to take their flocks to Eastern Oregon and Washington Territory, thus bringing the sheep into a drier climate, which will eventually, when shown to be more profitable, cause the breeding to a considerable extent of a finer breed of sheep. Our wool-growers have not bred up to the standard attained by California woolgrowers; and, though our wool brings high prices, owing to its being of a year's growth and answering for combing-wool, still, we think, after being forced to go east of the Cascades they will find it profitable to give more attention to breeding for fine wool. In a climate such as is found east of the Cascades, experience has shown that fine-wool merino sheep do better than any other kind. Our factories have had difficulty in obtaining fine wool enough in Oregon for their use, and consequently have been forced to obtain supplies from San Francisco. The demand for a few years past for long wool induced many wool-growers in the older States and also in California to breed for long wool, but that demand is likely to be met by wool-growers East, who are given the preference owing to the wool being of a finer texture; but for fine wool there always exists a demand at round figures, and, let the supply be ever so large, still it will find a ready market."—Democratic Era.
"State Agricultural Society.—The exhibition served to show that, whatever may be the capacity of the State, the dairy interest is not fully developed. The cattle-yards exhibit the same facts. There were a few very nice cattle—Durhams and Devons, and grades from these, but not one animal had been bred for the milking quality. In fact, I am led to believe that such are not in the State.
"The Oregon farmer prides himself on his horses, and certainly many not without good cause. The improvement of the stock is made the excuse for the race-track for the 'trial of speed,' as it is termed. It is certainly a misnomer to call these races a trial of speed. They would more properly be known as a trial of skill in horse-jockeying, of attempts to deceive the bystanders—in a word, a perfect gambling-shop. While telling the truth in this matter, let me exonerate at least a large majority of the gentlemen managers of the society and fair. Their aim has been, and is, higher than merely to draw a crowd and give them an opportunity of betting. In the matter of this race-track they have an elephant on their hands, that is yearly degenerating the character of the fair, which in part will account for