Oregon has become, more than any other state except Texas, the primary market for live stock; the great herders of Wyoming and Colorado doing much of their "stocking tip" by purchase of Oregon cattle, of which 150,000 head passed east through Idaho the past season. East Oregon furnishes the larger part of these. In 1870 the sales of live stock in the state amounted to $6,828,675, exclusive of those slaughtered, Nv h MI were valued at $1,365.735. At the present time these values are probably doubled. In 1870 there were 120,000 cattle in the state; iu 1875, 276.000; in 1878, 423,0u0. The number ,of hogs in 1870 was 119,453; in 1875, 181,500. Of milch cows there were in 1870. 62,400; iu 1875, 80,900; in 1878, 93,000. The raising of horses is increasing considera bly at the present time, but the climate of Oregon will not permit them to be reared so cheaply as in California.
The total wheat crop of Oregon in 1870 was 2,270,000 bush.; in 1877, 7,89;,676 hush.; the latter believed to be an average of 19 bush. per acre. The oat crop of 1877 was 4,127,663 bush., averaging 35 bush, per acre. The wool clip increased from 1,750,600 lbs. in 1871 to 5,736,650 lbs. in 1878. The quality has improved as rapidly as the quantity, and Oregon wool commands the best prices in eastern markets. Its exhibit at the cen tennial fair in 1876 received medals and diplomas, according to the report of the com missioners, for " merino wool, very fine specimens of fiber, and good staple, very much resembling Australian wool, and giving f 'evidence that Oregon can produce wool of very great value." Much wool is consumed by the cloth-mills of the state. Oregon has a climate particularly favorable to the potato, the quality of which commends it to states south, while for Indian-corn her summers are too short and moist.
The timber grown on the alluvial hinds and in the mountain valleys of Oregon is unsurpassed in magnitude except by the "big trees of California." in the families pines abies and pima the trees of Oregon and Washington territory are the best of their species in-the world. The long-leaved Oregon pine is found in mountain valleys, where it grows to the height of 170 ft., in straight trunks, without waste for lumber seven-eighths of their height, with is diameter of from 4 to 6 feet. The redwood, which belongs to the cedar family, is found on the Coast range of enormous size, sometimes 15 ft. in diameter. Its lumber is adinirable for building purposes, being strong, easily worked, light, not liable to quick decay, and noxious, by its odor, to insects. A spruce, known as red pine,
red fir, and red spruce, resembles the Norway spruce, but is distinct, makes a valuable lumber, grows 150 ft. in height, and 3 to 6 ft. in diameter.
. Public lands. There are five U. S. land-offices in the state, located respectively at Oregon City, Roseburg, the Dallea, Da Grande, and Parkville. Under the pre-emption law a citizen may enter or pre-empt, on payment of a fee of $2, the right to purchase 160 acres either within or without the limits of a railroad grant at the rate of $2.50 per acre for the former, and $1,23 for the latter. The grants to the Oregon and California, and Oregon Central railroad companies, comprise the odd numbered alternate sections within 20 ni. on each side of the road to the extent of 12,800 acres per mile. The com panies sell their lands at'from V25 to $7 per acre, 10 per cent of for cash, or on 10 years' time with interest at 7 per cent, one-tenth of the principal to be paid yearly. The 'United States have made extensive surveys, so that there are vast tracts of good land for sale under the homestead and pre-emption laws. The state also has for sale a large quantity of desirable lands granted by the government. Its chief land office is at Salem.
The state has three customs districts and ports of entry: for s.w. Oregon, at Coos bay; for the Columbia river, at Astoria; and for the Willamette, at Portland. The foreign entrances represented 30.064 tons; the American, 11,771 tons. Clearances, foreign, 42,439 tons; American, 17,576 tons. The commerce upon the Columbia and Willam ette rivers has assumed a great magnitude by regular lines of steamers connecting with railways and canals around the falls. Smaller boats and rafting contribute largely to swell its volume. In 1868 there were 9 steamers engaged in the carrying-trade on the river. In 1875 the Oregon Steam Navigation Co., Oregon Steamship Co., and Willam ette Transportation Co. had together 32 steamers and barges with an aggregate of 18.698 tons. Twelve small steamers owned by individuals represented 2,473 tons. In 1878 the number of steamers had increased to 72, with aggregate tonnage of 25,089, besides 20 river barges, making 5,661 tons Previous to 1868 the export trade, except that to the Sandwich islands and Puget sound (about $100,000), was to San Francisco, and aggregated to the latter port that year $1,678,793, in 1875 it was $4,105,025, and in 1878, $6,184,491. Before 1868 gold dust and ores formed three-fourths of all the exports of Oregon. They are now but one-third of the value of salmon alone.