FLORA OF HONEY LAKE VALLEY. 6 



The sparse population of Honey Lake Valley, almost restricted 

 to the western and southern portions, depends upon agriculture for 

 its support. The principal industry is that of grazing and hay pro- 

 duction, fine cattle and horses being raised. The sage-brush covered 

 hills on the north and east, though apparently destitute of any 

 nourishing vegetation, furnish spring and autumn pasturage to 

 many thousand head of cattle, horses and sheep. In summer the 

 stock are driven into the higher pine-clad mountains around Eagle 

 and Horse Lakes, where native grasses are said to grow in greater 

 abundance. In winter they are corralled and fattened on " wild 

 hay," cut from the " wild meadows" of the Tule Confederacy in the 

 summer. Excellent apples, pears, plums, gooseberries and other 

 small fruits are also produced, and on the west side, where the Sierra 

 affords shelter from cold winds and provides numerous springs and 

 small streams, peaches are grown to some extent. 



Presumably the whole region for many miles north and east of 

 Honey Lake Valley is similar to it as regards topography, geology 

 aud botany. Mr. Marcus E. Jones, of Salt Lake City, Utah, who 

 recently crossed the divide north of Susan ville, to Horse Lake, writes 

 that "Horse Lake Valley is a duplicate of the region about Honey 

 Lake." It has an elevation about 1,000 feet greater than the latter. 



A brief reconnoissance of the summer flora of this interesting 

 alkali region, was made by the writer, under directions from the 

 Department of Agriculture of the University of California, between 

 June 17 and 24 of this year. Only about 300 specimens were 

 collected, it being impossible in the limited time and with the facili- 

 ties at hand, to make specimens of every species seen, especially as 

 the showery weather prevented rapid drying. Two and a half days 

 were spent at Amedee, the railroad terminus, near the hot springs 

 on the north side of the valley. The balance of the time was devoted 

 to the Tule Confederacy, some ten miles west of Amedee, including 

 most of the valley lying west of the lake, to within 11 miles of Susau- 

 ville. Time would not allow a visit to the interesting slopes of the 

 Sierra Nevada, south of the lake. 



FLORA OF THE VALLEY FLOOR. 



The floor of the valley is covered with a growth of more or 

 less gray-colored spiny shrubs, varying from two to four, and in 



