Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1899 — From Rev. J. T. Abbett. [ARTICLE]

From Rev. J. T. Abbett.

He Describes ‘‘ltaly of Oregon.” Editor Republican:— Permit me first to assign a few reasons for terming Ashland and its surroundings, “The Italy of Oregon.” The mountains resemble the Alps and Apennines, Bear Creek and Rogue River Valleys, in their beauty and productioness, are not unlike the valley of the Po. The semi-tropical flowers and fruit are luxurious and abundant. There are many mineral springs. Like Italy, the singular clearness of the atmosphere sets off the landscape with brilliant effect. Ashland is the southermost town in Oregon, on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, about 15 miles from the California line and 400 miles south of Portland. It is a beatifulcity of 3500 inhabitants, surrounded by lofty hills. Its situation, surroundings and climate render it a most delightful place to live. The city owns an electric plant and a most excellent water system. The water comes from the melting snow of Ashland Butte, a mountain 7,000 feet high, ten miles southwest of the city. The water mains are laid in Ashland creek, two miles up the canyon, and ice water is distributed ever the town at the nominal charge of one dollar per month. Ashland Creek comes dashing through the centre of the town, furnishing excellent power for woolen mills, flouring mills, plaining mills creamery etc, etc. Ashland is the most flourishing town in Oregon at this time. There is' not a vacant house, either for business or residence, in the city. A great amount of building is going on now. The lumber yards are taxed to their utmost to supply the local trade. The proverbial healthfulness of Ashland is attracting many people from all sections of the country It is expected that in the next few years the present population will be doubled. If from a delightful atmosphere a charming and cheerful prospect in all direction, scenery as varied and beautiful as any in the Alps, any elements of health can be drawn, surely here is the place to come. There are hot and cold sulphur, and other mineral springs in and about Ashland in great numbers —curative, both as bathing and drinking waters, and they are yearly being more generally resorted to by health seekers. It is in fruit culture, however, that Ashland excells. This, in a stage of enlightened advancement, and almost in a state of perfection centers in and around the city. All fruits, peaehes, nectarines, pears, apples, quinces, plums, prunes, apricots, cherries, grapes of all kinds, berries of every variety, and almonds and other nuts, grow here in great abundance, and very deliceous in flavor Peaches are the most lucrative crop. Orchards are situated in the rolling hills, anywhere, not to steep to climb. The western and southern portions of the city lie on the sloping hills, which rise (higher and become more precipitous as they extend back. These hillsides facing east and north, some of them rising to a height of 600 are 1 covered with fine peach orchards. Not all the orchards are on such hills, but these are utilized because of their proximity to the city, and because they are free from danger of frost. y The soil of these hills is d£ composed granite, and very coarse. There is a belt of this “granite soil” at Ashland, some twelve miles in length, and containing about 25,000 acres- It is the very best soil for peach growing. Thus nature him done her best for peach

raising here, but intelligent culture has also done much. The pruning, to which trees are subjected, may be called heroic. When the trees are first set out, they are cut off some eighteen inches from the ground, and then they are cut back year by year, during their bearing life, which, I think, is three times as long as in the east. Trees twenty years old have borne about as prolific and as fine a crop this year, as any other trees. The average precipitation in Ashland is 20 inches, and yet these very abundant fruit crops are raised year by year. We appreciate the very kindly service the Japan current renders in giving us our mild winters, but its greatest service is performed, and its benefits most freely bestowed in our dry summers. Peach growing is indeed a great industry here. The worst drawback is that we are so far from market. Ashland is also noted for its intellectual and moral tone. It is the seat of the Southern Chantaupua Association, which brings annually to us men and women who are among the talented of the Nation. The city has three public schools: the North school, the South school, and the Central or High school. Prof. Hitchcock is the competent superintendent. Graduates from the Ashland high school are admitted as full freshmen in the State University and other colleges of high grade. At the edge of the city is the Ashland Normal School, a state institution, which is ably conducted by Prof. W. L. VanScoy, formerly of Ind., assisted by an able faculty. * There are eight churches in the city, namely Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational, “Christian,” Baptist, Episcopal, Catholic and Dunkard. Thus it will be seen that the intellectual and moral welfare of our citizens is well provided for. We have also, two live, wide awake newspapers, edited by courteous gentlemen. We have been very cordially received by our people, and the outlook is very favorable, Our church is to have the honor of entertaining the Oregon Conference at its next session. We send cordial greetings to all our old friends and neighbors. Yours very truly, J. T. Abbett. Ashland, Oregon, Oct. 12th, 1899.