24 



to the northwest, and by their height they would deflect the southwest winds, 

 from their natural direction towards the northwest, or from the southeast. 

 Hence, the eastern winds caused by rains would naturally unite with the 

 deflected southwest winds, and aid their deflection. The union would present the 

 fact stated by our correspondent, " that during the wet season the winds 

 invariably blow from the southeast." 



As this machinery follows the sun, the northern edge of the dry trade-wind a 

 has been receding to the south since the 21st of June; so that most of Cali- 

 fornia will soon be able to receive the rains brought by the true southwest wind, 

 for the upper current of moist winds coming from the equator descends to the 

 earth immediately beyond the northern edge of the dry trade-winds. 



COLORADO TERRITORY. 



From this Territory we have returns from the following counties : El Paso, 

 Larimer, Boulder, Clear Creek, Conejos, Arapahoe, Huerfano, Pueblo, and 

 Jeff'erson. 



The climate of this Territory varies much according to the altitude of the 

 counties. The winter was a severe one, and rendered the more unfavorable for 

 stock, by reason of the severe drought last fall. Fruit trees in Boulder county, 

 from Iowa and Illinois, set out last year, generally perished, but native seed- 

 lings were unhurt. At Boulder City, hay was worth $G0 per ton, and corn 10 

 cents per pound. 



The month of February was pleasant ; March, dry and windy ; April, snowy, 

 cold, and wet ; May, cold and very wet ; June, more favorable ; and July more 

 so than June. In this last month the grass in the mountains was more abund- 

 ant than at any previous season, vegetation luxurious, and wild fruits abundant. 



In regard to grain crops the returns show a rapid increase in per cent, over 

 the crops of last year. The crops are spring wheat, barley, corn and oats. 

 But summer crops require irrigation. In Huerfano county, which is 35 miles 

 from the foot of the mountains, corn is the staple crop, where frost does not 

 ajDpear until late in October. The increase of these crops ranges from 50 to 500 

 per cent, according as the county has been longer or more recently settled, but 

 the general average of increased production may be placed at from 75 to 100 per 

 cent. 



With a climate so unknown, and in altitudes so various, and so much higher 

 than the farmers have been accustomed to in the States from which they emi- 

 grated, agriculture is yet in Colorado an experiment. But the abuniiant mineral 

 wealth gives great encouragement, and with experience will come greater suc- 

 cess. To record that experience and success is the earnest desire of the Depart- 

 ment, and therefore it solicits an extensive correspondence from every portion 

 of the Territory, and will be ever ready to give whatever aid it can in the 

 development of its agricultural industry. 



UTAH TERRITORY. 



The counties reporting to the Department from this Territory are Utah' 

 Weber, Washington, San Pete, Beaver, Davis, Salt Lake, and Box Elder. 



In February the climate was cold and frosty ; in March, cold and windy, 

 with rain in the latter half of the mouth ; the month of April was very dry, but 

 in the latter half of May, fine growing rains fell. In June and July, the 

 weather was dry and wet alternately. There were variations from this state of 

 the weather in some counties, but nothing that demands a particular notice. 



During the present season there is no portion of the Union that has made 

 returns indicating as favorable condition of the crops as Utah, There is evi- 

 dently a steady advance in its agriculture, and the indications are that this 



