222 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



part of the northern extension of the Laramie Valley, but judging from 

 that, and its rapid fall and the general features of the surrounding coun- 

 try, I am satisfied that not only the bottoms, but that a large amount 

 on the lower ridges and plateaus may be irrigated and cultivated. But 

 I am inclined to think that along a part of its northern course the bor- 

 dering regions are quite broken, and that the belt of arable land there 

 is small. The northwest angle of the section is also probably quite broken 

 and uneven, affording very little arable land. 



The climate, as might be inferred from the elevation and surroundings 

 of tbis basin, is somewhat severe, and the seasons short. But the great- 

 est drawback does not appear to be from these causes taken generally, 

 but from the occasional untimely frosts and gusts of snow which nip 

 the growing crops in the spring, or injure them later in the season when 

 nearly matured. The cold nights, as is generally the case in these high 

 regions, retard the growth especially of the cereals. Yet, notwithstand- 

 ing these drawbacks, the repeated experiments made during the past 

 four years have shown conclusively that useful crops can be raised here. 



I visited Laramie City August 3, for the purpose of examining the 

 garden of Dr. Latham, who has charge of a military hospital at this 

 place, and who is experimenting with various vegetables and cereals in 

 order to ascertain what can be raised here. I found this garden to be 

 quite extensive and in a flourishing condition. Here I saw a small 

 piece of barley, full-headed, well stooled, and of medium height ; also a 

 similar piece of wheat, which, though sowed late, presented a very fine 

 appearance. The potatoes and turnips were remarkably fine. Peas 

 grow very large and thrifty, as I can testify from the excellent ones I 

 ate at the doctor's table, and which I saw gathered from the vines in his 

 garden. His beets were making a vigorous growth, as were also the fol- 

 lowing vegetables : winter squashes, cabbages, beans, lettuce, onions, 

 carrots, radishes, &c. I pulled some turnips in another field, which 

 were at least six inches in diameter, the seed from which they grew 

 having been sown the 15th day of May. The tops were remarkably 

 large and succulent. I did not have time to visit the garden under 

 charge of the officers stationed at Fort Sanders, but I understood it was 

 in a flourishing condition. These experiments, as I learn from a former 

 report made by Dr. Hayden, w r ere commenced about 1866 by General 

 Gibbon, and have, with commendable zeal, been continued by the offi- 

 cers in command of the post. 



Oats appear to grow and mature wherever tried in the valley. 



These experiments, and others made along Laramie Biver, Bock 

 Creek, and at other points, continued as they have been for several 

 years, certainly settle the question as to the practicability of farming in 

 the Laramie Plains. The points where they have been made are the 

 highest on the Plains, and, I am rather inclined to believe, the coldest 

 portion. 



Although this section may not be an agricultural region in the broader 

 sense of the term, yet its situation renders it a matter of deep "interest 

 to know that the hardier vegetables, and such cereals as wheat, oats, and 

 barley, can be raised here ; for, placed in the center of the mountains, 

 on the great thoroughfare between the Atlantic to the Pacific, with a 

 broad barren plain to the west, and a mountain stretch to the east, it 

 is very desirable to have here a halting place. 



The business of the road necessary at the termini of divisions, stock- 

 raising, temporary grazing of passing herds, lumbering, and probably 

 coal-mining, will bring here a considerable population. 



There is perhaps no finer grazing section in Wyoming than this. The 



