Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/255

Rh England in the future, and I can see no reason why eastern breeders should not get their exhibit stock from the Pacific Coast, instead of going to England for it.

With the long, hard winters which we have to contend with in the middle west, it is very difficult to grow lambs and young sheep to the greatest perfection in the first year, and for this reason exhibitors import their show stock from England. So soon as Oregon breeders take hold of the matter as they should, I believe they can challenge the world in the production of high-class sheep.

I do not know of a better flock of Dorset sheep on the continent than the flock of Mr. Scott of Menomone, and I think the best Shropshire lamb I have seen in years was exhibited by Mr. C. E. Ladd. I am taking some samples of wool from this flock to Wisconsin University for exhibition purposes in the classroom, as I have never found its equal in length of staple and strength of fiber.

This is in line with the prediction of Mr. Peale, the naturalist, who, as a member of Wilkes' Expedition, was in Oregon in 1842, and said:—

"Oregon will be a fine sheep country, as for the health of sheep upland pastures are necessary, and your even, moderate climate, permitting the fur-bearing animals to carry their fine furs throughout the year, will do the same for the wool of sheep."

It also accords with results attained by leading breeders in both Western and Eastern Oregon. Dr. James Withycombe, now at the head of the Oregon Experiment Station, of English birth, has been a breeder of both Cots wold and Merino sheep, and believes with Professor Carlyle that Western Oregon can produce Cotswolds superior to England.

There is another and still more important product of sheep husbandry than that breeding the best sheep. Independent manhood is doing much and enduring much as a pioneer of law order and thereby advancing the be-