232 GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



district until we pass Laramie River going north, when it begins to 

 assume the wave-like appearance noticed by Fremont. 



Some experiments have been made in farming and gardening around 

 Cheyenne, at Fort Fetterman and other points, which are, perhaps, the 

 coldest portions of the section, yet the results, so far as I can learn, 

 have been quite favorable. 



THE WIND BITER DISTRICT. 



As I did not have an opportunity of visiting this district, I can only 

 give such information respecting it as I derived from others. The prin- 

 cipal facts in regard to its extent and productions were obtained from 

 Major Baldwin, who is thoroughly acquainted with it, and who has a 

 farm there under cultivation. I also saw specimens of its productions 

 in quantity, which were brought to South Pass City for sale, which veri- 

 fied the statements made to me respecting its climate and fertility. It 

 is drained by the Wind (or Big Horn*) River and its tributaries, and is 

 situated between the Wind Biver Mountains on the west and Big Horn 

 Mountains on the east. From the borders of Little Popoagie to the Big 

 Horn Canon, its length is about one hundred and seventy-five miles, and 

 the average width of the country drained being about one hundred 

 miles, giving an area of seventeen thousand five hundred square miles. 

 It is supposed that one-twelfth of it, or about one thousand four hun- 

 dred square miles, can be irrigated and cultivated, but as I was unable 

 to obtain any estimate of its subdivisions, except that of the principal 

 valley, I cannot say that this is approximately correct, but I do not 

 think it exaggerated if the reports as to the supply of water be true. 



Wind River rises in Wind River Mountains, on the west side of the 

 district, and, flowing a little south of east for some sixty or seventy 

 miles, bends abruptly north, which is its general course from this point 

 until it passes out of the Territory. The length of its valley is estimated 

 at two hundred miles, and its width from two to fifteen, but it is inter- 

 rupted at some points, especially at the irregular range of hills or moun- 

 tains that crosses the district from east to west near the middle of its 

 length. 



The following tributaries flow into the main stream on the north and 

 west side: The North Fork, Owl Creek, Gray Bull, and Stinking Water 

 Creeks. On the south and west side are the following affluents : South 

 Fork, Buffalo Bull Creek, Big Popoagie River, Beaver Creek, and No- 

 Wood River. Little Wind River and Little Popoagie Creeks are tribu- 

 taries of Big Popoagie. All of these streams are bordered by more or 

 less arable land, which is generally quite fertile and can be irrigated, as 

 the supply of water is ample. I understand the Indian agency here 

 intends cutting a canal and drawing the water from Wind River above 

 the bend, which, it is estimated, will irrigate several thousand acres. 

 All of these streams, except No- Wood River, are skirted by heavy 

 growths of cottonwood and willow. Wheat, oats, and barley can be 

 raised with ease, the climate being sufficiently mild and the season of 

 sufficient length for them to mature, but it is rather severe for corn. 

 Potatoes and cabbages grow finely and of pretty good size, but the 

 turnips I saw, if a fair sample, did not indicate a favorable locality for 

 their production. Somewhat to my surprise, the beans raised here, of 

 which I examined several bushels in the green pods, were very large, 

 plump, and well filled, which would indicate a freedom from late frosts 



*This stream is called Wind River until it passes through the first range of moun- 

 tains, north of which it has received the name of Big Horn River. 



