WATER. 193 



The third class of soils might very well be classed as a variety of the sec- 

 ond class, as the most of their material has been brought from a different 

 locality than that where they are found. They were, however, deposited by 

 different agencies, and are somewhat different in composition. They contain 

 more clay, and consequently are of a very red color. They are found along 

 the present courses of the rivers and creeks, and might with propriety be 

 called bottom lands. There is ordinarily more timber on them than upon 

 either of the others. Where these lands have been put into cultivation they 

 have proven of equal fertility with any others in the district. They usually 

 do not lie in as large bodies as does the second class of lands mentioned in 

 this report. 



Soils that are derived from one stratum are very often lacking in some essen- 

 tial ingredient that goes to make up an ideal soil, and this must be supplied 

 by artificial means. Soils formed as these are contain all the principal ingredi- 

 ents necessary in a good soil. In a word, they are all that could be desired 

 for agricultural purposes and will not be easily exhausted. 



FERTILIZERS. 



The principal fertilizers to be obtained in this district are the gypsum and 

 gypseous marls found principally in the Double Mountain Beds of the Per- 

 mian. These occur everywhere in inexhaustible quantities wherever those 

 beds are found. Their value as a fertilizer is very great, and if upon analy- 

 sis the soils should be found lacking in the qualities which these substances 

 furnish, it will be no great task to supply the missing quality. 



The gypsum occurs in all conditions of purity, from the pure transparent 

 selenite to the more massive varieties. The beds are often 25 feet thick, and 

 are the most abundant rocks in the Upper Permian. 



WATER. 



It has already been said that in many places the country is well supplied 

 with water. No difficulty has been experienced in any locality in getting 

 water in shallow wells ranging from 20 to 50 feet in depth. Other wells 

 have been sunk to 100 or more feet, where a still greater amount of water 

 was obtained. The water is generally impregnated with carbonate of lime, 

 and in the Double Mountain Beds it is all impregnated with gypsum. 



Stock water is furnished by the rivers and creeks, and by tanks con- 

 structed in such localities as are too distant from the natural supply of water 

 for the cattle to reach them and return to their pasturage. 



M 



