12 FORAGE CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS. 



basins in which they are situated. The}- are of themselves of no 

 economic importance for, supporting- no vegetation and having- no 

 outlets in ordinary times, they can not be profitably drained and 

 deprived of the superabundance of soluble salts. They have an 

 immediate connection, however, with the lands in their drainage 

 basins which are being rapidly reclaimed, as will be shown later. 



The topography of the Okanogan country differs from that of the 

 Big Bend mainly in being cut up into rolling grassy hills, which are 

 covered with forests of yellow pine on their shaded and higher slopes. 

 The level ground is comparatively small in extent, and when it occurs 

 on elevated regions, as is the case in large stretches on the Colville 

 Reservation north of Conden's Ferry, it is very likeh T to be too rocky 

 for cultivation; however, in mai places in the so-called "Bunch- 

 Grass Hills" there are areas of arable lands, and along all the water- 

 ways, especially the main Okanogan River, there are extensive tracts 

 of good hay land yet to be brought under control. 



The Big Bend, although a much more level area, still presents a 

 great diversity of topographical features. It may be briefly described 

 as a table-land, 1,000 to 1,500 feet high, underlaid by basaltic rock. 

 This general plateau has been cut in various places by deep gorges, 

 such as the bed of the Columbia, Grand, Moses, and Black Rock cou- 

 lees, exposing blutfs of basaltic columns, which are a familiar and 

 attractive sight in all of this region. In many places, usually in close 

 proximity to these gorges and especially in the vicinity of such depres- 

 sions as Moses Lake, the rock is laid bare, or nearly so, over very 

 extensive areas. These must remain permanent grazing grounds. 

 They are known locally as " scab lands," and are usually cut into shallow 

 ravines, being generally much rougher than those areas where the soil is 

 deeper. The irregularity of the erosive action has resulted in the for- 

 mation of numerous basin-like depressions, where water accumulates 

 and remains for short periods, especially during the winter and spring, 

 thereby furnishing supplies for range stock at those seasons of the 

 year. 



The Blue Mountains of Oregon and the Warner Mountains of Cal- 

 ifornia have much in common. They are generally forested, but 

 have at high elevations extensive areas of level or gently rolling lands, 

 either free from timber or only sparsel}" covered. In these areas. 

 usually designated as prairies or valleys, are found the nuclei of 

 prosperous communities. Among these may be mentioned Camas 

 Prairie, Long Creek. Bear Valley, and Silvies Valley in the Blue 

 Mountains, and Jess Valley in the Warner Mountains. These com- 

 munities are dependent almost entirely upon the stock industry for 

 their support. The lands in these regions are either fertile mountain 

 soils or rocky areas not susceptible of cultivation. The latter furnish 

 pasturage. The former are cropped, usually with hay crops. 



