238 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



one-fourth of the entire district; and within its bounds are contained 

 the choice lands and chief population of Utah. 



Beginning at the north end of the lake, and moving east and then 

 south, I will describe the country, so far as my observation and informa- 

 tion extend, by valleys, in the order in which they come. 



I did not visit either Hansee Spring Valley or Blue Spring Valley, 

 which lie north of the promontory; nor did I succeed in obtaining any 

 very definite information concerning the agricultural capacity of either; 

 but from all I could learn I am satisfied they contain very little arable 

 land. The former is not supplied with streams that will furnish water 

 for irrigation, and the principal stream in the latter is very strongly 

 impregnated with saline matter. The southern portions of these valleys 

 have a barren appearance, and are but sparsely covered with vegetation ; 

 the soil is also saturated with salt or alkali. Farther north there are 

 probably some better portions and some small areas susceptible of cul- 

 tivation, and grass may also be found near the mountains. 



The Malade Valley, which extends north into Idaho, is drained by 

 the Malade River, and is a very pretty, fertile section ; and, including 

 the shore of Bear River Bay, is about forty miles long, with an average 

 width of five miles. It contains about one hundred and fifty square 

 miles of land which may be irrigated, and in the northern part are some 

 fine fields of grass. Although the Malade River is narrow, it sends 

 down a considerable volume of water, sufficient, I think, to irrigate all 

 the level land of the valley as far south as the "gate," or canon, through 

 which Bear River emerges. From this point water can be drawn from 

 the latter stream to irrigate the south end of the valley. Although a 

 portion of the land near the bay may be unfit for agricultural purposes, 

 yet several thousand acres can be brought under cultivation in the 

 vicinity of Corinne, where it would doubtless prove quite profitable. 



The Cache Valley, the next one to the east, is an expansion of the 

 otherwise ribbon-like valley of Bear River, and extends north and south 

 from the divide between Muddy and Box Elder into the southern border 

 of Idaho. Its length from Paradise to the mountains above Franklin 

 is about fifty miles, varying in width from six to sixteen and averaging 

 as much as twelve miles. About one-half of its area, or three hundred 

 square miles, can be irrigated and rendered suitable for cultivation. 

 Not only can the bottoms be irrigated, but the benches and uplands 

 between Paradise and Franklin may be reached by digging ditches a 

 few miles in leugth ; for, in addition to the river, there are numerous 

 little streams running down into the valley from the Wahsatch Moun- 

 tains on the east, as follows : Muddy, Blacksmith's Fork, High Fork, 

 Gros Bois Creek, and Logan's Fork, and Rush Creek from the west, 

 all of which afford water. 



This is probably the finest grazing section in the entire basin, and sit- 

 uated as it is near the junction of three railroads, must become a favorite 

 pasture ground for stock-raisers and stock-traders. Occasionally, feed- 

 ing may be required for a short time in the winter, on account of the 

 snow, but this seldom extends over three or four weeks during the sea- 

 son. This is also one of the best wheat-growing valleys in the district, 

 being second to none but the San Pete. It is colder than the valley of 

 the Jordan, as is also that of the Malade, and therefore not so well 

 adapted to fruit or corn as the sections farther south, yet apples and the 

 hardier fruits can be raised. The attractive features and situation of 

 this valley have drawn a considersble population here, so that already 

 between thirty and thirty-five thousand acres have been irrigated. 



Box Elder, and the other little streams that connect with it, are bor- 



