Page:All Over Oregon and Washington.djvu/201

Rh it suggests the probability of its being a yam-growing country. The original name, let it here be stated, was Che-am-ill—the Indian term for bald hills—and was applied first to the river at the falls, just above which was the ford, because these hills served as a landmark by which they easily found the ford. The name, corrupted to Yamhill, was bestowed upon one of the counties established under the Provisional Government; and though not particularly euphonious, is distinctive, and in Oregon annals notable.

Crossing the beautiful Che-am-ill hills, we have a charming view of the country on every side, and see again the familiar peaks of Mounts Hood, St. Helen, Adams, and Jefferson. We take leave here of the level plains of Washington and Yamhill counties, and find ourselves among the beautiful, fertile, rolling hills and alluvial valleys of Polk County. This county is about twice the extent of Yamhill, with not far from the same amount of cultivated land, and a few hundreds less population. There are no large towns in Polk County, the people being almost exclusively agricultural. The county-seat, Dallas, is a small place situated on the Rickreal (corruption of La Creole) River, nearly opposite to the State capital.

In riding over this lovely section of the Wallamet Valley, the freshly imported Eastern farmer must be struck with the general air of neglect and improvidence. He can not but look with wonder and regret at the shabby farm-houses, the unpruned orchards, and dead-and-alive aspect which pervades the country. Not understanding, perhaps, that which is explainable, and more or less excusable, in this "shiftlessness," he is led to doubt the advantages of the country for farming. But to do that, is to err; the real explanation lies