WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 979 



From the commencement of ^the improvement of sheep for wool- 

 growing purposes in Oregon the Merino blood has been used to a greater 

 extent than that of all other breeds combined. This is true of western 

 as well as of eastern Oregon in past years. At present mutton has 

 advanced in price in all the chief markets of the Pacific coast, and, as 

 a consequence, farmers of western Oregon who have faith in the future 

 and know the value of sheep to their grain farms are using the Eng- 

 lish breeds deemed best for mutton and wool production. Other causes 

 in addition to tariff' agitation are working against sheep husbandry, 

 the chief being the subdivision of land ownership near towns and 

 cities for orchards and market gardening. This, however, is local. 



By the United States Census of 1880 the number of sheep in Oregon was. . 1, 033, 162 



By the Oregon State census of 1885 the number of sheep in Oregon was . . 1, 694, 153 



Increase in five years ^. 660, 991 



By the assessment rolls of 1891 sheep number 1, 159, 822 



Decrease in six years 534, 331 



I am glad to be able to say this loss to Oregon of more than a half 

 million of sheep instead of a gain of 750,000, which should have taken 

 place in the last period of six years, has not been all lost to the nation. 

 When Oregon sheep husbandry was at its lowest state of depression, 

 Lanteman Brothers, of Dakota, made a purchase of 20,000 ewes in north- 

 eastern Oregon and drove them to Dakota. They published a yield of 

 10 pounds per fleece the succeeding year in Dakota. The trade has 

 enlarged every year since, and in the spring of this year (1891) it was 

 estimated that 500,000 would be required. On June 1, 145 carloads of 

 200 each had been shipped from Pendleton alone to Mandan, S". Dak., and 

 many buyers were yet seeking sheep to purchase. It is impossible to 

 tell the exact number of sheep so deported from Oregon, either as stock 

 sheep for the Dakotas and Montana, or as feeders for Nebraska and 

 Kansas, or as mutton for the Puget Sound, Chicago, or California mar- 

 kets, as large numbers are driven out of the State. 



Owing to this increased and brisk demand for stock-sheep by the 

 farmers of the Dakotas, the prices advanced this year in northeastern 

 Oregon to a higher rate than such sheep have sold for since 1883. The 

 prices ruling for sheep, by the flock, are $2 to $2.25 per hend, lambs 

 counted. Wethers also have advanced from $1.50 to $1.75 for yearlings 

 and $2 for two-year-olds, in 1890 to $2 to $2.50 for yearlings and $2.75 

 for mixed ewes and two-year-old wethers, and $3 for two-year-old wethers 

 delivered immediately after shearing. These are "range sheep prices" 

 for 1891. In western Oregon, near the large markets, the advance has 

 been even greater. Mutton sold to wholesale butchers in Portland, 

 Oregon, in April and May, at $5.15 to $5.25 per 100 pounds, live weight, 

 and thrifty January and February lambs at $2.25 and $2.50 per head. 

 Prices at Puget Sound cities and Victoria were 50 to 75 cents higher 

 per 100 pounds. Prices from farmers' hands ranged from $4 per head 

 for lambs ten to eleven months old to $6 and $7 for three and four year old 



