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WINTER MTNG.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THE WEST.
W. W. CLARK.
"My impressions of the west" are not more than impressions,
they were obtained in a stay of some two and one-half months,
mainly near the head of the Willamette valley. This valley is in
the western third of the state which is watered by the rains suf-
ficiently to produce satisfactory crops without irrigation. The
vegetation is somewhat similar to that of Wisconsin.
The rainfall around Creswell and Eugene is about 36 inches,
nearly all of which falls during the months of September to
June, leaving a dry season of two to three months. This was the
season which I observed. The rain is generally not severe, being
more like Wisconsin mist. During the summer dry season crops
can be grown in the field and garden without irrigation of any
kind by suitable methods of cultivation. There is no doubt but
that small fruits would do better during this time with artificial
watering, however.
Tree fruits do very well without irrigation provided the soil
moisture is conserved. It is claimed, in fact, that they do bet-
ter because of the dry season during their ripening period than
they would otherwise. This seemed to be true.
Agriculture in this portion of Oregon is in a very backwarC
condition as regards modern methods, etc. The same land has
been cropped without rotation for decades in many instances
and appears nearly exhausted. Eastern farmers are introducing
modern methods of rotation and handling, but these are not
kindly accepted by the "native Oregonians," who fail to see how
the eastern farmer can know anything about conditions in Ore
gon. As a consequence of the influx of settlers from the middle
west and east, Oregon is waking up to her resources and oppor
tunities, however, and the entire state is experiencing a "boom.'
In horticulture, modern practices in spraying, pruning, plant-
ing and cultivating are followed closely. This is perhaps from
necessity, it being almost impossible to raise any edible apples
without careful spraying. As a result many home orchards are
of no value to their owners, whatever; the marketable apples
coming from those growers who understand their business. The
contrast with Wisconsin conditions is especially marked, sinec
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