EEPOET. 



Dear Sir : I herewith present a report of my investigations in regard 

 to the agricultural capacity of that part of the Rocky Mountain region 

 over which your operations as United States geologist have extended 

 during the past season. Although the immediate route of this expedi- 

 tion was confined principally to Wyoming Territory, I have, in accord- 

 ance with your instructions, endeavored to complete my report on that 

 part of Colorado and New Mexico examined in 1869. By your direction 

 I also visited the Salt Lake basin, and have added a short account of 

 that interesting section, including a few items concerning other portions 

 of Utah. 



At the risk of being somewhat monotonous by the repetition of sim- 

 ilar details, I have endeavored to confine myself strictly within the lim- 

 its of the subject upon which I have been required to report. 



Instead of giving details in a journalistic form, which would have 

 amounted to little more than an itinerary, I have endeavored to follow out 

 as far as possible the plan pursued in my report of last year, describing 

 the areas in these Territories drained by the large rivers, as separate dis- 

 tricts. I have divided the entire region into two parts called u divi- 

 sions," one including the area east of the divide, between the waters of 

 the Atlantic and Pacific, and the other the area west of it. The east- 

 ern division contains five districts, corresponding with the Rio Grande, 

 Arkansas, South Platte, North Platte, and Wind Rivers. The western 

 comprises the Green River District and Great Salt Lake basin. 



I have attempted in most instances to make some estimate of the 

 amount of tillable lands in the different districts and sections. 



As a matter of course I do not claim that these are anything more 

 than approximations, made in some instances upon slender data, yet 

 they are not mere guesses, but are made up from estimates of the smal- 

 ler subdivisions and separate areas, and are, at least, near enough the 

 correct amounts to give a general idea of the agricultural value of the 

 different districts and sections. Although I exclude from these esti- 

 mates any probable future success and use of artesian wells, yet I in- 

 clude all possible present means of irrigation. 



Respecting those parts of these sections which I was unable to visit 

 in person, I have endeavored to obtain the most reliable information 

 possible. 



Your operations during the past season have developed the fact that 

 in regions which have generally been considered sterile and unproduc- 

 tive, there are large areas of land which by proper efforts may be ren- 

 dered tillable and made to produce useful crops. 



In my investigations I have constantly looked forward to the con- 

 struction of a map of these Territories which will show the comparative 

 extent and locality of the irrigable areas, the pastoral lands, and the 

 timbered sections. Such a map, accompanied by a condensed state- 

 ment of all important facts connected therewith, would not only be of 

 great value to those who contemplate removing to the West, but would 

 be a valuable vade mecum for our public officers, Senators and Represent 

 tatives, and the public generally. 



