Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/194

188 sufficient to perfect the crops of grain, which, except Indian Corn, are more abundant, and surer, than in the United States. The temperature at this season is near the same that it is in the same latitude East of the Mountains, except the nights, which are quite cool during the whole year, so that a person may sleep in midsummer comfortably under a pair of blankets. These cool nights are doubtless injurious to the growth of Indian Corn, which does not flourish and produce abundantly in this country. The sky, through the Summer, is usually clear, and on the plains a gentle breeze is generally blowing from the sea, which renders the Summers remarkably agreeable and healthy. The natural vegetation of the country is all of a giant growth. We have spoken of the Fir's attaining to the height of three hundred feet; many others, of the smaller kinds of vegetation, are in the same proportion. We have seen the common Elder growing from six to twelve inches in diameter, and the Hazel very commonly from four to six inches. There are several different kinds of wild fruit in the country, which are not found in the United States, and several which are, although it is not more abundant here than in the States. The cultivated fruits common in the States, such as the apple, peach, and pear, appear to come to perfection, though but little attention has yet been paid to grafting and cultivation, consequently there is but little fruit of a good quality. The grape, although not a native of Oregon, and not found anywhere West of the Rocky Mountains, and North of 42 deg., in a wild state, having been planted at Vancouver, is said to produce well. The wheat grown in Oregon is of a very superior quality; the grain is larger, fuller, heavier, and in every way finer than that grown in the States. The quantity produced, with the same cultivation, on the same extent of ground, we also think, is something more, but the difference is greater in quality than