(";iHf(irni;i. Their diincnsions include lofty mountain ranp;es, deep 

 and jj;l(){)ni\ canons, lewi plains stretchint; to the horizon and depres- 

 sions like ncath xalh'v in California which is ,v^7 feet below the 

 sea leNt'l. 



PLATE 2. 

 Sand Hills near Sandy. "The Devil's Playground." 



However, these immense tracts have no Oases similar to those 

 in the great Sahara of Africa, although they contain, separated by 

 long distances one from the other, small springs and water-holes 

 which lie concealed by surrounding scant brush-growth, reedy vegeta- 

 tion and quiete or desert grass. 



Comparatively small portions of these great areas are composed 

 exclusively of the ravaging and annihilating sand, the larger portion 

 producing innumerable varieties of the cactus family, such as the 

 Joshuas or yucca palms, prickly-pear, and the savage cholla and 

 Spanish dagger, sage brush, mesquite, grease-wood and other plants 

 indigenous to arid surroundings where a water supply from streams 

 or rain-fall is almost unknown. 



We present herewith some half-tone views made from photo- 

 graphs of various localities. Plates 1, 2 and 3 show areas of sand 

 which nature has not blessed with vegetation. 



The sparse growth of the productive soil is seen in plates, 4, 5, 

 6 and 7. 



The bountiful and rich crops which have been produced from 

 ground of similar chemical combinations in Arizona, that have been 

 watered by great irrigation system.s, most assuredly indicate that 

 when a future shall see these lands lying under water brought to them 

 by private enterprise or government appropriation, an enormous life 

 supporting area will be added to the agricultural interests of our 

 country. 



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