18-ll.j FRUITS AND GAME. 425 



fine crops of wheat, — the yield varying from twenty to fifty 

 bushels per acre, often of more than sixty pounds weight. 

 There is no such thing as a complete failure of the wheat 

 crop ; but as the waters of the rivers are quite cold, and pos- 

 sess little or no fertilizing properties, it is liable to be injured 

 by the inundations, in all low exposures. Indian corn and 

 oats do not succeed very well ; the former suffering much 

 during the cold nights, and the latter producing small heads 



O O ' i CD 



in comparison with the stalk. For peas, beans, potatoes, and 

 most garden vegetables, the soil is superior. 



As the labors of the farmer are lightened in the summer 

 season by the absence of a necessity for securing a supply of 

 hay for his stock, so he is relieved during the winter from 

 providing them with a shelter, except a few pens or inelosures 

 into which they may be driven at night, and from bestowing 

 upon them any extraordinary care. The horses and cattle 

 thrive well, and look unusually fat and sleek. Merino sheep 

 are not suited to the climate, but the California breed, crossed 

 with the Leicester, Bake well, and other stout and hardy 

 breeds, prosper finely, yeaning time occurring twice a year, 

 and at the shearing exhibit fleeces weighing from eight to 

 twelve pounds. Hogs require but little care: they are gene- 

 rally fattened on wheat, which is said to make the finest pork. 



Oregon is not deficient in fruits. Apples, pears, and cur- 

 rants, have a thrifty growth, and yield plentifully; and the 

 indigenous fruits,' including gooseberries, strawberries, black- 

 berries, serviceberries, cranberries, crab apples, wild cherries, 

 wild peas, and thorn apples, are very prolific. 



In former times, the abundance of game found in this region 

 made it a favorite resort for the hunter and trapper ; but the 

 animals valuable for their furs are fast disappearing, and the buf- 

 falo is now rarely seen. The principal animals found are the 

 black-tailed and common red deer, the grizzly and black bear, 

 three different species of the wolf, the wild cat, panther, antelope, 

 mountain sheep, beaver, and otter. Squirrels, foxes, rabbits, 

 racoons, hedgehogs, and weasels, are abundant. Thestreamsof 

 Oregon produce excellent fish, and great quantities of salmon 



