38 OREGON^FARMER 



range for the most profitable production with modern machinery 

 except on the dry farming lands, where larger acreage per horse 

 is possible. 



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 some 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 $15 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 



