far and near, have been buying land and
settling down to build for themselves country homes in Oregon.
Many of them, to be sure, have been deluded into false hopes by the
exaggerated claims of speculating land companies. But even these,
after the first revulsion of feeling, have frankly recognized the solid
worth of the state. They have brought their education and business
training to bear upon the problems of our rural life in a way which
will ultimately place the progress of Oregon on a much firmer basis
than would have been possible in any such get-rich-easy Utopia as
the land speculators depicted.

The greatest need of Oregon today is for a denser rural population.
With an estimated arable area of 23,000,000 acres, we have, as
indicated by the accompanying diagram, a total rural population of
only 337,000, an average of 3.6 persons to the square mile for the whole

114

OREGON FARMER

Rural Population of Oregon by Counties

Distribution ofRuralPopulation

337OOOPOPULATION ON LAND OR IN VILLAGES OF 300
POPULATION OR LESS

EACH DOTC«) ■.; CA'CS lOOO POPULATION

state, including those living in villages of 300 inhabitants or under.

But even this does not tell the whole story. Referring again to

the statistical map of rural population, ^\e notice that the_majority

Columbia River drainage area larger than the thirteen original states, except Georgia.

OREGON FARMER 115

of our rural dwellers are located in a comparatively small section
of the state. This means a still greater sparsity of population over
most of our rural area.

These facts about our population must be constantly borne in
mind as we proceed to treat the other factors which enter into the
make-up of our rural life.

Communication and Transportation.

At the foundation of the systems of communication and trans-
portation of any country lies its public highways. This is a fact
which has as yet taken hold of the people in but a very small per-
centage of our American states. At this very moment the Chicago
newspapers are carrying on a campaign for better roads in Cook
County. Cartoonists are depicting horses mired, and vehicles
up the axles in mud. We assure the truck gardener from around
Chicago, that if he should cast his lot Avith us on the Pacific Coast he
will be able to find some pieces of road in Oregon just as bad as those
of Cook County. Should he become very homesick he might drive
through one of our worst pieces. He'll have no difficulty in imagining
that home and mother are waiting for him at the other end of the
haul, as so often happened near Chicago.

Highway construction in Oregon has its difficulties to contend
with. But it also has certain advantages. The hilly nature of the
country through the coastal range and other mountainous sections
presents the difficulty of steep grades to overcome. On the other
hand, the slopes give a natural drainage which prevents the mountain
roads from becoming wallowing quagmires such as frequently occur
in the valleys and on the plains. Then, too, there are few parts of
Oregon which have not fairly easy access to materials for road
building.

The good roads movement is gaining ground in Oregon, as it is
in every other state. The chief obstacles to be overcome are, lack
of interest in the older sections, and sparseness of population in
newer districts. At present, practically all the settlements of the
state are reached by public highways of some sort; while many of
the more progressive and thickly settled rural communities have
macadamized their principal highways. The foremost men in the
new rural fife movement see the necessity of some unified scheme
of highway improvement for the whole state, and are working toward
that end. The Oregon Almanac gives the amount spent in highway
improvement for the whole state, at approximately Sll,754,757 for
for the six year period, 1906-1912.

The map on page 108 shows at a glance the present railway situation
in Oregon. As indicated, large areas of the state are still in their
stage coach days, while the Willamette Valley is fairly laced with
railways.

The old adage, "it never rains but it pours" is well illustrated here
as well as in the northern part of the state. Those sections which

116

OREGON FARMER

are best provided with railways have also abundant facilities for
transportation by water. The Columbia is na\igable throughout
the year as far as The Dalles, and the Willamette to Salem. Except
for the period of low water, both rivers have regular service for much
longer distances. For about nine months of the year the Columbia
is navigable to Priest Rapids, Washington, and to Lewiston, Idaho;
while the regular seivice of the Willamette reaches Corvallis, except
during low water.

However, the best settled sections of the state have regular trans-
portation facilities for agricultural products by either rail or water;
and as fast as other areas are sufficiently developed, present lines
are being extended and new ones built.

Postal Service and Telephone.

SOCIAL STATISTICS— A.

Rural Free i

Buttermaking by

Nationality.

Delivery. |

Telephone.

Wt)men at Home.

Diviaion.

No. of

-No. of

No. of

No. of

Reports.

Am.

For.

Reports.

Yes

No

Reports.

Yes

No

Reports.

Yes

62

No

Coast Division. . .

172

123

49

176

87

89

175

137

38

125

63

Southern Oregon.

207

lfi9

38

238

134 104

246

201

45

329

164

65

Willamette Valley

491

366

125

494

399 95

546

500

46

513

429

84

Columbia Basin. .

242

219

23

203

80i 123

204

168

36

191

150

41

Blue Mountain.. .

162

141

21

189

771 112

183

153

30

115

99

16

Central Oregon.. .

209

165

44

169

58

113

186

102

84

179

126
1030

53

Stat«

1483

1183

300

1469 833

636

1540

1261

279

1352

322

The eagerness with which Oregon farmers improve their means
of communication is well illustrated by the above statistics on the use
of the rural telephone and Rural Free Delivery. It is interesting to
note the large number of farms visited in all parts of the state which
make use of the rural telephone. Even in the most sparsely settled
divisions of the state, a large percentage of the farmers are in actual
speaking contact with the outside world. Roads may be bad, and
distances too great to admit of postal rural free delivery of mail; but
along the lines of privately or mutually owned telephones, the news
of the outside world penetrates the remotest neighborhoods. The
farmer and his family are often alive to the topics of the day long
before the information could reach him by the slower method of the
local post office.

In but few sections of Oregon, need the settler long face the deaden-
ing isolation which formerly confronted the pioneer. Into all parts
of the state the rural telephone is carrying its message of cheer and
social unity. Following it is the rural free delivery with its parcel
post service which further cements the'farmer to the world of thought
and industry of which he forms a part. A study of the above table
in connection with the Division Map of the state, page 7, tells the
story more eloquently than it could be expressed in words.

OREGON FARMER 117

Educational Facilities.

SOCIAL STATISTICS— B.

Access to

Access to

Agriculture Influence of

Division.

Library.

High School.

Taught. Church Increasing.

No. of

No. of

No. of

1 No. of

Reports.

Yes
60

No

Reports.

Yes

72

No

Reports.

Yes
40

No ! Reports.

Yes J No

Coast Division...

96

36

158

86

88

48 64

42' 22

Southern Oregon.

119

61

58

177

96

81

75

7

68 105

95 10

Willamette Valley

462

379

83

468

321

147

244

64

180 322

284 38

Columbia Basin. .

197

108

89

235

161

74

179

74

ia5 105

81 24

Blue Mountain...

149

105

44

143

99

44

76

13

63! 87

72 15

Central Oregon. . .

195

169

882

26

187

76
825

111

1.59

43
241

116 111

89 22

State

1218

336

1368

543

869

628 794

663 131

There is little excuse for any child's gromng up illiterate in Oregon.
A little work among the figures of the Thirteenth Census ^w\\\ show-
that she ranks high among the states of the Union, both in the number
of her teachers and in her annual expenditures for education, in
proportion to her population. As the "Oregon Almanac" puts it:
"Oregon, ranking thirty-fifth in population, ranks twenty-third in
amount of salaries paid to teachers, and twenty-first in the total
expenditures for public school purposes, in the latter respect ranking
ahead of the great states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, and South Dakota,
each of which contains a much larger population." For the year 1911,
Oregon employed 4,969 teachers, spent $2,659,727 in salaries, and
made a total expenditure for educational purposes of $5,731,902.

The standard of the common schools is being raised every year, a
more thorough training is being demanded of our teachers, and
efforts are being made as never before to correlate education and
life work. Of the high schools, more are offering a full four year
course; and each year sees a larger number of them offering
scientific agriculture as a part of their regular work.

Referring to "Social Statistics" B, above, we notice that, of
1,368 families reporting, 825 had access to a high school; and of
these, 241 reported agriculture as one of the regular subjects taught.

Higher education in Oregon is amply provided for in its State
University at Eugene, and the Agricultural College at Corvallis.
Both of these schools are progressive, and are working on the Wis-
consin plan of carrying education right to the homes of the people.
An Extension Educational Bill, passed by the last session of the
Legislature, the provisions of which are carried out jointly by the
State Department of Education and the Agi'icultural College, places
Oregon in the front rank among the states in the democratization of
education. It is so planned as to reach practically every man,
woman, and child in the state.

Besides, Oregon possesses in Reed College of Portland a richly
endowed independent school of Hberal arts, which aims at the very
highest standards, and is already having an appreciable influence on
the educational policy of the state. Then, for those who prefer to
s«nd their children to a denominational school, Oregon can supply

118

OREGON FARMER

Oregon's educational system ofiers an opportunity for every class, from tha kinder-
garten to the education that stands for culture. Co-ordinate with the system of the
three R's are the manual training and trade schools of the larger cities. The crowning
feature of its industrial education is the Oregon Agricultural College. It stands for
the highest development of the rich agricultural resources of the state through an edu-
cated hand and head. It offers educational opportunities to all workers.

OREGON FARMER

119

them with almost any brand they like to name. In fact, I think one
would have to look around a good deal in order to find a section of
country more thickly dotted with denominational colleges than is
the Willamette Valley. A study of the following chart of edu-
cational Institutions in Oregon will make this clear, besides setting
forth a bird's eye view of educational conditions throughout the
state.

The Influence of The Church.

Turning again to the table, "Social Statistics" (B) (table, page 117),
we notice the astounding fact that of 794 reports on the influence
of the rural church in Oregon, 663, or 86 per cent claim that the
church is gaining ground in its influence upon rural life.

There are several reasons for this favorable report. In the first
place, rural Oregon has never been subjected to anything like the
amount of duplication of churches which disgraces the very name of
Christianity in many of the older states. In the second place, there
are few states where the average intelligence is higher. People in
Oregon are more prone to subject their comdctions to the scrutiny
of reason, rather than take them ready made from others. Hence,
the religious crank w^th his manifold brands of salvation, like the
political spellbinder, the eloquent mouthpiece of the machine, has
never been taken so seriously in Oregon as in other states.

In fact, we believe there is enough independence and intelligence
in Oregon to blaze the way for a new rural church. It shall be a
church in which service shall count instead of dogma, a church which
shall find in living problems an inspiration and a dynamic force
which stories of a dead past have long ceased to supply.

Some beginnings of the new era are already to be discerned.
One of the most notable is the federation of three of the old time
denominations of the small town of Independence in a single church
corporation. Three weak competing churches united their forces,
and hired a good man to be their spiritual leader in a capacity which
is impossible for any paid advocate of a sect or creed. What Inde-
pendence has accomplished other rural communities can also do.
Few other movements could accomplish more for rural life than
church federation.

SOCIAL STATISTICS— C.

Societies for

Organizations for

Associations for

Societies for

Women.

Material

Social

Social

Division.

Improvement.

Entertainment.

Intercourse.

No. of

No. of

No. of

No. of

Report*.

Vea
35

No

Reports.

Yes
105

No

Reports.

Yes

62

No I Reports.

Yes

67

No

Coast Division. .

\U

99

165

fiO

88

?f)

83

16

Southern Oregon.

200

79

121

201

127

74

92

68

24

50

38

1?

Willamette Valley

468

307

161

493

354

139

335

276

59! 335

?R4

51

Columbia Basin. .

215

109

106

222

175

47

156

93

63 156

P?

64

Blue Mountain.. .

168

60

108

182

87

95

68

45

13! 63

5?

11

Central Oregon.. .

172

65
655

107

142

56
904

86

179

108
652

71 169

114
647

55

State

1357

702

1405

601

908

266

956

207

120 OREGON FARMER

Other Rural Organizations.

Besides the church with its women's auxiliaries, and other sub-
sidiary organizations, Oregon has quite a variety of clubs, societies,
and fraternities, which profess to be grappling with the problems
of the farmer.

In the table, "Social Statistics" (B), (page 117), we have condensed
a summary of the chief facts concerning such organizations. In
the column headed "j^es" are indicated the famihes whose members
are affiliated with some such association; while under "no" we have
the number of families where no such affiliation exists. An analysis
of the figures shows that a large percentage of the families are
united with associations for material and mental improvement or
social intercourse.

The dominant rural organizations are the Grange and The Farmer's
Educational and Co-operative Union. The former claims upwards
of 10.000 members, and the latter about 5,000 members in the state.
Both claim economic functions as well as educational activities.
In practice, however, the Grange specializes more in educational
programs, and meetings for social intercourse; while the Union is
predominantly a business organization. Both associations admit
women to membership as well as men; and through their harmonious
legislative policy, they are coming to be a power in advancing the
rural interests of the state.

Without further description of farmer's organizations, we may
close by warning farmers against division in their ranks. If we are
to have a strong, progressive rural poHcy in Oregon, we must have
a harmoniously organized rural population. They must stand
together as one man for better farming, better business, better rural
education.

Summary.

In Oregon, then, we find conditions varying all the way from the
log hut of the pioneer to the modern farm dwelling which would
grace the best residence districts of our cities. Everywhere, we find
a sturdy population, above the average in intelligence, and strongly
supporting American standards of life and the best American ideals.

In the furtherance of those ideals, we find them progressive to a
degree. Oregon has woman suffrage, and is the home of direct
legislation, the initiative, referendum and recall. The progressive
spirit of her citizens is further shown in the readiness of Oregon
farmers to imite and work together for their mutual improvement,
politically, socially, economically, and intellectually.

Finally, Oregon's population does not lack elbow room in any sense
of the word. They have as yet scarcely explored their wonderful
natural resources; and they have a climate which neither benumbs
by its cold, ennervates by its heat, nor terrifies by earthquake, storm,
or flood.

OREGON FARMER 121

THE OREGON RURAL HOME.

By Henrietta W. Calvin,
Dean School of Domestic Science and Art.

/WT the time at which this preliminary Agricultural Survey was
)j^ started it was not intended to include any special data in regard
to the Oregon rural home. Therefore our statistics are rather
meager and much of that which will herein follow is based upon
observation personally made in the various parts of the state rather
than on the statistics.

There are a number of conditions essential to the contentment and
welfare in rural homes; comfortable and sanitary houses equipped
as far as possible with modern conveniences; possibihties for the
women of the household to meet other women who are similarly
located; organizations for social and intellectual betterment;
opportunities for the members of the household to be able to converse
and receive information over telephones and daily receive news from
the outside world; possibilities for the children to acquire a good
fundamental education without leaving home and for all members
of the family to have the opportunity of social intercourse wath their
families; and that, arrangements by which the manual labor be
so provided for that no member of the household shall be exhausted
physically or so constantly occupied that there is not time for intellec-
tual or social improvement.

The country houses represent very naturally three stages in their
evolution. The first dwelling of the new settler, in any community,
is of the smallest and most temporary t}T)e that "will protect him and
his family from the elements. It is usually quickly constructed,
located near to the road and often the proximity to a kno^\^l water
supply is the most essential matter to be considered. The first home
is not always convenient but often represents both hope and happiness
because it is recognized as a symbol of the first beginning of a new
life which offers great opportunities.

The average cost of dwelling, as exhibited in chart in financial
report of this volume, is but $533.00 in Central Oregon. This
portion of the state is of the most recent development and these
homes are often in their first stages of evolution. There is another
reason for the low cost of these dwellings which is that they are
constructed from local building materials which can be purchased
cheaply or prepared on the homestead.

After a few years, more rooms are added to the first small structure
and there is a gradual betterment and general improvement of
surroundings. This enlarged country home is comfortable. Though
it may not be particularly convenient it often meets the more pressing
needs of the family and many of the really important events of the
family take place \\nthin its walls. It so thoroughly represents to
all of the family the real home that it is not strange that this second

122 OREGON FARMER

dwelling remains long after the land owner is financially able to
replace it by a better type of dwelling. In the interim between the
second form of farm home and the permanent one there is a marked
improvement in the barns, granaries, machine sheds and other
farm structures so that the houses seem over-shadowed by the fine
barns.

By the exhibit before referred to, it will be seen that the average
value of the rural dweUing is from Sl,204.00 to Sl,549.00. The cost
of the dwelling increasing slightly \nth the increased acreage of
of the homestead. Those homes are in the second stage of develop-
ment.

In many parts of Oregon this second form of dweUing predominates
because the state is still new, but in all localities the third type, the
permanent dwelling, is making its appearance.

The S3,000.00 to S5,000.00 farm dwelling is a not infrequent sight
in all parts of the state, especially in those portions which have been
longest settled.

In no other part of the country can modem, convenient and up-
to-date houses be more cheaply erected. There is a large part
of the state of so mild a climate that the houses do not have to be
warmly constructed. In most parts of the Willamette Valley and
Southern Oregon districts, it is possible to introduce running water
through the house by the mere diversion of mountain streams.
It is even more easy in the homes of the Coast region than for those
in any other part of the state to thus introduce water through the
house. In many parts of Central Oregon the water rises within four
feet of the top of the ground, and where it is necessary in such
localities to elevate the water, this elevation can be done by wind-
mills which method is neither difficult nor excessively expensive.
Special emphasis is here placed on introducing the essential city
conveniences in the rural house, because it is an accepted fact, that
often families leave the farm and take up ur]:)an residences because
of the desire of the women of the household for the same household
comforts which are obtainable for her city sister. With the abund-
ance of water power in all parts of Oregon, it is but a question of a
few years when cooperative organizations of the farmers will utilize this
power for the introduction of electricity in their homes. With the
well constructed houses which are becoming increasingly numerous
in all parts of the state, with these houses supplied with running
water, baths, furnaces, and good artificial light, the first essential
condition of the satisfactory rural home ^vill have been met.

It will be observed that from the statistics as set forth in the
following portion of this report, 25% of the women of the Coast
division belong to women's clubs or associations for women, 39% of
those in Southern Oregon and 63% of those in the Willamette Valley
have similar affiliations. Fifty per cent of the women in the Columbia
Basin, 38% in the Blue Mountain region, 37% in Central Oregon,
belong to women's organizations, while a much higher percentage
belong to societies in which both men and women take part. The

OREGON FARMER 123

newness of Central Oregon and the large size of the ranches account
in no small degree for the comparatively low percentage of women
who are able to belong to social organizations. With the rapid
increase of settlement in that region, it is predicted that ^nthin a
few years these organizations mil multiply rapidly. Many more
women could belong to these clubs if their interest were once awak-
ened. Women are naturally conservative and they permit family
duties to so engross them that they may neglect neighborly associa-
tions. That 75% of all the women thus represented in these
statistics have access to hbraries, that 61% of those famihes are
accessible to high schools, while 56% receive daily deUveries of mail,
and 80% have telephones, all goes to show that the Oregon homes are
not isolated from the world.

There are almost no statistics indicating the type of occupation
in these houses. It is safe to conclude that much of the poultry
raising is done by women and that there is much farm dairying
practiced. The making of the butter on the farm is always a prelim-
inary condition to the establishment of creameries, so that within
a few years the farm woman will be relieved of the butter making,
and the cream will be handled in local creameries or sent to the cities.

Poultry raising is generally proving profitable and men are begin-
ning to appreciate this "farm crop," Soon the burden of the care
of the poultry will in part at least, pass to the men on the farm and
the women be relieved of much of this labor.

That the families living on large farms live better, is to be doubted,
though the table elsewhere given might be taken to indicate this.
The higher expenses of the family on the homestead is accounted for
in one of several ways. The small farm often produces much of its
own food supphes while the large ranches are often specialized to the
production of stock. It is possible also that the owner of the large
ranch more often entertains outsiders than does the owner of the
small homestead.

The charts indicate that but an average of $50.00 per family was
spent for recreation, medicine, etc. It is probable that the greater
portion of this was expended for other purposes than medicine. The
climatic conditions are so favorable for health that it would not be
expected that much would be devoted to medical attendance.

It is so easy for families to spend delightful vacations in the
mountains or by the sea shore that it is not strange that every one
does some inexpensive camping each year.

The conclusion is that the conditions are all favorable for satis-
factory rural homes being established in all parts of Oregon.

To find out what success the ordinary farmer has attained,
study these statistics. What the ordinary man has done
on an average, is a safe guide as to what the average, indus-
trious newcomer can accomplish. Here are the unvarnished
facts. Scrutinize them closely.

124 OREGON FARMER

TYPICAL SUCCESSFUL FARMS.

By E. B. Lemon,
Assistant Statistician.

/ytKHE State of Oregon contains 96,699 square miles or approxi-
Vtl/ mately 62,000,000 acres. It embraces a larger territory than
the combined area of the six New England states, Maryland
and New Jersey. The two largest of its thirty-four counties cover
an area equal to the States of Maryland and Vermont, while its
smallest county is nearly one-half as large as Rhode Island. Accord-
ing to the Census of 1910, the average size Oregon farm is 255 acres,
although the state has a single farm one-fourth the area of Rhode
Island and a large number ranging in size from one-thirtieth to
one-fifteenth of that entire state.

In this vast area within the Oregon boundary, physical and climatic
conditions vary considerably. To describe farms typical of all these
divisions and conditions would require a book of itself. However, as
indicated on page 7, the state naturally falls into six divisions
as far as topography is concerned. Even in these divisions conditions
are diversified, but it is possible to find a large number of farms
which are typical of the general characteristics of numerous successful
farms of the respective localities. It is, therefore, the purpose of
this article to briefly describe one farm of this type in each of the
six divisions mentioned above.

The Coast Division, which extends across the entire western
portion of the state, is devoted largely to the dairying industry.
General farming is engaged in to some extent, and farms devoted
to stock raising exclusively are not uncommon. Some localities
are also giving considerable attention to fruit growing. The latter
industries, however, give way to the first mentioned in importance,
for the coast region is admirably adapted to dairying.

Coast Division.

The survey of the Coast Division indicates that the leading farms
contain about 160 acres. In all, 176 farms were visited and of this
number 56 contain between 81 and 160 acres and 55 between 161
and 320 acres. It is also interesting to note that it is these farms
which are paying the highest rate of interest on the capital invested.
This being the case, and also since dairying is the leading industry
in the Coast Region, farm Number Three will be described as being
typical of this division.

Farm Number Three contains 150 acres of which 50 are in cultiva-
tion, 25 in meadow, and 75 in pasture. The pasture is mostly hilly,
while the portion in cultivation is bottom land, the soil being clay
loam. The average market value of this land, including a SI, 200
dwelling and an equal amount invested in other buildings, was
estimated by the owner to be $175 an acre, making a total real estate
investment of $26,250. However, the principal source of profit is a

OREGON FARMER 125

herd of 23 grade cows, headed by a pure bred Jersey sire. During
the year covered by the survey the milk produced by this herd
returned $2,070. This is a greater return per cow than the average
of the community, but is doubtless due to the fact that the product is
manufactured into cheese on the farm and shipped direct to the Port-
land markets. The male calves were killed as soon as dropped, but
eleven heifers were added to the herd, and at the end of the year were
valued at $30 each, or a total of $330. This increased the gross
income to $2,400 from a herd valued at $1,685.

Fifteen head of other cattle were disposed of for $750. Fifteen
hogs were also marketed for which $230 was received. These hogs
were raised and fattened almost entirely on pasture, artichokes and
by-products of the dairy, only about $40 worth of other feed being
used in preparing them for the market.

Practically all the field crops raised are used for feed. In the
year which we are considering, 25 acres of clover meadow yielded an
average of two and one-half tons per acre; three acres of oat hay
yielded three and one-half tons per acre; the two acres planted to
kale returned forty tons, and one-half acre of potatoes yielded 100
bushels, of which 50 bushels were marketed at the rate of one and
one-fourth cents per pound. The average yield of potatoes in this
section, however, is about 300 bushels per acre. An interesting
experiment is being carried on with artichokes and the results obtained
thus far indicate that they will prove most successful. Although the
acreage planted has been small, the yield has been exceptionally
heavy, and good results have been obtained by feeding the green
stocks to the dairy cows and then letting the hogs harvest the tubers.

The home garden supphes the family with all of the vegetables
desired, but no attempt is made to grow any for the market. A few
small fruits are growTi quite successfully, but very little attention is
given to this phase of the farm. The same is true of the poultry
department. About thirty Plymouth Rock hens are kept, all
produce being consumed by the family.

After considering the sources of profit and the results, it is now
time to turn our attention to the cost of production. Two men,
two horses, and implements and machinery valued at $1,000 are
required to operate Farm Number Three. The capital invested,
including land and buildings, $26,250, Uve stock $2,519, and
machinery $1,000, is $29,769. As would naturally be expected, the
largest item of expense is for hired labor, $500 being required for this
purpose. Other expenditures in order of importance are as follows:
Household $420; taxes $135; feed purchased $130; and miscellaneous
items $80; making the total cost of production, irrespective of family
labor, $1,265. Subtracting this amount from $3,087.50, the total
receipts, a net balance of $1,822.50 remains, or in other words, a
return of over six per cent, on the capital invested.

Summarizing these results, then, we find that in 1911, Farm
Number Three represented an invested capital of $26,250; gross

126 OREGON ^FARMER

receipts $3,087.50; total expenditures SI, 265.00; family income
$1,822.50, or a return of 6.1 per cent on the capital invested.

Willamette Valley.

The Willamette Valley presents conditions even more diversified,
for nearly every agricultural industry of importance in the state can
be found to some extent, at least, in this division. Although there is
an apparent gro^\■ing tendency to specialize along certain lines, the
general farms still predominate. These vary in size from five to one
thousand acres, and a few are even larger than the latter class.
However, the figures obtained during the survey indicate that the
average size valley farm comprises between two hundred and three
hundred acres.

Farm Number Ten, located in Benton County, is typical of the
successful Willamette Valley farms. It represents an investment of
$17,285 which comprises 250 acres of land valued at §50 per acre;
live stock valued at $3,785, and implements and machinery $1,000.
The land value includes a $700 dwelling and $600 in other buildings.
The soil is sandy loam with some gravel, and 160 acres are in culti-
vation while the balance affords excellent pasture.

Field crops, dairy products, hve stock, and poultry were the various
sources of profit in 1911. Eighty acres of spring wheat jielded 17
bushels per acre and forty acres of oats jielded 30 bushels per acre.
Both of these crops, however, were probably at least 25 per cent
below the average yearly yield. Twelve hundred bushels of wheat
were marketed at 75 cents per bushel, and 900 bushels of oats at 40
cents per bushel. One acre of potatoes yielded 200 bushels, and of
this amount $115 worth were marketed, making the total sales from
field crops $1,363. The crops consumed on the place included 40
tons of vetch hay grown on 20 acres; 21 tons of grain hay from 14
acres, and one acre of kale.

The farm dairy consists of 13 grade Jersey cows valued at $50 each.
The sum of six hundred dollars was received for cream sold at an
average price of 27 cents per pound. Nine veal calves netted $81.

Besides the dairy animals, the farm is stocked with seven head of
work horses, seven colts under three years old, 150 head of sheep,
130 goats and 30 swine. One four-year-old horse was sold for $225
and two cows for $45 each. No other animal husbandry sales were
made during the year.

The poultry department is conducted principally for the family use,
but nevertheless the produce returns are usually a noticeable item
in the profit column. It was $175 for the year we are considering.
About 150 hens are kept, these being a mixed breed, the Rhode
Island Red strain predominating.

Nine stands of bees produced a sufficient amount of honey for
home use but none was marketed. The home orchard and garden
receives very little attention from a commercial point of view although
practically all of the fruit and vegetables desired by the family are

OREGON FARMER 127

raised successfully. A two-year orchard consisting of 100 peach
trees, 50 pear trees and nine cherry trees is thriving exceptionally
well.

The total expenditures for the year were $1,310.70, the largest
single item being $500 for the household, which is above the average,
but we must take into consideration that there are eight members of
this family. The cost of hired labor was S250. Two boys attending
high school are available during the busy seasons, consequently the
labor cost rarely exceeds the amount stated. All other expenditures
can be considered under three heads; namelv, threshing and t^dne,
$187; taxes, $185, and miscellaneous, $188.70.

Since the gross income amounted to $2,534.00, and the total
expenses to $1,310.70, the net family income was $1,223.30, or an
amount equal to a return of slightly over seven per cent, on the
capital investment — $17,285.

Southern Oregon Division.

The Southern Oregon Division embraces the Umpqua and Rogue
River Valleys and numerous smaller tributaries, famous for their
production of fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural products.
Like the Willamette Valley, the Southern Oregon Division presents
conditions extremely diversified, and is adapted to almost every
phase of agricultural development. However, the rich and fertile
valleys have attracted the attention of scores of horticulturists and
as a result fruit raising has become a paramount industry.

The survey of this district covered every locality, and farms of all
classes are included in the results. Reports were secured from 231
farms and of this number, 38 contain less than 20 acres: 59 between
21 and 80 acres; 45 between 81 and IGO acres; 40 varied from 161 to
320 acres; and 43 contained over 320 acres. The general tendency
seems to favor the smaller farms. Most especially is this true of the
more developed fruit and garden districts. According to the figures
obtained, the smaller farms are also paying a considerably larger
rate of profit on the capital invested.

A good example of the smaller class is Farm Number Forty-five
in Jackson County. This fai'm contains 13 acres which is the state
average for farms under 20 acres. It is devoted exclusively to the
growing of pears, and in 1911 the gross sales reached the sum of
$6,909. Others are giving attention to apples or other kind or kinds
of fruit with like results. The present owner purchased Farm
Number Forty-five in 1909 at $2,000 per acre. The improvements
at that time included a $5,000 dwelling and other buildings valued at
$1,000.

The soil is a medium sticky black loam and averages about six
feet to gravel. It is all under irrigation, the water for this purpose
being obtained from a large well by means of an electric pump. The
orchard occupies twelve of the thirteen acres and consists of 895
trees, representing three different varieties. Ninety of these trees
are the Bartletts, 490 are Howells, and 315 D'Anjous. The total

128 OREGON FARMER

yield in 1911 was 3,000 boxes or an average of 3.35 boxes per tree.
This crop was marketed at an average of S2.30 per box; a return of
$7.72 per tree, or $576 per acre.

The home garden supplies the family, but the pear crop constitutes
the only source of profit. One cow, three hogs, and eight stands of
bees are kept, the produce being utilized entirely for home consump-
tion.

Two men and two teams are required to operate this farm. Only
one team, however, is necessary, except for a short time during the
busy season. The value of all live stock kept was fixed at $934.
The implements and machinery used, including a gas spray and an
electric pump, is approximately $1,000. The total capital invested
then is $33,934. The total expenditures for 1911 were $3,853.22,
which, when taken from the receipts, left a family income of $3,056.
This is a payment of nine per cent on the capital invested.

As all of the work in 1911 was done by hired labor, that account
heads the list of expenditures, and including the cost of picking,
reached the sum of $1,500. The crop was packed and marketed
by a local association, the cost of preparing for market being 27
cents per box, amounting to $810; the marketing commission was
eight per cent, or $552.72.

As no feed of any kind is raised it was necessary to purchase both
hay and grain at a cost of $328.50. Other expenses were as follows :
boxes $125; household $497; and miscellaneous items $40.

Columbia Basin.

The remaining three divisions of the state comprise what is known
as Eastern Oregon, and aggregate about 60,000 square miles. This
region consists largely of high tablelands and rolling plains, vastly
different from those sections of Oregon in which the farms already
described are located. The farms of Eastern Oregon are, therefore,
also, of an entirely different character, and must be described from
a different point of view. Wheat and stock raising are the principal
industries and the farms, as a general rule, are unusually large.

The northern portion of this vast area bordering on the Columbia
River is principally rolling hills traversed by a few narrow valleys
and constitutes the Columbia Basin. Some of these vallej^s are
adapted to fruit growing, but the larger area is a stock and grain
district. There are two notable exceptions, however; the famous
Hood River Valley and the Freewater-Milton district, known the
country over for their fruit production. The former is located in
the county whose name it bears, and the latter is in Umatilla County.
A few other localities are also coming into prominence as fruit
sections. Of the 309 farms visited in the Columbia Basin, consider-
ably over half of that number fall within the division of over 320 acres
and average 2,137 acres to the farm. There are, however, many
farms which are much smaller but just as successful, although at
the present time the larger ones are most typical of the division.

OREGON FARMER 129

Farm Number Thirty-five, in Gilliam County, is a fair average
of this class. From a financial point of view this farm may briefly
be described as follows: Capital invested $41,740; gross income
$7,718; expenditures $3,824; family income $3,894; and rate of
profit 9.3 per cent. This rate is slightly above the state average,
but is nearer the average rate of the division.

Farm Number Thirty-five contains 1,680 acres. Of this amount
480 are rented and, therefore, are not counted in the capital invested.
The average value is $30 per acre. The soil of about 1,200 acres
is deep and of the silt loam type. The balance of the acreage is
more or less rocky and is not under cultivation but affords very
good pasture. The buildings are valued at $1,000 and an equal
amount is invested in implements and machinery. Three men and
eighteen horses are required to operate this farm.

Throughout the Columbia Basin it is customary to summer-fallow
cultivated land every other year, consequently only about one-half
of the acreage is sown in any one season. In the year of the survey
685 acres of Farm Number Thirty-five were in crop. Eighty-five
acres of grain hay produced one and one-half tons per acre, and 600
acres of fall wheat yielded 18 bushels per acre. Of the total
yield, 10,800 bushels, 9,640 were marketed at 70 cents per bushel,
returning $6,748.00. There is no orchard on the place, but a small
garden is cultivated for home use. The animal husbandry depart-
ment was the other leading source of profit, $920 being the amount
of sales. Four grade Shire horses were sold for $760; one cow and
two calves for $60, and four Duroc Jersey hogs for $100. At the
time this inventory was taken, the farm was stocked with 21 head of
horses, 11 mule colts under three years old, two cows, one calf, and
85 hogs, the total value being $3,740. Fifty dollars were received
from miscellaneous sales of poultry. Both chickens and turkeys
are kept but mainly for home consumption.

The $3,824 expended may be classified as foUov/s: hired labor
$1,000; rent $600; threshing, sacks and twine $1,076; household
$625; taxes $145, and miscellaneous items $382.

Blue Mountain Division.

The Blue Mountain Division is the most diversified section of
Eastern Oregon, but owing to inadequate transportation facilities,
many localities remain undeveloped and stock raising is the principal
industry. There are exceptions to this general condition, however.
Especially is this true of Union and Baker Counties, where fruit
growing and dairying are receiving considerable attention. Never-
theless, stock raising still ranks first, in order of importance, in the
division as a whole, with sheep and cattle farms leading in numbers.

Farm Number Sixteen, in Grant County, is typical of the successful
cattle ranches. It represents an investment of nearly $40,000, of
which $22,800 is real estate and machinery, and $17,100 the value of
live stock. The farm contains 500 acres and in addition to this
1,280 acres of pasture land are rented. About 250 acres are culti-

130 OREGON FARMER

vated and under irrigation. This produces all of the hay and grain
required for winter feed, and with the number of stock above men-
tioned, sales returned $1,340. About 180 acres is wild hay which
yields an average of approximately 400 tons yearly. Wheat, oats,
barley and rye are raised on the remainder of the cultivated land and
yield exceptionally well.

The receipts from cattle sales for 1911 netted S4, 600 for 10.5 head.
All cattle raised are grade Herefords and Durhams, but pure bred
sires are always kept. At the time this farm was visited, it was
stocked with 100 head of beef cattle, 300 head of stock cattle, 20
head of horses, and 10 swnne. No special dairy cows are kept, but
enough stock cows are milked to supply the farm. Poultry is also
kept only for home use.

A small orchard consisting of apples, pears, plums, and cherrie^
produces well during ordinary seasons, but cannot be depended
upon in this particular locality. No fruit is marketed.

Five men and ten horsos are necessary to handle the ordinary
farm work. The cost of hired labor for 1911 was $1,500. This item
would be greater if it were not for the fact that two men are operating
this farm. Other expenditures were household S600; rent $200;
taxes $300; and miscellaneous items $150; a total of S2.750.

Summarizing these results we find a capital of $39,900; gross in-
come $5,940; expenditures, $2,750; family income |3,190; rate of
profit 8 per cent.

Central Oregon.

Five of the largest counties in the state, or an area of 41,513 square
miles, comprise the Central Oregon Division. This vast plateau
region is still comparatively undeveloped. Until the intervention
of railroad activities only recently, these thousands of acres were
partially utilized by stockmen for grazing purposes. There are
still many large farms, several containing as much as 50,000 acres.
But a change is rapidly taking place and already many small diver-
sified farms are thriving. Such a farm is Number Seven, located
in Crook County, and this is the class we must now describe as
typical of the division instead of one of the extensive stock farms
which formerly predominated.

Five years ago the owner of Farm Number Seven acquired an
eighty-acre tract and immediately began to develop a diversified
farm. Later an additional 80-acre tract was rented and he is now
controlling 160 acres. About 140 acres are in cultivation. The
soil is silt loam and averages about ten feet to rook or gravel. Four
hundred dollars have been invested in improvements and the plact
is now valued at $60 per acre.

Alfalfa is the leading field crop, 60 acres yielding an average of
three and one-half tons per acre. Ten tons were sold at $10 per
ton. Fifteen tons of grain hay were marketed at $8.50 per ton.
The balance of these crops was used for feed.

OREGON FARMER 131

Thus far dairying has been the principal source of profit. The
dairy herd consists of 12 grade Jersey cows valued at $100 each,
and is headed by a pure bred Jersey sire. The produce from this
herd returned $762. One cow was sold for $75; five veal calves and
five yearlings netted $305; and a horse was sold for $100, making
the total of live stock sales $480.

Geese, ducks, and Brown Leghorn chickens were found in the
poultry department. During the year two dozen chickens were
sold for 50 cents each; 40 ducks at 75 cents each; and 720 dozen eggs
at an average of 30 cents per dozen; aggregating $250 for this depart-
ment.

Two hundred dollars were expended for hired labor during the
hay harvest, but the amount was returned by work with teams done
for others during less busy seasons. The household expenses amount-
ed to $875.00. There are six members of the family, four under
fifteen years of age. Taxes amounted to $62.50 and miscellaneous
items to $135.50.

The inventory showed the following resources; real estate, $4,800;
implements and machinery, $500; live stock, including 15 head of
horses, 17 head of cattle, and 6 swine, valued at $3,215, and $500
in cash for operating expenses. The total capital invested is then
$9,015. The gross receipts, including $200 labor for others were
$1,919.00. The total expenditures, including $200 for hired labor,
were $1,273.00. This leaves a family income of $646, or an amount
equal to 7.16 per cent on the capital invested.

The 1910 Census shows that there were 45,502 farms in Oregon
on that date. There are more now. The farms described above
are by no means representative of this number nor do they represent
all of the agricultural conditions and industries of the state. There
are many farms paying a much larger rate of interest, and of course
there are others, which are not so successfully managed, paying
much less. They are, however, typical of certain general farms and
industries of their respective localities.

GOOD DEMAND FOR FARM LABOR

The laboring man can readily get a start in Oregon if he
is willing to go into the country. There, high wages are
paid for milkers, ranch hands and farm workers. The
supply of labor in the country districts does not meet the
demand. The wages paid for farm work are practically all
clear gain, and if saved and put into a piece of land will
soon enable the laborer to become a home owner and in-
dependent citizen.

FINIS

132

OREGON FARMER

INDEX.

Page
Adobe Soils — Composition and description

of 46-49

A^icultural Opportunities in Oregon 13

Agriculture—
Apicultural Statistica—

Average Farm Acreage, Price, Yield and Value
each of Chief Crops in Different Regions
of Oregon — as Grown on Representative

Farms— 1911 57-60

Climate, Soil, Topography, Transportation
Facilities, Market Conditions, Price of Land,

in Relation to 33

Counties Leading in Production Field Crops . . 56
Farming Conditions in Oregon (Miscellaneous

Data) 44-45

Farm Crops of Oregon 52-54

Oregon and Other States 53-54

Oregon Crop Production by Regions 55

Oregon Yields and Prices Compared with

Leading States 53-54

Farming in Oregon — Types of 33

Field Crops Adopted to Different Districts:

ForCash Field Crops 62

For Dairy Cows 61

For Hogs, Sheep and Poultry 62

Field Crops not Grown in Oregon 62

Hay and Forage, by Divisions, 1S09 55

Hop Production— Oregon Compared with

Other States 54

Irrigation Statistics - ■ .■ 44

Miscellaneous Crops, Grown Only In Certain

Regions (Table) 61

Opportunities of in Oregon (Article) 13-14

Present Occupation of Lands 43-44

Production and Acreage of Chief Field Crops,

by Divisions, for 1S09 55

Products in Oregon in 1912 33

Rotation and Cropping Systems of Oregon. . 62-63

Selecting a Farm in Oregon 35

Soils of Oregon 46-47

Chief Soil Types -46

Composition Silt Loams 46-47

Composition Sandy Loams 46-48

Composition Marsh Soils 46-49

Composition Adobe Soils 46-49

Composition Granitic Soils 46-50

Composition Pumice Soils 46-51

Composition Alkali Soils 46-51

Survey of Representative Farms — Tabulated 44
Typical Successful Farms— A Summary.. .124-131

Wealth of in Oregon, Derived from 33

Examining the Prospective purchase 39-42

Alkali Soils— Composition and Description of .46-51

Alffclfa— (See Farm Crops) 52-63

Apiaries— (See Bee Culture) 97-99

Apricots— Industry in Oregon 71-73

Associations for Social Conditions 120

Average Size of Farms • 13-14

Blackberries— Industry in Oregon— (See Fruits

and Vegetables) 71-85

Barley— (See Farm Crops) 52-63

Blacksmiths — Opportunities for Work 13

Bee Culture— (Article On) 97-99

Colonies, Number and Value of in State, U. S.

Census, 1910 97

Distribution of Bees in State (Map) _. . 98

Honey, Principal Producing Centers of in

State • 97

Industry Described— by Divisions 98-99

Statistics on — by Divisions:
Number of Reports; Number of Stands; Bee
Keeping Successful; Colonies Profitable;

Average Price of Honey ; Total Sales 99

Beef— Distribution of (Map) 15

Cost to Start in Business 16

Effects of Feeding Alfalfa, Grains, Etc 16-17

Feeding— Kind and Arnount* of Food 18-17

Grasing — Ranee and Winter 16

Industry — how Divided 16

Page

Land Necessaryf or IS

Markets for 17

Number in State 15

Pure Bred Industry 16

Stati.-itics On 15

Bureau of Statistics-
Composed of 6

Duties of 5-6

Cattle — Article on

Beef 16

Dairy 26

Carpenters — Opportunities for Work IS

Cheese —
Products for 22 factories for year 1912 —
Pounds of Milk Received; Pounds of Milk
Sold; Amount Received for Cheese Sold; A v-
verage Price per Pound of Cheese, and

Pounds of Cheese per 100 Pounds Milk 28

Tillamook County as Producing Center 28

Cherries— Industry in Oregon 72

By-Producta of 73

State Averaee in Production of 71

Chief Types of Soil — Composition and De-
scription of 46-52

Classification of Lands in State — Diagram) .112

Clearing Land — Average Cost of 30

Climate— Article on 66-70

As an Attraction Ill

Conditions — in Relation to Poultry Industry

— by Divisions 89

In Relation to Farming, Generally — by Di-
visions 78-84

Considerations and Changes in Relation to

Soils and Farm Crops 86

Rainfall Maps 64

Summary of Normal Climatological Data for

Oregon — by Divisions 66

Temjjerature and Rainfall Diagram 09

Clover- (See Farm Crops) 62-«3

Communication and Transportation 117

Postal Service and Telephone 119

Railroads and Navigable Streams (Map) 118

Contents— Table of 3

Corn — Total Production and Acreage — by Di-
visions. 1909 S6

See Farm Crops 62-«3

Country Life in Oregon— Article on Ill

Moral Tone of People 114

Land Classification — Diagram 112

Oregon — Conditions in as Compared to Other

Countries 111-113

Social Statistics —

Educational Facilities 120

Postal Service and Telephone 119

Rural Organizations 123

Cranberries — Industry in Oregon 71-7S

Dairy Cattle— (See Dairy Industry) 25

Dairy Industry— (.\rticle on) 25

Annual Imports of Dairy Products 20

Average Income per Head in State 27-28

Comparison of Average Income by Coun-
ties 28-29

Some Examples 28

Breeds of Dairy Cattle in State 30

Butterfat Prices Paid in Oregon for Years

1909 to 1912, inclusive, by months S2

Cheese — Indu.stry in Tillamook County —

Statistics, etc 28

Cost of Milk Production 29

I^abor and Wages — by Sections 29

Systems of Labor Employment 29

Crop Production by Divisions _. 52-58

Diversified Dairy Farming — by Divisions. ... 34
Diversified Livestock Farming — Truck and

Small FruiU 34

Farms Reporting Income from Cows 27

Feeding — Kinds and Cost of Foods 29-33

Climate and Relation to Low Food Cost 3

Concentrated Feed Stuffs vs. Forage Crops. 3*

OREGON FARMER

133

INDEX— Continued.

Page

Kale— Ite Value as a Winter Food 32

Long Growing Season and Abundance of

Feed Throughout the Winter 32

Prices of Feed Stuffs in Oregon aa Compared

to Middle West States 32

Markets for Products of 31

Prices of Butterfat in Portland, Compared

to Eastern Cities 31

Compared to San Francisco 31

Number of Cows and Distribution of — by

Counties 25

In Comparison with Population. Area, Etc. . 25

In Comparison with Other States 26

Number and Value of Cows and Heifers 26-27

Comparison of Values — by Sections 26-27

Market for Surplus Stock 32

Number and Kinds of Cream Separators in

Use in the State 31

Importance of to Dairy Industry 31

Over-Production — no Danger of 26

Pounds of Milk Received; Pounds of Cheese
made; Amount Received for Cheese sold;
Average Price per Pound: Pounds of Cheese

per 100 Pounds Milk 28

Size of Herds and Average Value per Cow —

by Sections 27

Typical Successful Farms — a Summary 124-131

Dewberries— See Fruits and Vegetables.. ..71-85
Diversified Farming: —

Diversified Crop and Livestock, by Divisions;
Diversified Dairy Farming, by Divisions;
Diversified Field Crop Farming, by Divi-
sions; Diversified Livestock Farming, by

Divisions 36-37

Editing Committee — Com posed of 6

Farm Labor — Good Demand for 131

Farms and Farming —

AKricultural Opportunities 13-14

Agricultural Products in Oregon. 1912 33

Average Wages — With and Without Board 45

Climate — Article on 65

Climate — As an Attraction 113

Comparison With Other States 53-54

Farm Crops of Oregon 52-54

Financing a Farm 98-107

Average Capital Invested 104

Average Family Expenses 105

Average Family Income 105-106

Average Gross Income 103-104

Average Rate of Profit 106-107

Average Value of Dwellings 102

Average Value of Livestock 102-103

Average Value Implements and Machinery. 103

Fruit and Vegetable Farming 71-83

Hop Prod uption 54

Land Statistics, Total Area, etc 43

Miscellaneous Data (Statistical); Average
Rental; Clearing Cost; Depth of Wells;
Average Number Work Horses; Average
Acres Irrigated; Average Percent Using
Irrigation; Average Percent Using Ro-
tation; Average Amount Manure Used;

Average Crop Sales per Acre 44

Selecting a Farm in Oregon — the Type and

Region 35

Best Sixe of Farm, Cropping Area, Statistics,

etc 37

Climatic Considerations — Changes in 38

Examining Prospective Purchase 38-42

Getting Started Right 37

Miscellaneous Data on Farming 44-45

Occupation of Lands 43

Soils of Oregon 46

Chief Types of 48

Composition of 46-62

Statistics on Business Methods 108

Different Types of Farms — Percentage of

Examined in the Survey 11-08

General Farm Statistics 18-14-44

Page

Value of Farms and Farm Property 109

Total Production and Acreage of Chief Field

Crops — by Divisions 56

Typical Successful Farms 124-131

Survey — Agricultural — Cost of 6

Accuracy of Information 9

Appropriation for 5

Authority for 5

Classification of Reports 9

Different Types of Farms Examined 9

Preparation for 6

Purpose and Scope of 5

Questions to Farmers 10

Tabulation of Data 6-8

Farm Statistics-
Average Acreage Operated; Average Depth of
Wells; Average Years on Farm; Number of
Rural Phones; Opportunities for Work; Re-
quired to Operate, Men, Horses; Years Ex-
perience as Farmers 15

Field Agents— List of ii

Assignments of Territory to 11

Expenses and Reports of 10

Instructions to 9

Number of 10

Fruit By-Products 73

Fruit Growing- by Divisions 36-37

Fruit Pests 76-77

Fruits and Vegetables— Article on 71-83

Fruit, State Average 1910-1911— Table 71

Apples, Pears, Prunes. Cherries 72

By-Products of Cherries 73

Cranberry Culture 77

District Reports on 77-83

Fruit — by Divisions — Statistical and des-
criptive 78-83

Industry Combined with Other Crops 76

Land Prices in Oregon 75

Loganberries, Peaches and Other Fruits 73

Nursery Business 75

Pests and How Combated 76-77

Thinning, Grading, Packing and Shipping.. 77

Varieties to Plant 76

Vegetables — Statistical and Descriptive 71-83

Typical Successful Farms 124-131

Vegetables (See Fruit and Vegetables) 71-83

Central Oregon Division 83

Coast Division 77

Columbia Basin Di\'i8ion 81

Blue Mountain Division 82

Southern Oregon Division 78

Willamette Valley Division 79

Oeographical Dirisiona of State g

Goats—
Land Value Increased by Pasturing; Income
from Fleece; Rank of Oregon in Quality;
Valuable as Land Clearers; Willamette Val-
ley Ideal for 24

Gooseberries— (See Fruits and Vegetables) . . 71-85
Grains, Hays. Etc—
Average Acreage. Price, Yield and Value of
Each of Chief Field Crops — by Sections. .57-60

Counties Leading in Total Production 5H

Crop Production by Region 52

Oregon Yields and Prices of Field Crops Com-
pared with other States 53-64

Total Production and Acreage of Chief Field

Crops— by Divisions (1909) 55

Granitic Soils — Composition and Description

of 46-50

Grapes— (See Fruits and Vegetables) 71-85

Greenhouse Business in Oregon 74

Hay and Forage— Total Production and Acre-
age— by Divisions — 1909 55

Rank of Counties in Production of 56

See Farm Crops 52-63

Honey— (See Bee Culture) 97-90

Average Price of g g

134

OREGON FARMER

INDEX— Continued.

Page
Hogs— (Swine)

Average Number of Pigs per Litter 17-18

Breeding of Pure Bred Hoga; Growth of; Will-
amette Valley Excels in 19

Climate and its Effect on Hog Diseases Vi

Dictribution of in State (Map) 17

Forage as a Food Product 18

Gaina in Flesh on Various Fooda 18

Grains Used as Foods 18

Number of in State 17

Proportion of Hogs Consumed in Oregon Pro-
duced in States 18

Restilts of Food Tests by Oregon Experiment

Station 18

Scope of Industry (1910-1912) 18

Skim Milk as a Food 18

Statistics on 17

Wheat and Barley vs. Corn 18

Horses-
Average Number of per Farm — by Divisions.. 44

Colts as Source of Income 20

Cost of Production— Range vs. Feeding 20

Distribution of in State 19

Draft Horses, most Popular Breeds 20-21

Mules — (See Mules in Index)

Number and Viilue of in State 19

Number Required to Operate Farms 13

Percent of Pure Bred Stallions in Oregon and

United States 21

Percent of Pure Bred Draft Stallions in the

State 21

Production of Horses in State 20

Production of Draft Horses in State — Growth

of Industry 20

Pure Bred Horses in State 21

Growth of Popularity of Same 21

Statistics on 19

Work Horses — Average Number of per Farm

— by Divisions 44

Immigration Agent, State . . (Inside Back Cover)
Immigration Commission — Personnel of

(Inside Back Cover)

Introduction — Object and Scope of Survey. . 6
Investments in Farms and Improvements. . 14
Irrigation-
Average Acres Irrigated 44

Average Percent Using Irrigation 44

Kale— Its Value as a Forage, Crop-
Districts Where Grown; Average Acreage per
Farm; Price, Yield, and Value per Acre,

Etc 61-63

Labor and Wages-
Average on Farms, with and Without Board. . 4.5

Clearing Cost — Average — by Divisions 44

Farm Labor — Demand for 131

In Dairy Industry 29

Manure — Average Amount Used 44

Men— Average Number Required to Operate

Farms 13

Rental — Average General Farms 44

Rotation of Crops — Average Percent Using —

by Divisions _. 44

Wells — Average Depth of — by Divisions 44

Work Horses— Average Number of per Farm —

by Divisions 44

Number Required to Operate Farms IS

Lands-
Area of — Classified 112

Soils, Types and Composition of 46-52

Average Acreage per Farm; Average Income
in Value, 1900-1911; Average Value Land per
per Acre; Cultivated Land; Irrigable Acre-
age; Land Occupation Data; Land Occu-
pation Statistics; Now Irrigated; Number
of Farms; Tillable Land Uncultivated;
Tillable Public Land Open to Entry; Total
Land Area 4S-44

Pace

Letters — Circular to Citizens 6

Of Instructions to Agenta 9

Livestock Industry-
Beef Cattle 15

Alfalfa as a Fattening Product 16

Classification of 15

Cost of Starting Industry 16

Grain and Hay Feeding 16

Map Showing Distribution of 15

Ranging in Eastern Oregon 16

Statistics on Cattle; Percent Increase;

Acres per Head ; Value per Acre IS

Dairy Cattle — (See Dairying Industry) 30

Breeds of Dairying Cattle.
Goats-

Mohair — Weight and Value of Fleece 24

Rank of State in Number and Quality 24

Valuation as Land Clearers 24

Western Oregon Conditions Ideal for 24

Hogs-
Breeding of Pure Bred Hoga 19

Diseases of in Oregon 19

Distribution of in State (Map) 17

Foods and Results; Skim Milk, Grains and

Forage Crops 18

Markets for — Portion of State Consumption

Supplied by Home Producta 18

Number of in State 18

Statistics on; Average Litters; Percent of
Two Litters; Percent of One Litter — by

Divisions 17-18

Horses-
Breeding of — Growing Popularity of Draft

Horses 20

Comparison of Conditions and Prices Be-
tween Eastern and Western Oregon 20

Distribution of in State (Map) 19

Methods of Feeding by Districta 20

Number and Value of in State 20

Profits in Colt Raising 20

Rate of Increase 10

Stallions— Percentage of Pure Bred in

Oregon 21

Statistics on — Price Necessary to Make

Profit on a 4-year-old Horse 19

Mules-
Good Market for Surplus Stock 21

Most Popular in Eastern and Central

Oregon 21

Sheep—

Cost of Feeding Small 24

Distribution of in State (Map) 22

Industry Classified by Divisions 22

Oregon Famous as a Breeding Ground 24

Pure Bred Sheep Industry 24

Ranging in Eastern Oregon — on Govern-
ment Reserves 22-23

Spring Lamb Industry in Western Oregon. . 23

Marketing of Spring Lambs 23

Statistics on — Percent Increase; Loss from
Wild Animals; Average Wool Clip; Cost
of Wintering; Pasture per Head; Value of
Land per Acre; Age Ewes are Sold— by

Divisions 21

Wool — Average Clip per Head and Coet of

Production 22

Oregon as Compared to United State* 22

Loganberries — Growing of in Oregon 72

State Average in Production, 1910-1911 71

Maps, Charta. Diagrams, Etc— (Index) 3

Marsh Soils— Composition and Description of .46-49

Masons— Opportunities for Work IS

Miscellaneous Data — (Statistical) 41-45

Mules-

Not Popular in Western Oregon 31

Production in the State 21

Production of in Central Oregon 31

Production of in Blue Mountain Section 31

, Surplus and Exportation of 31

OREGON FARMER

135

INDEX— Continued.

Page

Narlgable Streams and Railroads 117

Map of 118

Occupation of Lands 43

Land Statistics — Total Area; Cultivated
Land; Tillable Land Uncultivated; Tillable
PublicjLand Open to Entry; Total Irrigable
Acreage; Acreage now Irrigated; Total Num-
ber of Farms; Average Acres per Farm; Aver-
age Value Land per Acre; Average Increased

Value— 1900-1911 43

Oats— (See Farm Crops) 62-63

Occupancy of Farms — Average 13

Miscellaneous Data — Statistical 44

People of Oregon 114-117

Earliest Settlers 115

Rural Population — Distribution of 116

Their Heritage Ill

Peaches — (See Fruits and Vegetables) 71-85

Pears — (See Fruits and Vegetables) 71-85

Peas— (Field)— Oregon Yield and Prices (1909)

— Compared with Other States 64

Population-
Need for Denser 117

Rural— Distribution of 116

The People of Oregon ... 111-117

Potatoes— Yield in Bushels, 10 Year Average
and for 1912, as compared with Other States. 53

Poultry Industry — Article on 87

Different Types of Poultry Keeping 87

Poultry and Fruit 94

Seven Oregon Farms — Receipts, Expenses

and Capital Invested 87-88-91

Climatic Conditions 90

Description of 89-90

General Information and Analysis of Stat-
istics 90-93

Typical Successful Farms 124-131

Value Poultry Products (Map) 96

Poultry Farming— by Divisions 36-37

Prunes— (See Fruits and Vegetables) 71-85

Publications— List of Issued by the Oregon

State Immigration Commission

(Inside Front Cover)

Pumice Soil — Composition and Description

of 4fr-51

Raspberries — (See Fruit* and Vegetables) 71-85

Rural Homes of Oregon— Article on 125-127

Cost of Dwellings 103-125

Railroads and Narigable Streams CMap) 118

Transportation and Communication 117-119

Reports from Farmers —

N umber of From Each County 11

Sandy Loam Soil — Composition and Descrip*-

tion of 46-48

Selecting the Farm and Getting a Start 76

Selecting a Farm In Oregon 35

Best Size of Farm — Cropping Area 37

Examining Prospective Purchase 38

Fences, Family Orchards, Etc 42

Healthfulness, Marketing Conditions, La-
bor Supply, Water, Community Condi-
tions 41

Physical Character, Climatic Conditions,

Etc 40

Proportion, Topography, Elevation 88

Soils, Natural Vegetation, Etc 40-48

Valuations, Homestead Lands, Etc 43

The Type, Region, Climate, Sise, Etc 35-41

Sheep —

Average Cost of Wintering 33

Average Size of Band per Employee 23

Cost of Starting into Business 23

Distribution of in State 22

Industry Classified 22

Lambs— What to Feed 23

When Marketed 23

Number of in Oregon 21-22

Pasturage in Mountains and Valleys 23

Priocipal Breeds in State 24

Page

Principal Growing Centers 22

Product in Great Demand 24

Range on National Forest Reserves 23

Scope of Range Sheep Industry; Average
Wool Clip per Head; Cost of Production;

Percent of Increase 22

Spring Lambing in Western Oregon 23

Statistics on 21

Willamette Valley a Famous Breeding Section. 24
Silt Loams — Composition and Description of .46-47

Size of Farms 75

Social Statistics-
Churches and their Influence 122

Educational Facilities 120

Educational Institutions, Location of (Map).. 121

Postal Service and Telephone 119

Railroads and Navigable Streams (Map) 118

Rural Organizations 123

Summary 123

Bolls of Oregon 46-62

Chief Types of 46

Chemical and Physical Analj'ses of 40-46

Chmate and Relation to 41-42

Judging Fertility of 39-40

Examining for Fertility 40

Relation of to Farm Value 39-41

Composition and Description of "Adobe",
"Alkali", "Granitic", "Pumice", "Marsh",
"Sandy" and "Silt" soils and loams — 46-52

State Immigration Office — Address of

(Inside Back Cover)

Statistics—

Of Book Based on Averages 13

On Dairy Products, Etc 31

Statistical Data-
Acreage, Average of Farms Reporting 99

Alfalfa, Average Acreage, IMce, Yield, Value,

Etc. — by Divisions 69

Agricultural Products in Oregon, year 1912.. 33

Agriculture Taught in Schools 118

Associations for Social Conditions 120

Average Acres Irrigated 44

Average Amount Manure Used 44

Average Cost of Clearing Land 44

Average Crop Sales per Acre 44

Average Depth of Wells 44

Average Number of Work Horses per farm 44

Average Percent Using Irrigation 44

Average Percent Using Rotation 44

Average Rental for General Farms 44

Average Wages Farm Labor 46

Bank Accounts 108

Barley — Average Acrefige. Price, Yield, Value,

Etc. — by Divisions 67

Bee Culture 97

Best Size of Farm — Cropping Area, for Differ-
ent Types 37

Business Methods — Reports Showing Bank

Accounts; Records Kept, Etc 106

Butter Making, by Women at Home 116

Capital Invested, Average 102

Cattle — by Divisions 18

Breeds of — by Divisions 80

Churches, Influence of Increasing 117

Classification of Reports •

Climatological Data, Summary of for a Period

of Years M

Elevation, Precipitation, Evaporation, Hu-
midity, Frost (Average Date of), Grow-
ing Seasons, Temperatures, Wind Velo-
city, Etc 66

Clover, Average Acreage, Price, Yield, Vslue,

Etc. — by Divisions 19

Crops — Counties Leading in Production of

Field Crops M

Crops— Miscellaneous, Grown Only in Cer-
tain Resdons 81

Crops — Oregon Yields and Pricoe Compared
with Other States 53-64

136

OREGON FARMER

INDEX— Continued.

Page
Crops — Total Production and Acreage — by

Divisions— 1909 55

Dairy Cows — Number of in Proportion to

Population and Area of State 25

Breeds of Cattle 30

Butter Fat Prices 32

Compared With Other Dairy States 26

Cream Separators — Number and Kind of —

by Divisions 31

Farms Reporting Incomes from Cows 27

Labor and Wages 29

Number and Value of Cowa and Heifers —

by Divisions 26

Size of Herds and Average Value per Cow. . 27

Dwellings— Average Value of 100

Expenses — Average Family 103

Fruits and Vegetables — State Averages in Pro-
duction, Yield, Price and Income per Acre

71-74-78-79-80-81-82-83

General Statistics on Agriculture by Di^nsions
— Number of Reports; Average Years on
Farms; Years Experience as Farmers; Av-
erage Acreage Operated; Men and Horses
Required to Operate Farms; Opportunities
for Work, by Classification of Labor; Av-
erage Depth of Wells; Number of Rural

Telephones 13

Grain — Average Acreage, Price, Yield, Value,

Etc. — by Di\-ision3 60

High Schools — -Access to 117

High Schools — Location of (Map) 117

Hogs — by Divisions 17

Hogs— Production 54

Horses — by Divisions 19

Implements and Machinery — ^Average Value

of 101

Income — Average Gross 101

Income — Average Family 103

Libraries — Access to 117

Livestock — Average Value of 100

Miscellaneous Data (Statistical) 41-45

Oats — Average Acreage, Price, Yield, Value,

Etc. — by Divisions 68

Occupation of Lands in Oregon 43

Organizations for Material Improvements 120

Percentage of Different Types of Farms Exam-
ined in the Agricultural Survey 9

Potatoes — Average Acreage, Price, Yield,

Value, Etc. — by Divisions 67

Poultry Industry — Seven Oregon Farms,

Showing Different Types 85

Receipts. Expenses, Capital Invested, Etc. .85-86
Profit— Average Rate of. Including Family

Labor 104

Profit— Percent of 105

Pwee

Records Kept 106

Rural Free Delivery '..'..'. 116

vSbeep^by Divisions 21

Societies for Social Intercourse 120

Societies for Women 120

Social Statistics 116-120

Butter Making by Women at Home, Nation-
ahty. Rural Free Delivery, Rural Tele-
phones

Soil Typves— Composition of '. 48

Soil Types, of Oregon . 46

Statistics Based on Averages 12

Telephones — Rural 116

Temperature and Rainfall — Mean Monthly-
Chart 69

Timothy — Average Acreage, Price, Yield,

Value, Etc — by Divisions 60

Typical Successful Farm (a Summary). .. .i24-131

Value of Farms and Farm Property 107

Wheat— Spring, Average Acreage, Price. Tfield,

Value. Etc — by Di\'isions 57

Wheat — Winter. Average Acreage, Price,

Yield. Value. Etc — by Divisions 57

Wild Hay — Average Acreage. Price, Yield,

Value, Etc. — by Divisions 60

Study This Book 3

Telephone, Rural— by Division* 13

Topography— Map of State FrontiBpiece

Transportation and Communication 11.

Railroads and Navigable Streams (Map) 118

Truck Gardening In Oregon 7«

Truck and Small Fruit Farming—

By Divisions 36-37

Types of Soili — Composition and Description

of 46-51

Typical Successful Farms- (Article on) . . . 124-131

Blue Mountain DivisioD 129

Central Oregon 130

Coa«t Division 124

Columbia Basin 128

Southern Oregon Division 127

Willamette Valley 126

Value and Price of Farm Lands 43-74-75

Vegetables-
State Average in Production, Value.Etc 74.

Wages and Labor— With and Without Board-
by Divisions 44

On Dairy Farms 29

Crop Sales, Average — by Divisions 44

Farm Labor — Demand for 131

Walnuts — Growing of in Oregon 73

Wells— Average Depth in State — by Divisions. 13-44

Wheat— (See Farm Crops) 52-63

Work — Opportunities for — Carpenters. Black-
smiths and Masons 13

READ and STUDY the Subject Matter.
The subject matter of this bulletin is not intended for hurried or care-
less reading. The idea of the writers throughout has been to compress the
greatest possible amount of information into the smallest possible space.
Every sentence carries an important fact for the guidance of the newcomer
seeking accurate information regarding Oregon from the agricultural stand-
point. Eyery statement is a conclusion, "boiled down", drawn from the
observation and experience of men who have made a long study of their
special lines and know the agricultural conditions and possibilities of Oregon
in detail. It has been their effort to make their statements conservative.
They have not attempted to tell the newcomer how to farm his lands; but,
rather, to give him facts relative to the present production in the state and
information such as will aid him in GETTING STARTED RIGHT, so that
he may avoid making mistakes in selecting his field for work and have the
best opportunity for success. The reader who is truly interested in
"Oregon's Opportunity" should not merely READ these discussions, but
should STUDY them if he wishes to more clearly understand the facts
contained herein.

Date Due

For further

Oreg

C

THE OREGON FARME

WHAT HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN EVERY
PART OF THE STATE

A Pieliminaiy Agricultural Survey Under the

Direction of an Advisory Committee

From the Faculty of

Oregon Agricultural College

CORVALLIS

Conducted by

Oregon Statistical Bureau

J. A. BEXELL. Director
E. B. Lemon, Assistant Statistician

19 13

Published by

Oregon State Immigration Commission

C. C. CHAPMAN
State Immigration Agent \

PORTLAND. OREGON

WILLIS S. DUNIWAY, Stat© Printer

S ic

O

■ M British Columbia Library
University ol Bntisn

DATE DUE
SERIALS