481 
Even in the latter case, the fertilizing value of the droppings exceed 
the cost of the maintenance. 
The wool-product shown by the State census of 1875, divided by the 
number of sheep, gives an average product of 3.45 pounds per head; 
but as lambs unshorn were largely counted among the animals, the 
average is too low. It should probably be 5 pounds per head. The 
annual increase from droppings of lambs is about 90 per cent. 
Tbe number of acres necessary to pasture 100 sheep varies in differ- 
ent localities and with different kinds of sheep, Cotswolds and Lei- 
cesters requiring more than merinos. The merinos might be kept on 
1 aere per head; the others would require Id acres. For fleeces ranging 
from thoroughbred to one-fourth merino, Mr. Newby received, in 1874, 
from 25 to 30 cents per pound; in 1875, 25 cents per pound, averaging 
the whole. His neighbors got from 21 to 23 cents per pound. These 
prices are for unwashed wool. No wool is washed in Oregon. 
Sheep here are generally healthy, but some prevalent forms of chronic 
distemper are noted. The scab results from bad management. The 
malady is easily cured by dipping in a decoction of tobacco mixed with 
blue vitriol and lime. No other chronic complaint is of sufficient im- 
portance to provoke attention; but Mr. Newby describes a new malady, 
which has become quite prevalent in some localities, for which he finds 
neither name nor description in works on sheep-husbandry. The pre- 
monitory symptoms are a dry cough, with swelling lips. The swelling 
continues for 2 or 3 weeks, and, if fatal, enlarges the lips 2 or 3 inches, 
turning them perfectly black and producing a very offensive odor, 
with a very repulsive appearance. A putrid state of the whole carcase 
necessitates great determination to completea post-mortem examina- 
tion. A free administration of tar is recommended. The appetite does 
. not fail to the last. For lack of a more definitely known cause, Mr. 
Newby suggests that the disease may result from extreme short pasture 
on fallow lands, the animals absorbing a large amount of dust. it 
Mr. Newby concludes that sheep-raising has proved profitable. A 
man with 150 acres can raise from 200 to 5090 bushels per onum 
more of wheat if he keeps sheep than without them. Add this to 
the wool and product, and he thinks there isa very substantial element 
of profit in the business. Sheep-raising is a far better policy than the 
summer fallowing of partially worn-out lands. The grain farmers are 
finding this out, and are importing Cotswolds and other mutton-sheep. 
Wool-production is rapidly increasing in Oregon, which promises soon 
to take the front rank in the business. ; 
CALIFORNIA STATISTICS.—The returns of county assessors show 
2,156,149 acres in wheat in California in 1874, producing 30,248,000 
bushels; 490,274 acres in barley, producing 9,261,940 bushels ; 69,217 
acres in oats and 40,922 acres in maize, producing, together, 3,122,000 
bushels ; 586,705 acres in hay, producing 752,214 tons. Smaller areas 
were sown in rye, buckwheat, pease, flax, hops, tobacco, cotton, &e. 
Los Angeles County raised a third of the corn-crop. 
The live-stock embraced 1,385,877 cattle, 5,464,711 sheep, 242,819 
hogs, 230,622 horses, 22,257 mules, 837 asses, and 44,426 Angora goats. 
The wool-product had doubled within five years, amounting to 43,532,223 
pounds, of which 22,746,730 pounds were spring-clip, 19,225,493 fall- 
clip, and 1,560,000 pulled wool. The wool shipped during the year 
amounted to 48,183,000 pounds, a large portion of which was Oregon 
ble 3,612,206 pounds were consumed by the woolen mills of the 
tate. 
Of wine, 7,000,000 gallons were made in 1875, the quality being re- 
