.550 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
LARAMIE PLAINS. 
This secti¢n is bounded on the east and northeast by the Black 
Hills, on the west by the West Rattlesnake Hills, and on the sonth- 
west by the Medicine Bow Mountains. It is somewhat quadran- 
gular in shape, its average length from southeast to northwest being 
about ninety miles, and average width from northeast to southwest 
about seventy-five miles, containing (exclusive of the surrounding 
mountains) a surface area of about six thousand seven hundred and 
fifty square miles, or nearly 4,500,000 acres, It is drained chiefly by 
the Medicine Bow and Laramie Rivers and their tributaries, both 
afiluents. of the North Platte, which also traverses the extreme border, 
The Laramie, rising in the mountains at the southeast angle, flows along 
the eastern side to the northeast angle of the section, where it breaks 
through the Black Hills, and joins the North Platte in the eastern plains. 
The Medicine Bow, receiving affluents from each side, the principal ones 
coming from thesouth, flows through the western part of the seetion, 
and joins the North Platte on the western border. The North Platte 
makes its exit at the northwest angle of the plains, where, bursting through 
the mountains, it bends eastward. The surface varies considerably 
in character and elevation, some of it presenting beautiful meadow ex- 
panses, while other portions are rolling and hilly, and but sparsely 
covered with vegetation. The average elevation of these plains is about 
6,500 feet above the level of the sea, but the height varies as much as 
1,700: feet, counting from the water levels. As most of the streams 
afford an ample supply of water during the irrigating season, their 
volume and fall become important items in estimating the amount of 
land which may be brought under cultivation, and it is therefore a 
matter of regret that we have not more accurate information om these 
points in regard to the larger streams throughout this region. 
The North Platte, at the railroad crossing, has an elevation of 6,477 
feet, and at the mouth of the Sweetwater 6,000 feet, above the level of 
the sea, showing a fall in this distance of about 480 feet, or 7 feet to the 
mile, Medicine Bow River at Medicine Bow station has an elevation 
of 6,698 feet, and at its: junction with the Platte about 6,300 feet, a dif 
ference of nearly 400 feet, or about 8 feet to the mile. Laramie River 
at Laramie City is 7,123 feet above the level of the sea, and at the point — 
where it enters the Black Hills about 5,400 feet, a difference of over 
1,700: feet, giving the very rapid fall of 18 feet to the mile. These 
figures develop the important fact that mot only the bottoms, but also 
the upper levels, except where they are very high, can be irrigated, 
which fact must increase the estimate of the tillable lands of the seetion to. 
an amount considerably beyond the area of the bottoms. 
The southeast part, to which the name “ Laramie Plains,” or “ Lara- 
mie Valley,” is sometimes limited, is decidedly the best portion of the 
section, and contains much the largest proportion of arable land. From 
the head of this valley on the east to Rock Creek on the west it is about 
seventy miles long, with an average width of about twenty-five miles, 
giving an area of one thousand seven hundred and fifty square miles. 
Although it is interrupted at some points by ridges beyond the reach 
of irrigation, especially the divide between the Laramie and the Medi- 
cine Bow, it may be safely estimated that one-half of it can be irrigated 
and brought under cultivation. The greater portion of this beautiful 
valley is covered with a rich growth of grass, and presents the appear- 
ance of one broad meadow. Already numerous herds of cattle and 
horses can be seen roaming over this meadowy expanse, where they feed 
