WEST SHORE.
27!)
diameter, its height being readily estimated by comparing it with the man
standing by it. Such trees grow to the height of from 200 to 300 feet, the
fir being taller and tapering mora gradually than the cedar. A cargo of
lumber was recently shipped from Puget sound containing 809,000 feet, one
half of which was timbers ranging from 16x16 to 24x24 Inches thick and
from sixty-five to 120 feet in length. Some giant timbers, cut and squared,
will be sent from this region to the world's fair, to open the eyes of lumber
nfen from other states to the nature of the products of our forests and ca
pacity of our mills. The seat of greatest activity is along the bays on the
coast, such as Coquille river, Coos bay, Alsea river, Yaqulna bay, Tillamook
bay, Columbia river, Shotlwater bay, Gray's harbor and Paget sound. Saw
mills range in capacity from 60,000 to 200,000 feet per day, though there are
a number still greater, and three that approximate 600,000 feet daily, two of
them on Paget sound and one on the Willamette.
The predominating timber in the coast region is fir, formerly known
as Oregon pine, but now generally spoken of as Oregon fir, or Puget sound
fir. It has been found to be far superior for bridge timbers, railroad ties,
ship timbers, masts, spars, etc.,
to eastern pine, as it is tougher
and mora durable. It is now in
great demand for railroad and
ship building. The next most
extensive timber is the red ce
dar, which is need for finishing
lumber, and from which many
millions of shingles are cut an
nually. In Southern Oregon is
the sugar pine, a splendid tim
ber for house work and finish
ing j also, the Port Orford cedar,
a beautiful white cedar in much
demand. Spruce is also found
in considerable quantity along
the coast. Other varieties of
coniferous trees are found, but
not in great quantity. Maple,
oak, ash, Cottonwood, laurel,
chittimwood and alder
are the most valuable
bard woods found in
quantity. Lumber is
shipped to ill the Pa
cifio ports of North,
Central and South
America, the Sand
wich islands, Japan,
China, New Zealand
and Australia, and
special lots have been
sent around the Horn
to Atlantic ports of
America and Europe.
When the Nicaragua
canal is finished, ship
ping lumber to Atlan
tic ports will become
great Industry. By
rail it Is sent through
out the entire country
west of the Missouri
river. The Bine moun
tains, In Eastern Ore
gon, the Bitter Root,
Cornrd'Alene and Sal
mon river mountains,
in Idaho, the moun
tainous region In the
northern portion
of Eastern
and
the moun
tains of Wes
tern Montana
contain great
bodies of val
uable timber, the
fir predominating. Saw
mills are scattered through
this great area, sawing lumber
for the local markets, though some of them are shipping considerable quan
tities farther east It is from these forests the mines of that region draw
the immense quantities of timber necessary in their operations. Butte
City, large as it is, has a great deal mora timber in its mines underground
than in its buildings on the surface. There has been great activity the past
few years in securing timber lands In the northwest, and the best lands of
easy access from present transportation lines have nearly all been taken up.
There are, however, millions of acres not now so favorably situated not jet
taken, bnt which the rapid construction of new railroad lines will soon ren
der accessible.
One of the most profitable industries, and one that is growing In Im
portance yearly, is that of hop culture.' The climate Is conducive to lux
uriant growth, and the rich, alluvial soil of the river bottoms produces a
most prolific yield of large and peifect hops. The vines are free from in
sect pests and other of the enemies of the hop known In eastern yards, and
the picking season, in September, is usually favorable for a rapid and safe
harvesting of the crop. Hops were first raised in the Payallup valley,
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