THE IRRIGA TIOX A GE. 155 



lovelier prospect than the one spread out below and before us. The 

 valley is about forty miles long and from five to fifteen miles wide. 

 It was formerly all under water but the frowning walls of Snake River 

 canon show it has been drained. At the north end Jackson -Lake, 

 twelve miles long and three miles wide, skirts the base of the Teton 

 range which is the most impressive collection of lofty peaks and pre- 

 cipitous canons I have ever seen. 



It is a misfortune that a region possessed of such attractions 

 should be so cut off from the rest of the world. There are places in 

 the state which can be left to solitude without loss to anyone, but a 

 region which lies within a day's drive of Yellowstone Park and whose 

 lakes and mountains are destined to make it one of the show places of 

 the globe ought to be filled with settlers. The few who have crossed 

 the barriers are pleased with their new home and all who have worked 

 are prosperous. The elevation, 6,000 to 6,500 feet above sea level, 

 will always prevent the growth of certain crops, but the hardier 

 grains and vegetables can be cultivated. 



In reply to my inquiries regarding this Mr. Robert E. Miller, one of 

 the earliest settlers and most prosperous ranchmen in the valley, fur- 

 nished me the following statement of its products and possibilities: 



The crops in this valley are principally hay native, red top, tim- 

 othy and alfalfa. 



Potatoes are not a sure crop. 



Rutabagas, turnips, carrots, parsnips and cabbage are sure crops 

 cannot estimate the yield per acre of vegetables for lack of 

 experience. 



Hay of all kinds can be raised successfully, averaging from one 

 to two and a half tons per acre, owing to kind, season and attention. 



The future of our valley as a farming country is doubtful, as it 

 has frosts every month in the year. 



This valley is naturally adapted to cattle raising, being entirely 

 surrounded by high ranges of mountains that cut us off from all out- 

 side ranges. The low lands are limited, our winters are long, requir- 

 ing that all animals must be fed from ninety to one hundred and 

 twenty days each year. 



Then, with an unlimited summer range in comparison to the 

 amount of low land upon which must be raised the feed for winter, 

 this valley raises Wyoming's best cattle. 



The winters are severe. The sno^ fall is from two to four feet 

 in depth and as there is little wind it covers the grass and feed must 

 be provided for all live stock from December to April. The open 

 range industry as practiced elsewhere in the state is out of the ques- 

 tion here. Cattle are principally fed on native hay and the ease and 

 cheapness with which ditches can be built makes its production a 

 simple and inexpensive matter. I am confident, however, that the 

 future will see greater diversity of products than now is thought pos- 

 sible. There is every reason to believe that winter wheat will do 

 well. I saw some at Mr. Miller's of excellent quality. All kinds of 



