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The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., August 2, 1895, page 2

THE BYRKETT RANCH

HOOD RIVER, July 29, 1895. - Editor Glacier. From the Cascade Locks to The Dalles, Nature sports with mountain gorges and wild scenery, and there is but few places where the pale face can make a home. The writer has traveled from Astoria to Southern California, and from Tillamook to the Rocky Mountains, and the most fertile spot I have never seen is opposite Hood River, at White Salmon, known as the Joslyn ranch, containing 320 acres of bottom land, now owned and occupied by Hon. A.R. Byrkett, who is professionally a lawyer from Troy, Ohio. Since purchasing, Mr. B. has made extensive improvements. He has built a barn, 130x40 feet, two stories, with cement floor, all neatly fitted for his imported heard of 33 extra Jerseys, Poland China hogs and other thoroughbred stock. Mrs. Byrkett, who seems the major's equal in managing the ranch, was for her pleasure her imported Pekin ducks, bronze turkeys and several varieties of fancy chickens, all of which have the most improved quarters. The major's love for historicals caused him to convert the old government blockhouse at the White Salmon into a milk house. He had it neatly plastered and cold spring water runs into cement troughs through the building, in which is placed the milk cans and pans. Forty gallons of milk are conveyed by steamer to the Cascade Locks daily, and in addition, from 15 to 20 pounds of gilt-edge Jersey butter is daily made. A stroll through the orchard shows the ground literally recovered with early apples, plums and peaches, and a cordial invitation is extended by the major to those in Hood River town who need the fruit to come over and, without money and without price, freely partake.
And now, Mr. Editor, with some misgivings, I make the following statement: There was claimed 140 bushels of corn per acre grown upon the premises. I saw six tons of wheat hay per acre, and from the same stubble fields had sprung up volunteer wheat that would yield at least twenty bushels per acre of well matured wheat; and rye haying over six tons per acre, growing over nine feet high. Farmer B. was so discouraged with the size of straw and the difficulty of getting it harvested by hand, that he has resolved to sow no more. On taking our leave, we thought this section of Washington must be justly proud of such accessions as Mr. Byrkett and his estimable companion.

W.P. Watson.