151 



lias an average elevation of about eiglit thousand feet above tlie level of 

 the sea. It seems once to have been the bed of a large mountain lake, 

 into which immense masses of boulders were precipitated from the west- 

 ern mountain rim ; but the lake, bursting through the eastern rim, near 

 Caiion City, gave vent to the accumulated watery mass, which, rushing 

 down the main channel, has furrowed out these vast boulder deposits, 

 leaving well-marked shore-lines, mounds, foot-hills, and beautiful little 

 cross valleys. One of these little valleys, about eight or ten miles long 

 and six or seven wide, is exceedingly beautiful and quite fertile. It 

 has not escaped the keen eyes of the roving pioneers, for already it has 

 a sufficient po]Hilation to form a school district ; and there, amid the 

 dark gray basaltic peaks that shoot their sharp lines far above the moun- 

 tain S3'lva, the eye is cheered with the sight of rosy youthful faces as 

 they enter the common-school room. 



As rich milk and delicious butter can be produced here as at any point 

 in the Union. A luxuriant growth of nutritious grasses covers the en- 

 tire valley, in fact nearly the entire park. At one point the Pijins edulis 

 or pinou, grows in abundance, and around the entire border runs a broad 

 fringe of pines interspersed here and there with an aspen grove. 



Irish potatoes and turnips yield abundant crops, of large growth and 

 most excellent flavor. Barley can be raised, and produces a moderate 

 crop ; while oats come up fully to the western average. Wheat can 

 also be grown ; but spring wheat, being sown rather late, is sometimes 

 injured iu, the fall by the frost ; the introduction of winter varieties is 

 remedying this difficulty. Other vegetables, besides those named, as 

 cabbages, onions, &c., can also be very easily raised. 



Although occupying such an elevated position, yet shielded, as the 

 park is, by the surrounding mountain ranges from the bleak winds, its 

 ^\dnter is comparatively mild, cattle being able to graze most of the year. 



This little mountain valley possesses peculiar interest from the fact 

 that it is surrounded by rich mines, which are just beginning to attract 

 attention ; and which ere long will doubtless create a demand for all the 

 productions that can be raised on the arable portions of it. A mill is 

 already in operation on one of the streams which cross the park. 



COMMEECIAL FEETILIZEES II!^ C0:N^XECTICUT. 



The legislature of Connecticut at its last session enacted the follow- 

 ing law concerning the manufacture and sale of commercial fertilizers 

 in that State : 



Section 1. Commercial manures sold, or kept for sale iu this State, sliall have affixed 

 to every bag, barrel, or parcel thereof, which may coutaiu fifty pouuds or upward, an 

 esi>ecial name or trade-mark by which the same may be kuowu or designated, with the 

 name and place of business of the manufacturers or seller, together with a true analysis 

 or specification of the chemical elements, aud theii" several amounts contained therein, 

 and also the quantity contained in the package. 



Sec. 2. Any manufacturer or trader who shall sell or oifer for sale any such package, 

 and who shall neglect to afl&x such stamp, impress, or card, as is provided in section 

 first of this act, or who shall affix a stamp, impress, or card, claiming five per cent, 

 more of any fertilizing ingredient than is contained in the liackage, shall forfeit ten 

 dollars for each aud every one hundred pouuds of the material so sold, or otfered for 

 sale, without the proper mark as directed in section first, to be recovered before any 

 tril)unal of competent jurisdiction, one-half to the State, and one-half to the prosecu- 

 tor of the same. 



Sec. 3. The provisions of this act shall not apply to fish pomace, nor to any manure 

 prepared essentially from fish and sold as such, nor to any other commercial manure, 

 which is sold at a price not exceeding oue cent per pound. 



Sec. 4. The secretary of the Connecticut Board of Agriculture is hereby authorized, 

 at his discretion, to procure the analysis of any fertilizer off"ered for sale in this State, 

 and to prosecute persons who violate the provisions of this act. 



