New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-14
OREGON.


RE lands being finely watered and interpreted with
timber for fencing aud building purposes. The state
Is usually divided into three portions. seyerally
STYLED the Lower Middle aud Upper Countries the
first is that portion next the Ocean; the second les
between the Cascade range and the Blue Mountains;
the third being situated between the latter ana inc
Rocky Mountains. The tiut is from 20 To I|V nllcS
IN breadth and includes the Willamet c, Umpqu'' 'u
Rogue River Valleys: the former running I'I'lioi
with and the latter at right angles to, the sea- Inc
valleys wary from 10 to 200 miles IN length anu
are from 10 10 20 miles vide The mlu"'e Poi'oi''
which consists mainly Of an elevated pH'eau' Is
about 100 miles broad while the upper country Is
mostly q desoate aud sterile region, occupying the
western slope of the Rocky Monnta n. The area OF
the State is diversified with valleys of the richest
agricultural and grazing lands, alternating with alb
rupt mountain ranges whose peaks rise to the hight
of 5000 feet above the level OF the sea, and are
oyercd with perpetual snow. The resources of this
region are extensive. rich, and varied, embracing
agricultural and mineral wealth combined
with vast forests Of tie finest timber,
fitted for every purpO c, and lneXhaustl-
bic water-pOwer for manufacturing purposes.
There is probably portion of the Union that COM
Lnes within the spgce to a similar extent, all
tho varied elements of wealth and steadily nereas-
ing prosperity, Pllc,r gold dggings have been eX-
tcnsvely worked for a number of years past, both III
southern Oregon and the northern portions of the
State; and exteniye lode5 of gold and silver-bear
ing quartz exist IN the same regions, which need only
the requisite capital for advantageous working, to
produce rich returns. The extensive coal-mines dis
covered at Goose Bay and other points, have been
prOftsbly worked for several years past; and large
deposits of copper lead. and irOn-the latter OF
purest quality, and ineXhauStIblc IN quantlty-are
distributed throughout the State. SILT springs, OF
large capacity and strength are also abundant. HE
liberal donations of land 10 actual settlers, made by
the General Government, gave the first impetus TO
immigration 10 the Territory of Oregon. The vast
wewatered and fertile valleys Of this region offer
ing the most favorable field for agriculture and the
raising Of stock and the operations of the first set
tiers were mainly confined 10 those branches; and
the unparalleled rush attendant upon the discovery
of gold i'm California at opened ready and re-
muneratiye market for these products. The climate
and soil of the agricultural portions of the state are
highly favorable to the growth OF every variety OF
produce common to the Western and Northern States
all the grains fruits and vegetables flOurishing here
IN the highest perfection with ordinary cultivation
Wheat oats, barley, potatoes, and apples, are the
staple products though peache- pears, plums, cher
ries and all the smaller fruits flourish finely and
vegetables of all kinds grow luXmantly. Expert
ments in the culture OF tobacco, flax, hemp hops,
and other products, have proved highly satisfactory
70 lovers of the floral queen, 1t may he said that the
soil and climate admirably adapted TO produce IN
voutuous growth the faires and sweetest of flowers.
Wild flowers bloom throughout the valleys in pro
fusion in most plea ing varieties, and can say for
the mldness of the Winters or rainy seasons, that
during eight ont of ten we picked strawberry bios
SONS in every month from December 10 March IN the
Willamette Valley; and, by the way, wild straw Der
RES of which there found siX varieties, almost
redden the prar in their season, and the same are
produced abundanly in gardens with triiling attcn
ton Fruit-ree grow very thrifty the bark look
ing green and healthy They bear earlier and IN
greater abundance and larger fruit than in any other
portion of the Union, and some new varieties have
been produced juicy and fine favored Oregon shonld
make handsome export of dried and canned fruits
apples pears peaches, and the small varieties She
exports annually to California and the Islands some
$4,000 bushels Of apples. This State is admirably
adapted to sheep-raising the common diseases which
carry of so many in other portions of the Union being
almost totally unknown, and the increase. owing 10
the climate is much greater. Wooden factories have
been started manufacturing large amount of cloths,
blankets &c. some of which have been exported.
Flax is a good crop and oil-mills are in operation.
Paper-ms are beginning to give us paper, and our
inexhaustibe irOn-ore beds are being developed
Already specimens of the iron from the heavy works
their way to New York and are said to be of the
finest quality. Oregon has of the finest Touring
mlls. for their capacity in the Union They are
turning out from her incompatible wheat their thou
sands OF barrels for export. considerable amount
has found its way TO this market and IS eagerly
sought by judges of a fine article. California has
thus far had most credit for this export but Oregon
brands viii soon We trust be known in the Eastern
markets and pass To her full credit The Willamette
Valley alone is capable by fair cultivation, of pro-
lueng 100000 bushels of wheat per annum, with
other grains in ample proportion. which estimate is
abundantly suggestive of the future greatness of the
State when the Great Pacific Railroad, and others
had in contemplation for her special development
Iullt completed We venture to give in the follow
ing a fair estimate Of her products, stock, &c, for
iS6i:
Acres In cultivation, 10000; Wheat bush, 100000
Barley. BUSH 10000; Oats, bush, 100000; Corn bush,
5000: Rye bush, 5000 Tobacco, n, 9eOO0 tuns Hay,
5000; Potatoes bbls, 10000; Onions, bush. 10000
Wool 70. 100000 Cattle, 100000 Horses, 5000; Hogs,
Cheese $1,000 b Precious Metals, s5ooo,OOO
Our mines Of gold and silver are, we may say, but
inst beginning TO be developed, and California has
hitherto had much of the credit of our shipments to
the East II should be said to the credit Of Oregon
as an agricultural regon what hardly be SAID Of
any other portion of the Union, that the promise Of
seed-time and harvest has never failed her harvests
have always been abundant; we believe the stan OI
Oregon has never been broken; and during harvest
the weather is unusually fine: finer Autumns ever
cheered the farmer ina gathering in his ripening
sheayes.
The waters Of Oregon also promise TO yield their
tribute 10 increase the wealth and luxury of the
State in the salmon apd other fisheries at the mouth
of the Columbia. Finer salmon probably were
never taken from any water. Thousands of barrels
are taken every season. and when they are once in
troduced into this market and a supply kept in store
they will Weld handsome revenue to the state and