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, 01 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. Transportation 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 beginning 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 development. 

 The social and business conveniences of the community and the 

 living 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 



