Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/249

Rh associated capital, but beyond such associations as may be effected by the members of one family, or a few friends with families, such associations are not popular with the people of Oregon, nor consistent with the pioneer purpose of filling an unoccupied country with industrious family life. The latest census reports indicate strongly that the effect of the large land ownership titles secured in the lake districts of Southeastern Oregon, by doubtful methods and almost entirely used for cattle, are proving disastrous to the counties containing them and seriously affect the growth of the state.

The following is taken from the Rural Northwest for August 1, 1902:—

"The fact that half a dozen powerful companies own nearly all the deeded and irrigated land in Harney County, is not only most disastrous to that county but seriously affects the growth of the state. The census shows that the area of irrigated land in Harney County increased from 26,289 in 1889, to 111,090 acres in 1899, but the number of irrigators decreased from 240 in 1889 to 228 in 1899. Harney County has the unfortunate distinction of being the only county in Oregon with fewer farmers in 1900 than in 1890. It is also unfortunate in showing that the total value of the crops of its 111,090 acres of irrigated land in 1899 was only $232,423, or a little over $2.00 per acre. Under ordinarily favorable conditions 40 acres of irrigated land, with outlying range, will support a prosperous farmer, but if there were even a farmer to every 80 acres of irrigated land in Harney County, the number of irrigation farmers would be six times as large as it is, and Harney County's population would be three or four times as numerous as at present."

Ten years ago the writer, examining the condition of sheep husbandry for the United States Department of Agriculture, wrote to the then representative of Harney County to learn if public sentiment would favor the proposition to sell the range lands to the people at ten cents per acre, or just enough to pay the national government the cost of attaining title, survey, record and issuing patent. The answer was in the negative; fear of the rich