The Oregon Trail, third in the series of main-highway guidebooks prepared by the Federal Writers' Project, presents a story particularly pertinent to our times.<br><br>The great migration westward came largely as a result of the terrific depression of 1837; a depression brought on by speculation in railroads and canals and by overexpansion of industry. The great difference between then and now is to be found in the fact that today there are no longer western frontiers. Since we cannot migrate to undeveloped land as a solution for our troubles, we are now cultivating our neglected human and material resources. However, without a knowledge of the period between 1800 and 1870 it is impossible to understand the trends of our own times.<br><br>The American spirit of independence that carried thousands of emigrants from the East to the Pacific Coast is still alive, and though the problems to be solved require a new technique, the American people are competent to find a satisfactory solution.