8 FARM PRACTICE WITH FORAGE CROPS IN OREGON, ETC. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION. 



^Yhi{t is said in these pages is applicable to all that region west 

 of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and Washington as far south 

 as the upper portion of the Willamette Valley. With the exception 

 of some of the mountainous areas the winters are mild. The summer 

 months are comparatively dry, the nights are cool, and dews are 

 frequent and heavy. The annual rainfall varies from about 20 inches 

 in a small area where the Strait of San Juan de Fuca joins Puget 

 Sound to more than 100 inches at several points along the Pacific 

 coast. The main body of agricultural land about Puget Sound has 

 an annual rainfall of 30 to 60 inches ; that of the Willamette Valley 

 40 to 50 inches. 



The average rainfall of this region for six years is shown in the 

 following table : 



Average monthly and annual rainfall at points in the States of Oregon and 



Washi)igto)i. 



It will be seen that the rainfall is light during summer, heaviest 

 during Avinter, and quite well distributed throughout the remainder 

 of the year. With its mild winters and abundant rainfall the region 

 as a Avhole is exceedingly well adapted to forage plant production. 

 Grasses remain green during the entire year, while the clovers, 

 vetches, root crops, rape, and kale, with proper care, all yield abund- 

 antly. 



In Oregon the Willamette Valley constitutes the major portion of 

 the agricultural land of the region studied. When first brought into 

 cultivation the valley soil was friable, easily tilled, and productive. 

 For years the cereals were practically the only crops grown, and 

 much of the land at the present time is still producing these crops 

 exclusively. The average yield of wheat on such land at the present 

 time is said to be as low as 10 or 12 bushels per acre. Formerly it 

 was much higher. The growing of cereal crops year after year has 



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