Report
of the
4
a
1938
Josephine County
Agricultural Economic
Ciferetice
4
Josephine County Courthouse
January 25, 1938
I
\'
0
THIS' REPORT
is brought to the growers f. Josepii1ne county and others, interested, through the cooperation of several
Farmers' Organizations
Ao.
The Jolephine County Banks.
The First National Bank of Portland
(Grants Pass Branch)
and'
The United.I States Natioia1 Bank of Portland
(Grants' Pass Branch),'
together with
These Josephine County Feed and Seed Dealers
Josephine Grng. Supply Co.
Tardy's Seed' and Feed
Josephine County Mill
Star Seed and Grocery
Mack's Seed atid Feed Store
(E. C. Gayman, Prop.)
4
Report of the
Josephine County Agricultural Conferencc
HELD JANUARY 25, 1938, JOSEPHINE COUNTY COURTH OUSE, GRANTS PASS, OREGO N
ers of Josephine county,elected the many hours were spent in studs
following committees: (1) Land ing the different conditions at
(2) Crops
(3) Livestock fecting commodities, the com.mil
Early in December of 1937 a Use
group of representative Jose- (4) Home and Rural Life. The tee members realize that the r
phine County faruiers and home- crops committee was also divided ports could have been more coir
makers decided to hold a county into subcommittees for the follow- plete. Iowever, conditions at
(a) Horticul- fecting markets are changing s
agricultural economic conference ing commodities:
(b) Produce
(c) Bulbs rapidly that frequent revision a
with the assistance and coopera- ture
(d) Hops (e) Hay and Pasture the recommendations no doul
tion of the Oregon State College Forage
(f) Small Seeds and should be made. It should b
Extension Service. Need for such
a conference was realized by this Grains (g) Weeds. The Live- kept in mind that these report
group because of results obtain- stock committee was also divided and recommendations were mad
ed by :smiliar conferenees in form- into the following groups;: (a) on te present basis of water d
Dairy (b) Livestock (c) Poul- velopment. If further develoi
er years.
try.
ment takes plaice consideration c
Agriculture in Oregon has seen
meetings were held the new land would change thai
tremendous changes in the last bySeventeen
these committees with a re- recommendations.
twenty years, and a study of con- markably
attendance of the
General Chairman of the Cór
ditions affecting the different farm members. good
The reports an.d re- ference was Victor Boehi. Con
commodities was considered of commendations
these commit- mittee chairmen were as follow
vitai importance to the producers tees were madeofand
were adopt- Land Use, Geo. R. Riddle; Crop:
of
Josephine
and homemakers
meeting Franz Schutzwohl; Livestock, I
ed'
at
the
county-wide
county.
held January 25. At this meeting W. Hughes; and Home and' Ruii
The original organization group, over 200 farmers and homeniak- Life, Florence B. Coutan. Ph
FOREWORD
consisting of twenty-five repre- eis were in attendance.
Notwithstanding the fact
sentative farmers and homemak-
county agent served the variot
that committees as secretary.
General Committees
LAND USE
Ben Bones
L. Hull
Ben Hilton
George Wells
F. L. Sawyer
G. Sawyer
A. A. Johnson
James W. Payne
Ray Johnson
W. W. Canby
James Manful
L. R. Conklin
Carl Stephens
George Riddle
E. Reed Carter
Ernest C. Kelso
L. W. Hyde
A. M. Bunch
Howard Edson
Victor Boehl
Billie Steward
S. B. Robinson
J. L. Woodward
Rad'burn Robinson
CROPS
Jerry Foster
L. W. P'Iatner
'Willard Wilson
Claus And'erson
Fred E. Lichens
W. S. Carpenter
Franz Schutzwohl
Ben Hull
Ben Bones
J. L. Helms
Ben Hilton
Arthur King
Sumner Chase
W. W. Penney
Fred Hyde
Gene Hayes
R. C. Flory
C. H. Eisrnann
J. R. Robinson
Scott W. Taylor
LIVESTOCK
H. S. Watts
C. F. Smith
J. L. Helms
F. L. Sawyer
H. Brooks
Gene Hayes
L. W. Hyde
W. Hughes
Eli Morris
B. V. Denney
Carol H:ussey
David Snively
W. A. Johnson
Stanley Arnold
C. Thompson
Franz Schutzwohl
HOME AND RURAL LI]
Mrs. Florence B. Cout 'it
Mrs. C. E. Probst
Mrs. H. L. Hemingson
Mrs. Victor Boehi
Mrs.. G. S. Eaton
Mrs. Irwin J. Reid
Mrs. Robert L. Hart
Mrs. Wilma Cech
Mrs. Mary Ellis
Mrs. John C. Rawls
Mrs. Ellen Pruess
Mrs. Harry 0. Smith
Mrs. E. W. Hughes
Mrs. J. C. Calhoun
Mrs. Ben Bones
Mrs. Ida Edson
Mrs. Ed Norman
Mrs. Park Nomer
A
'A.mE 4
Land Use Committee' Report
Adopted January 12, 1938. larger units so that the operators
could, under normal conether meetings held December 28, thereof
ditions, make their entire living
37 and January 5, 1938.
Upon engagIng upon the task
f making reoommendations as
land use in Josephine county,
ie committee considered that any
iort-time program would be use-
It started work with an atnnpt to answer the following
stions which had been asked
me months previously by the
ecretary of the United States
epartment of Agriculture:
"What is the estimated probable
from the farm. At present there
is a heavy turnover in this type
of property which indicates instability. The minimum size of
a farming unit in the Grants Pass
irrigation district is considered by
the committee to be 20 acres.
Many garden-home types of
holdings are found in the Grants
Pass district. Such places usually
contain less than three acres artd
produce very little produce for
sale, which eliminates them from
the census cin,ssification of farms.
1935
Censu,s Recomen-
Number of'
farms
All land in
farms
Crop land
Harvested crop
land
Reports dations
1,778
934
111,378
25,784
25,O'3'T
89,378
20,354
24,037
250
750
47,692
farms
Plowable rotation
4,813
pasture
25,171
Crop failure
Idle or fallow
Pasture land in
822
4,608
5,554
Woodland
12,700
pasture
36,770
It is 'believed' that further develop- Other p'asture
5,369
3,661
ment of such holdings is desirable All other land
and that the creation of 400 ad- in farms,
10,240
10,972
ditional units of such holdings
not in
would be advisable. Such tracts Land
936,302 958,302
farms
are owned chiefly by individuals
is believed by the comfarm management practices as who have supplementary income. mitteeIt that
all existing crop land,
e necessary to maintain soil fer- This type of holding does not re- both irrigated
and non-irrigated,
of the various farm
roducts in the county after all
nd not adapted to agriculture
ss been shifted to other uses,
d after sufficient time has
apsed to permit such changes
roduction
lity and control erosion, and to
rmit those shifts between agriiltural enterprises which seem
early desirable and susceptible
practical accomplishment?"
RecoçLmendations made by the
mmittee will ñecessarily change
ie total number of acres used for
These
Lrious purposes now.
ianges will be referred to as the
duction or increase in these
nd classifications:
All land in farms.
All crop land harvested.
Plowable pasture.
(d.) Woodland pasture.
Other pasture.
Woodland not pastured.
All other land in farms.
It was recommended by the
rnmittee that 300 submarginal
vms containing 24,000 acres, of
hkh 1,500 acres is crop land,
)0 acres is plowable pasture (not
tated), 600 acres is other land
farms, and 21,000 acres is
odland pasture, be removed
em
agricultural
use.
These
mis are not h an agricultural
quire as heavy an investment in
equipment as a five or a ten acre
tract. This adjustment would' reduce other land in farms by 400
can be rotated with vetch, Ladak
alfalfa, and other legumes, and
that 'humus and fertility can 'be
acres and crop land by 600 acres. maintained.
The acute need in the county
There are about 2,000 acres
more agricultural land and the
of land in the Grants Pass irriga- of
for such economic detion district which is not now in opportunity
velopment of land and water refarms. It is believed that early sources be called to the attention
settlement of this land is desir- of legislative bodies to o.btain imable and practical, and that about mediate action and to secure ap100 new farm units could be
for completion of
created by developing this land propriations
These farms would probably con- surveys.
Local government planning
taIn 1,500 acres of crop land,
give consideration to the
100 acres of other land in farms agencies
(building sites and roads), and 400 proper use and administration of
the
lands classified as nonacres of rotation pasture.
and, working through
Subdivision of large farms agricultural
a)U available channels, seek to
in the Illinois and Applegate val- bring about such consolidation of
leys and the creation of fifty-six ownership, under the agency or
new farm units appears possible. agencies most capable of adminsaid lands, as is necessary
This subdivision would add 168 istering
to insure 'the use of the lands for
acres to the other land in farms be- the permanent welfare of the peocause of new bufiding sites, and ple of the county, state, and nawould decrease the crop land tion. In view of the inevitable
by a like amount.
serious consequences resulting
It is estimated that 1,708
acres of woodland pasture on ex
isting farms might profitably be
slashed, burned, seeded, and converted into other pasture.
It is estimated that 1,362
acres of woodland pasture might
profitably 'be cleared during the
flea.
next few years. Of this, 341 acres
It was recommended that will likely 'be used for rotation
Q units in the Grants Pass iv- pasture and 1,021 acres for crop
rnrged into land.
ration district
ea and the land cannot he used
other farmers to make a more
voraile economic unit. Timber
the only crop which can be
commended for these areas.
ost of this area represents farms
tich have been abandoned, recupied, and abandoned, many
S.
4
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from settlement in submarginal
areas or the setting up of submarginal units in good areas, it is re-
commended that such units be discouraged' 'by the following means:
Restrictions of agricultural
credit.
In disposing of countyowned land, that the county, as a general policy,
ells to prospective f armera only such' lands as see
in areas classified as sgml-
I
cultural.
ment without irrigation is not
Refusal to extend public economically feasible.
There has recently been a great
facilities that are under
the direct control of the increase in agricultural populaCounty Court unless justi- tion, as a consequence of which
fied by non-agricultural there has been much settlement
on submarginal farms.
enterprises.
Agricultural distress will probRecommending to the Jose- ably
until more agriculphine County Court that turalcontinue
land is developed through
the present state land irrigation.
classification zoning law
be put into effect in the Maladjustments in land use
have occured through excessive
county.
of some of the agriSecuring the cooperation subdivision
of the forward - looking cultural areas.
The reconnaissance land and
real estate and promotional agencies in directing water use study made by the Farm
settlement to good agricul- Security Administration at the retural areas only, and in quest of the county and state planurging the purchase by ning commissions has clearly inbuyers of economic units. dicated the possibilities of land
development by a coordinated proof land and water use. It apLAND USE COMMITTEE RE- gram
pears
possible from the survey
PORT ON THE POSSIBLE
mentioned above to develop elec-
WATER DEVELOPMENT
Experience
has
tric power at low cost for use in
The successful developnent of
demonstrated other parts of the county.
that soil and climatic conditions
are favorable for agricultural development in many parts of Josephine county when proper water
supply is provided.
Further agricultural develop-
each area within the county is dependent upon the development of
a county-wide coordinated pro-
gram in which best land use is
given primary consideration.
It is recommended by the lan1
use committee that:
An informal organization, be
effected consisting of representatives from all industries from all
all parts of the county to secure
the necessary detailed surveys by
the Army Engineers and Reclamation Service or other Government
agencies which will permit the de-
velopment and execution of a coordinated land and water use pro.
gram.
Such public action be taken
necessary to develop public understanding and sentiment
as is
for the execution of sound development.
The investigation should be
extended to adjacent areas within the Rogue River Basin and a
report of their findings in this
county and adjacent areas should
be published at an early date.
The acute need in the county of more agricultural land and
the opportunity for such economic
development of land and water
resources 'be called to the attention of legislative bodies to obtain immediate action and to secure appropriations for completion of surveys.
Report of the Dairy Committee
There has been a gradual increase of dairy cattle in Josephine county, in Oregon, and in
Trend in Dairy Cow Numbers
1910
1920
the United States, which has cor- 1925
responded very closely to incres..ses 1930
in population. In 1933 due to 1935
9
an increase in. the number of cows
and the lowering of consumer de-
mand, surplus of dairy products
Because of the
rapid increase in the number of
cows in the United States from
the period beginning in 1929, it
is probable that even if normal
consumer demand had prevailed,
there would have been a definite
surplus of dairy products.
There does not appear to have
been any too rapid expansion of
the dairy industry in Josephine
county. At present the number
was accumulated.
I
United States
11 West. States
Oregon.
Jos. Co.
1,341,000b
152,000
20,625,001) b
21,455,060 c
1,541,000 c
1,623,000
1,814,000
2,264,600 d
*Sample Census
22,575,01)0 d
23,106,000 d
26,236,000' d
200,000 c
217,00() c
222,600
2,916
2,328
3,150
270,060 c *3,200
a June 1
'b April 15
c January 1
d (Est. BAE)
(Tabulated by Oregon State College Extension Service)
While the average prod'uction
per cow in Josephine county is of the Rogue River Valley Dair
considered to be as high as the Herd Improvement associati'
average for the state, the com- The establishment of suh s
mittee feels that there is more sociation
accomphs'
room for improvement in the following would
results:
dairy industry by the improvement
Eliminate non-p
in the quality of the cattle. It
is a general rule that low cost
producers.
'
Provide a good so
of cattle are adequate to take care of production goes with high proof breeding stock.
of the hay produced. There seems duction per cow, provided that an
to be a surplus of pasture at the adequate supply of cheaply grown
Stimulate the use of
proven sires.
present time, and a better hal- feeds is maintained.
ance of flay and pasture would alIncrease the value of surThe committee believes that
plus cattle.
low a slight increase in the num- the dairymen of the county should
ber of dairy cattle. With changes maintain a dairy herd improveIn connection with this dairy
in land use which are recommend- ment association employing a full- herd improvement work the corned by the land use committee, time man in charge of the work. mittee believes that small groups
more increase in the number of At the present time a .few dairy- of dairymen who are raising the
dairy cows could take place.
men of the county are members
(Continued on Page 6)
PACE6
REPORT OF THE DAIRY
COMMITTEE
(Contiilued from Page 5)
same breed of cattle should purchase sires of the same line of
breeding in order that these sires
may be transferred from one herd
to another until their value is
known. Many times, good sires
have been slaughtered before their
daughters were in production,
and a distinct loss to the dairy
industry occurs whenever a good
sire is disposed of in this way.
Feed Supply A Vital Factor
An adequate supply of good
legume hay is necessary for the
most economical production, and
there is still room in Josephine
county for an increase in the
acreage of legumes. It is a recognized fact that Ladak alfalfa
is a good crop for many of the
deeper dry-land soils. More frequent rotation of Ladino clover
will result in higher production
per acre. Corn silage may be
profitably produced provided the
grower can harvest at least three
times the tonnage in green corn
thn he can of legume hay. Jose-
phine county is an importer of
feed grains, 'and the committee
believes where production per
cow warrants, the grain feed may
better be purchased than attempting to raise it. There will be exceptions to this practice, but where
adequate water is available more
pasture and hay can be produced
per acre than if it were raising
grain.
Quality of Products
The committee recognizes the
value of producing 'high quality
dairy products and believes that
the cream grading law is a step
in the right direction. It has
this suggestion, however, that the
cream should either be graded on
the farm or the creameries be reuired' to haul the cream in yei'gerated trucks.
Disease Control
'sepiine county is now an ac-
'.tuberculosis-free area.
r gress has been riiade in Bang's
disease testing, and the committee believes that all dairymen
should take advantage of the Federal Bang's Disease program which
is in effect now. The committee
suggests that wherever possible
the county veterinarian and the
Federal veterinarian work together in testIng for Bang's disease and tuberculosis as a matter
nonly in time to the live-
Report of the Small Seeds
and Grain Committee
Ladino Clover
stock owner.
The committee suggests
that
the livestock associations of the
county and the state request the
state legislature to make money
available for the further study of
diseases of dairy cattle by the
state 'college experiment station
with special emphasis being placed upon sterility trou'bles.
Dairy Associations
The growing of Ladino clover
seed has developed into an industry in Josephine county that affects directly over 180 growers.
A slight increase in acres harvested has occurred in 1937. Yield
per acre in 1937 was slightly less,
the total crop being about 50,000
pounds. The price to growers
this year will average slightly
higher than last year. Other sections of this State and California
are beginning to produce seed in
higher quantities, although in 1937
Josephine county produred approximately one half the total for
The committee commends the
Illinois and Deer Creek valley
dairymen for the organization of
a dairy association in that terri- Oregon.
tory. It further recommends that
The committee does not recoma county-wide dairy association be mend' a material increase in acreformed, and that regular meetings age. It does, however, recombe held where problems common mend an increased production per
to all dairymen will be discussed. acre. It believes that this may
It believes that the purebred be accomplished bybreeders of dairy cattle should
Adopting a rotation which
organize for the purpose of pro- would include a cultivated crop
moting their breed and the dairy every four or five years. It sugindustry as a whole.
gests the following or similar
rotation plan:
4-H Club rnd Vocational
1st. yr. Clover for hay and seed.
Student Projects
2nd yr. Clover for hay and seed.
The committee recommends an 3rd yr. Clover for hay and' seed.
increase in the number of 4-H 4th yr. Clover for hay and seed.
dairy calf clubs and vocational 5th yr. Corn or bulbs.
student projects in dairying. It 6th yr. Small grain with clover
in the fall.
is suggested that as an added
stimulus to this work the vari- 7th yr. Clover for hay and seed.
ous dairy associations will set up
Use of phosphorus and' sulannual prizes of purobred calves phur applied' early in the spring.
for the best work done in this T'he rate of application should be
county by 4-H club and vocational determ'ined by the individual
class members.
farmer.
Make the last cutting of hay
Advertising Dairy Products
before the seed crop not later
The committee recognizes the than July 10.
value of adiertising milk anti The committee recommends that
dairy products and believes that spring-sown clover 'be not harvested for seed unless the field is
all dairymen should contribute to 'clipped
twice b'efore leaving the
It
suga fund for this purpose.
seed crop, to eliminate the annual
gests that this would be a worthy weeds which are impossi'ble to
project for the county dairy as- clean out of the clover seet
sociation when formed.
Alsike Clove,
The committee believes that The committee recommends that
the passage of Senate Bill No. 78, alsike clover for seed production
called the "Overrun Bill," intro- 'be tried on suitable land in the
duced into the last legislature Illinois Valley.
but withdrawn, would be a great
help to the dairymen of the state.
Onion Seed
It suggests that the dairymen ac- The committee recommends that
quaint themselves with the provis- further trials 'be made in producions of this l,ill before the next ing onion seed in commercial
(Continued on page seven)
session of the legislature.
'4
PAGE
REPORT OF THE SMALL SEEDS
AND GRAIN COMMITTEE
Horticultural Committee Report
(Continued from page six)
REPORT OF TRUCK GARD ENERS' COMMITTEE
The committee believes tha
exception of sweet orn
No expansion in pears is re- with the
potatoes, and tomatoes I
commended at this time by the early
canning, that only enough t ruc
committee. Efforts should be should be grown to supply th
made by owners of well-cared-for local markets.
orchards to have the neglected
The 'committee believes tha
orchards near, removed.
an effort should be made to org
Peaches
anize the market gardeners int(
The committee believes that an informal group to meet wit)
quantities.
Grass Seeds
The conathittee believes that
certain grass seeds for which there
is a good demand should he tried
TREE FRUITS
Pears
out for seed production on land
where only limited irrigation is
possible. Among these are Chewing's fescue, tall oat grass, and
there is local demand enough to
Superior Reed canary grass.
warrant some increase in peaches.
Cereals
recommends that the acreage
The committee does not recom- It
existing peach orchards be inmend an increase in the small in
grain production. It believes that creased with the Hale and Elberta
Considerable equipment
on land of limited irrigation or varieties.
necessary to care for an orchard
dry land only fall grains should is
properly. The spray program, out-
be sown. As most of the grain raised is used as feed, the com:mittee lined by Oregon State college
recommends that mixed grain be should be followed.
Cherries
seeded for higher production.
Hanchenn Barley is considered to The committee 'believes that
be the best spring grain to grow. the acreage of cherries in the
Hugo section should be maintainCorn
seem
The committee believes that ed, but the industry doesn't
the corn acreage could be increas- to justify expansion. More work
small grains on most soils. The
crosses indicate a better corn for
this county.
Forage and Paiture Crops
The committee believes that a
considerable increase could take
place in acreages of forage crops.
Alfalfa, Ladino and other cloyers are recommended. On the
better dry lands, Ladak alfalfa is
recommended. Dry land grasses
which show promise and which
should be tried further are Highland Reed canary, meadow and
Chewing's fescue, crested wheat
grass and other mixtures.
crops.
The
committee believes tha
further investigation shouli I hi
made of the possibilities of f reez
ing green beans, peas, and a wee
corn. If feasible this practice n roub
make it possible to reach ea steri
markets and relieve the local mar
ket.
With the lifting of the roe
knot neniatode quarantine her
may be a place for an increase ii
root crops grown in this are
The addition of humus tc th
i
should be done in that section to soil by the growth of a rree:
manure crop through the fall am
winter is necessary to mtiiir!tar
fertility. Commercial fertilizer
are important, but they4ai a
replacement should have the true little good if the organic co] rlten
mazzard stock to avoid the gum- of the soil is low.
mosis disease. .The cherry fruit
fly is not known in the county, in most of the strawberries, an
and every effort should be made it is recommended that the re
to prevent chen'ies from infested 'commendations of the State CQ
territories entering the county. lege for the control of :heJ
troubles be followed.
Orchard Practices
ed in Josephine county. It is a
for the noncrop that can be used in a rota- determine the reason
of the past few
tion with clover to reduce the learing trees
weed problem. More feed can be seasons. ihe committee believes
produced per acre than of the that new cherry trees used for
committee recommends the use of
locaj seed corn until further
trials of varieties and hybrid
local grocers and to standa:rdiz
the quality and price of ;rucl
I
The
committee
recommends
the growing of green manure
crops to supply organic matter
where barnyard manure is not
available. The use of alfalfa as
a permanent Cover crop is recommended. Hay s:hould not be har-
vested but the alfalfa allowed to
lie on the ground.
Small Fruits
The committee believes
that
there should be a good future for
the growing of youngberries and
boysenberries in this section. It
commends the work of the Grants
Pass Berry Cooperative Associa-
tion in barrelling and freezing a
portion of the crop in 1937.
A small increase in strawberry
plantings seems justifiable to
take care of local needs. The
committee believes that a real
need in good planting stock exists
in this county and recommends
that growers purchase their plants
from certified plantings. Many
diseases and jsets are present
S
PAGE 8
Report of Poultry
Committee
Livestock Committee
Report
Oregon produces a surplus of
eggs above the needs of state
Trend in numbers for the United States, Oregon, and Josephine consumption, which must be shipounty.
ped to other markets principally
Horses
in the East and California. Eggs
J. S.
)regon
osephine Co.
--
1920
19,766,00
271,559
1,560
1920
I.
1925
39,609,000
483,813
4,714
S.
regon
Dsephine Co.
Hogs
1925
54,234,000
266,778
216,065
3,932
2,177
--
Sheep
1920
S.
39,025,000
regon
2,00,378
sephine Co------2,325
1925
been due to restrictions of
e grazing area because of brush
is
1930
193
412,009
3,225
1930
52,600,000
193,000
1,473
*
1935
37,007,000
168,580
1,775
49,913,0O
2,533,000
available to supplement the feet
The committee does not believe supply.
at numbers of beef cattle should
The committee J,elieves that the
increas'd until the brush land cooperative
of hogs is
recls'imed and seededL The feasible andmarketing
suggests that those
nunittee believes the beef in- interested, make
investigations
istry of the county could be mi- leading to the establishment
of
'eyed by:
such an organization.
Encouragement of 4-H beef
sed.
Have the county agent's oflist the breeders of good
.de or registered beef bulls,
ws, and heifers, to improve the
Fality of the herds.
Sheep
The raising of sheep in
Jose-
me county is a side line of genal farming, and they are mostly
small flocks. It does not seem
actical for sheep to be raised
tirely on irrigated land. The
demand and price.
The committee recommends:
That flocks be large enough
so that the proper care can be
taken of the eggs to insure higi
1935
49,766,000
waste products sueh as skini milk
abs to produce good breeding
)ek for use o.n the ranges.
Finish beef for market at
me thus marketing the feed
great enough to justify an attempt to ship in carload lots to
distant markets. This results in
a rather fluctuating local market
quality.
1930
Hogs
d the increase in the number
ecQme.ds
dairy cows. The committee be- The commttee
ves that the county should that hogs be raised en those farms
Lopt the state zoning law to help where a legume pasture can be
maintained and where there are
niedy the brush situation.
Beef
shipped to these markets must be
of high quality to compete with
other eggs and justify high transportation costs.
Josephine county is climatically
adapted to commercial egg pro-.
duction. At the present time production of high quality eggs is not
I'arm desiring small home
talle flocks from which eggs do
2,20,898 not enter trade channels should
3,147
1,893 keep two dozen hens or less.
That part of the feed used
be raised on the farm.
quality of the stock here could be
That 50 percent of the laymaterially improved by the pur- ing flock be replaced with pullets
chase of registered bucks.
each year.
39,134,000
1,775,093
1,689
There has been a decline in the
ef cattle, sheep, and hogs in
sephii county generally. This
1935
11,827,000
161,279
1,343
31 ,th91,0O0
*1937 estimate-2,20 0
1920
5'9,244,000
1930
12,4,40,000
179,750
1,465
Beef Cattle
43,398,000
570,697
4,813
S.
regon
)sephine Ce.
F.
1925
16,489,0O0
2$3,848
1,514
Chicks should be purchased
at one time, February, March, an
April being the three months when
most of the chicks in Josephine
county are purchased.
As the poultry business Is
a highly specialized one which requires close attention to detail,
those contenplatng commeaiai
production make a thorough study
of the su14ect before entering it
on a large scale. Disease problems increase usually as the size
of the flock increases, and one
slip may mean the loss of a season's work.
Capital required varies, but
generally speaking a first-year investment of approximately $2.50
per pullet before she starts production is required. This includes
brooding, fuel, food, litter and
cbst of chicks, mortality losses,
and houses and equipment.
Growers obtain information
as regards details of house construction, feeding, and care of
chicks and hens covered in bulletins issued by the state college.
These bulletins may be obtained
from the county agent's office.
4
PAGE
Report of Turkey
Cornmittee
Josephine county produced approximately 40,000 turkeys during 1936 with a small reduction
of this number in 1937.
The
United States production increased
from 14,800,000 birds in 1927 to
18,740,000 in 1934.
With a plentizul supply of
cheaper feed grains in 1938
and consequently more production
of meat products, the turkey mar-
ket for 1938 does not appear lx
be encouraging. The committee
does not recommend expansion of
the industry.
Due to better use of equipment
and an increase in efficiency in
managing, larger units are recoinmended for those in the turkey
business.
The committee also recommends
that the turkey producer have sufficient acreage to rotate his flock
to clean ground each year.
The California turkey market
ef the activities of the butcher's
union demanding that all turkeys
marketed carry the union label.
Through the efforts of farmer's
organizations this demand was
lifted, but the threat remains for
the 1938 marketing season. This
committee recommends that efforts le made before the marketbig season begins to prevent any
organization to interfere with the
riht of the farmer to market his
in 1937 was demoralized because
turkeys anywhere he may wish to
I
O SO.
Report of Bulb
Committee
I-
The commercial production of
corms and flowering
gladioli
bulbs has become an important
industry in Oregon and Josephine
control of insects and diseases,
warehousing, and marketing. The
committee recommends that be-
fore engaging in the raising of
bulbs, the new grower should consider these factors very carefully.
Depending upon the selection of
varieties, the cost of raising an
acre of bulbs will vary from $300
to $500.
Report of Weed
Committee
In some of the older counties
in Oregon where infestations of
noxious weeds occured earlier
than: in Josephine county, county
authorities are now spending as
much as $1l,000 each year in an
effort to prevent further spread.
Noxious weeds including morning
glory, white top, Canada thistle,
dodder, nutgrass, star thistle, and
State Department of Agriculture: The only organized effort at
control of these weeds has been
Oregon
Jos. Co. done
by the Grants lass irriga1935
320
tion district with the cooperation
1936
390
the county agent's office.
1937
556
270 of This
committee believes that
The production
of gladioli the earlier a coordinated weed
curms, lily, and tulip bulbs is a control
program is inaugurated in
highly specialized business requircounty, the less it will cost to
ing intenve study as regards the
keep these weeds from preading
ref yi
The hop industry In Josephine
county ranks second in the amount
of gross return to the county,
being exceeded only by the dairy
Acreage devoted to
Due to the increase in bulbs both production.
has been fairly stable durin Oregon and the Middle West, hops:
ing the past few years. At the
the committee recommends a 25 present
1,015 acres of the
percent reduction in the gladioli Colunthiatime
soil type are now plantacreage in this area.
to hops. This acreage repreThe demand for bulbous iris ed
sents 5 percent of the acreage in
bulbs is not as keen this year, and the
State whi:ch produces 51 perthe committee feels that an over- cent
of the hops grown in the
supply exists.
States.
About 95 percent of the tulips Pacific
A united movement of the hop
marketed in the United States are growers
of the three coast states
imported. The committee believes to limit production
is now under
that some increase in tulip grow- way. The committee
recognizes
ing could take ilace, especially the fact that more hops
are bein a few standard varieties.
produced at the present time
The committee believes that ing
the market will consume, and
the efforts of the Grants Pass athan
in acreage seems to
Gladioli Society and the North- bereduction
only solution. From a
west Gladioli Society should be localthestandpoint
as Josephine
commended for their attempt to county is not located
near a large
stabilize uniform prices of varieties. Further efforts along this center of population and since a
large amount of seasonal labor is
line are recommended.
required for the growing of hops,
an increase in acreage here is not
advised because of the limited
lathor supply.
In view of these facts and not
withstanding that the hop-grow
ing section of this county pro
duces considerably more than thf
State average, the committee doe
not recommend an increase ir
acreage at this time.
county. The following figures others, are established in the counhave been obtained from the ty at the present time.
eleetio
Hop Committee
Report
culture, further.
PAGE 10
Report and Recommendations of the
Farm, Home and Rural LifeSinceCommittee
the Public Health
Josephine County
Since the goal of improved agriultural practices is more abund-
Service
water supply needs improvement, is now putting on a campaign
in
if Josephine county farm families
testing, it seems advisable
are to raise their standards of water
to cooperate fully in this proliving.
ant living, which is attained in
Sewage Disposal
more satisfying home and com- Findings of the Farm Housing
it
was
thought
exmunity life,
Survey disclose another important
pedient.to designate a Home and need
for improvement in housing
Josephine
Rural Life committee in
conditionsthat of sanitary facilcounty to assist with recommen- ities. Of 687 homes, 586 had outdations to the Outlook Conference. door toilets and 101 had indoor.
Through a study and analysis of And of the outdoor toilets, 575
conditions, the committee has been were unimproved and 11 improvable to pick out those phases of ed. This is undoubtedly one place
home and community living which where our standards can be imhave lagged 'behind and which now proved without a great deal of
rightly demand our attention, to expense. Plans are available for
the end that our standards of per- three or four different kinds in
sonal living will be as high as Farmers Bulletin 1227, "Sewage
possible.
and Sewerage Disposal of Farm
These recommendations can be
classified in four divisions: housing, foods and nutrition, home
management, and home and community recreation.
I IIGTJSINGIn 1934 a housing survey
was
made with CWA funds, of 696
farm houses in Josephine county.
it is being assumed that conditions have not changed enough
since then to reduce the signifi-
gram.
House Remodeling
The need for additional space
in our rural homes became apparent with 74.6 percent of the group
surveyed expressing the need for
more closet space, 69.5 percent
for 'bathrooms, 43 percent for
bedrooms, 38.9 percent ror storage space for fresh fruit and vegetables, and 43.2 percent for a
work room. In any remodelling
4
that is done, these things should
be taken into consideration because the evidence overwhelmingly points to the fact that the
workshop needs
Homes," obtainable at the County homemaker's
some
adding
to
and
working over.
Extension office. Sometimes the There is need for more painting,
toilets can be remodeled, by ad- additional screens, repair and reding vents, screens, hinged lids, placement of chimneys and foun-
etc.
and for refinishing of
In the Housing Survey of 696 dations, walls and ceilings. In
homes, it was found that 79 had interior
to the question, "If you
septic tanks, 37 had cesspools, 45 answer
250 to improve your home,
stream disposal, and 149 surface had
how would you spend it?" the
disposal. The septic tank is the following were the five most frebest method of taking care of quent replies: 1, house repairs and
waste, and the committee recom- improvements; 2, water system;
mends an increase in the installa- 3. interior walls, ceilings, and
tion of septic tanks.
floors; 4, additional room; 5, bathA few publications covering the room equipment. Here is opsubject of water supply, plumb- portuhity for all members of the
ing, and sewage disposal are avail- family to cooperate in working
able through the Oregon State out ways and means of improvcollege Extension Service.
ing the home with a minimum of
One of the best ways to secure expenditure. Home owners should
community consciousness in imin mind in all their plans
proved sanitation is to have in- keep
the
importance
of insurance on
terested people set up demonstra- farm buildings and
work toward
tions in the installation of water meeting the regulations
for such
cance of the findings.
Water Supply
In 257 homes, water was carried an average distance of 160
feet, 113 had a hand pump in the
house, 194 had piped cold water,
and 132 had piped :hot water. In
37 percent of these homes then,
the
water is still carried into The
house by the homemaker.
average work day for the Ore- systems, septic tanks, and improvgon farm homemaker is 9.7 hours
outside toilets.
on week day; 47.4 percent of this ed
time is spent in preparing, serv- Prevention of Contamination of
Water Supply
ing, and clearing away food. The
some sections of the councarrying of water consumes so ty,In
a problem exists of contaminamuch time and energy, and the
time distribution of the homemak- tion of both home and public
supply from surface drainer is so definitely related to the water
and seepage from irrigation
family standard of living, that age
this point demands first considera- ditches. In order to safeguard
health of the people, we wish
tion. Whenever possible, piped the
recommend that serious considhot and cold water should be pro- to
problem
vided in the house, as only 19 per- eration be given to this irrigation
already established
cent of the houses surveyed had iii
and in the future expanthis convenience. Fifty-eight per- projects,
of such projects. The committent were without kitchen sink sion
further suggests that there be
and drain, necessitating the carry- tee
in obtaining of water out as well as in. community cooperation
Therefore, the whole question of inig supplies f.r drilled wells.
protection.
Rural Electrification
In the housing survey made
on 696 farm houses in Josephine
county, it was found that 285
were lighted with kerosene and
gasoline. Fourteen homes report-
A
I
4
ed home electric plants and 378
were serviced by power lines. Although the survey showed Josephine county farm homes were
primitive in water systems and
waste disposal, they were on a high
standard in home electrification.
with 54% of homes surveyed
having electricity. Josephine county farm families are confronted
(Oontinued on Page 11)
s
r n,as.
FARM, HOME AND RURAL
LIFE COMMITTEE REPORT
p
(Continued from Page 1)
with two major problems in rural
electrification. One is to expand
the electrification program into
those communities not being serviced, and the second problem is
to help those farms already supplied to secure greater use from
their electricity.
Landscaping
We recommend a carefully plan-
ned county-wide program for the
of farm home
improvement
grounds. This should begin with
a clean-up campaign, emphasizing
the value of neatly painted buildings, enclosed, if necessary, by
stock and fowl proof fences or
hedges.
Succeeding lessons should be de-
voted to landscape planning and
the use of suitable plant material
obtained without cost or purchased by budgeting the cost of permanent planting over a period of
years.
As homemakers, we feel that
*
attractive surroundings are as
necessary and desirable as are
attractive interiors, and their
planning and care provide a faacinating phase of homemaking
and have a practical result in adding to the value of farm property.
II. HOME MANM-EMENTThere is little money to be
spent foolishly by families of
Josephine county. The value of
farm products, sold, traded, or
used in 1929 on farms in Josephine county vs estimated to be
under $600 for 42.8 percent of
the families, under $1000 for 62
for
percent and under $1500
76.7 percent.
Nearly half of the
farmers secured additional income
from some other work. This
ed is called "Farm Family Account also the encouragement of com
Book," available through the local munity dramatics with all mem-
15 bers of the family taking part.
Interested families might If groups of people gathered
keep a good set of accounts for a together, played games, sang
year to prove the validity of these songs, entered into other forms
recommendations and to make pos- of musical entertainment, presentsible suggestions for new account- ed short plays, and all cooperated
in entertaining one another, it
keepers.
would be uplifting to the characIlL FOOD
tars of all who participated. We
A survey of 553 Oregon farm suggest that demonstrations be
families was made in 1935-36 by conducted in community recreathe Bureau of Economics, Wash- tion, in the making of game equipington, D. C. Money and non- ment, and in play production.
money income of these families A. survey of the population is
ranged from $750 to $999. In the county shows that 34 percent:
the expenditure of this income, it range between the ages of five.
was found that 53 percent went and twenty-four years. The home
for food. In Josephine county and community therefore have
62 percent of the farm families definite responsibility toward the
are in this income group. With 33 cultural development of these
percent of the income going for young people. it is evident thar
food, money may be made avail- 4-H club work is a deve1opent
able for other purposes by an in- of character as well as skills, but
crease in home food production for successful club work, the encouragement, sympathy, and unand food preservation.
It was found that 29 percent derstanding of parents is necesraised all their garden produce, sary.
realizes that this
68 percent only part, and 3 per- The committee
covers only a few phases
cent none. Sixty percent raised analysis
part or all of their fruits. Could of home and rural life, also that
not the production of small fruits it is not as comprehensive as it
for family consumption be in- could be made with move atudy
creased? The committee recom- and investigation.
mends that Josephine county farm
Referred Tc4n Test
families plan and maintain year"Use of time by Orgon
around adequate gardens as famFarm Homemakers," Station Bulily projects.
256, 1929, 0. S. C. O.ralreported doing letin
All famiie
Page 7.
some canning at home and yet Its, Oregon,
Same, Page 16.
only 23 percent used the pressure
cooker in canning non-acid foods.
Since botulinus is virulent in Oregon, demonstrations in home food
preservation should be given in
various communities in the county.
Another helpful project would be
the estahlishment of community
canning centers.
extension office at a cost of
cents.
.
means that in raising the stand- IV. HOME AND CIOMMUNITY
RECREATION
ards of living conditions, improvements must be of the kind that The social life of communities
cost little. Also it means that would be greatly benefitted if
the family's dollar must be made home and community recreation
to go as far as possible. The were encouraged to a greater excommittee feels that accountkeeping 'should be encouraged as
a way for the family to get more
of the things it wants. The keeping of accounts and the planning
of expenditures gives the farmer
and his wife a picture of their enterprise as a whole, shows which
activities are the most profitable,
tent
The committee feels that religious training is essential for
character development and suggests that religion play a greater
part in home and community
life.
Musi plays a big part in social
Group singing can be started in the home with the whole
family taking part, then enlarged
into community participation. Besides singing, orchestras can be
many lessons in management. An started and enlarged in the same
and where improvement can be
made. If high school boys or girls
are interested in keeping the
family records, they should be encouraged as this teaches them
I£
life.
ace ant book which is racnmznrnd- manner.
We wish to recommend