440 PUGET SOUND AND OKONAGAN. 



The height of Mount Rainier was obtained by measuring a base 

 line on the prairies, in whicli operation I was assisted by Lieutenant 

 Case, and the triangulation gave for its height, twelve thousand three 

 hundred and thirty feet. 



While engaged in these duties, I noticed from a point of the 

 prairie, the white cones of both Mount St. Helen's and Mount Hood 

 very distinctly. These mountains all resemble each other closely, 

 and appear in some points of view as perfect cones. They give 

 great interest and grandeur to the scenery. Mount Rainier is at 

 all times a very striking object from the prairies about Nisqually, 

 rising as it does almost imperceptibly from the plain, with a gradual 

 slope, until the snow-line is reached, when the ascent becomes more 

 precipitous. 



The ascent of these mountains has never been effected, but it was 

 my intention to attempt it, if my other duties had permitted, as I 

 was very anxious to get a view of their terminal craters. The absence 

 of the Peacock, however, and the great amount of work necessarily 

 devolving on the rest of the squadron, made it impossible for me to 

 undertake this additional labour. 



Around Nisqually there are many beautiful rides, and if there 

 were any vehicles, they would be equally favourable as drives; for 

 the country admits of a carriage being driven in almost any direc- 

 tion, within many miles of the fort. 



The Company have as yet few fields enclosed, nor is it necessary 

 that they should have, so long as the cattle are watched and penned in 

 at night. The practice of penning is adopted, not only to pi'otect the 

 animals from the wolves, but to save the manure and apply it to a 

 useful purpose. These pens are about half an acre in size, and are 

 enclosed with our Virginia fence, made of pine rails. They are 

 moved once a week, which, in the course of the year, gives a 

 fertilizing effect to a large piece of ground; and all those portions 

 of it that have been poor and barren are thus brought readily, and at 

 little expense or labour, under good cultivation. 



On this farm there were about two hundred acres under cultiva- 

 tion, which I was informed would yield fifteen bushels of wheat to 

 the acre, and it is intended to convert it into a grazing farm, for 

 which purpose a stock of cattle was on its way from California, 

 during the year of our visit. 



It is estimated that three thousand sheep, fifteen hundred head of 

 cattle, and about four hundred horses, may be maintained at this 



