REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OBSERVATORIES 89 



were not very pronounced. The seeing was rated at 3. Telescope 

 was dismounted during the forenoon. 



The summit of Mount Wilson consists of perhaps 200 acres of 

 more or less rolling ground, intersected by ravines of moderate 

 depth, sparsely covered with splendid pines, with open grassy spaces 

 of considerable extent, affording ample and excellent sites for build- 

 ings, large or small, with sufficient room to meet the needs of a 

 large community. The summit proper is situated near the south- 

 west point of this area. Here, in the vicinity of the old building 

 known as the Casino, is, in my opinion, the best site for observatory 

 purposes. 



To the southwest of the Casino the ground drops away rapidly 

 and is covered as far as one can see down into the canyon with a 

 dense growth of chaparral, giving an evergreen covering that 

 effectively shades the ground at all times. The spurs to the south- 

 east of the summit are also largely covered with a growth of chapar- 

 ral and in places also with a larger growth of oak and pine. In this 

 direction, however, the covering is not always so complete as toward 

 the southwest. This is due to the more precipitous character of the 

 mountain side in this direction, making it less easy for vegetation to 

 gain and retain a foothold. Nevertheless the whole barren areas are 

 of comparatively small extent, and this is especially so in the vicinity 

 of the Casino. Moreover, the barren areas near the Casino are not 

 generally solid rock, but slides of decomposed granite, and over 

 these slides it would be possible with intelligent care to foster a 

 growth of chaparral which would eventually more or less completely 

 cover them. 



In this connection it is well to hold in mind the abundant supply 

 of water that is within reach at Strain's camp, only a third of a 

 mile north of the Casino and less than 300 feet lower. Here are 

 wells which at the present time are constantly overflowing. Even 

 after a series of dry seasons it was found that the upper of these 

 wells alone would by pumping yield a constant supply of not less 

 than 25 gallons a minute. This would be sufficient for the scientific 

 and domestic purposes of a large observatory, and also for irriga- 

 tion purposes, should irrigation ever be found desirable. Consid- 

 ering their nearness to the summit and the difficulties that are ordi- 

 narily encountered in finding water near the tops of mountains in 

 southern California, these wells must be regarded as little short of 

 phenomenal. If Mount Wilson should be selected as the site for an 

 observatory, it would be eminently desirable that the Observatory 

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