THE INTERIOR OF OREGON. 473 



to pass the lower fall, ever get by the upper one, being generally 

 caught between the two falls; consequently, above this place no 

 salmon are taken. A short distance below the Kettle Falls, are the 

 Thompson Rapids, which begin at the mouth of Mill river, and 

 extend for some distance below that point. 



Fort Colville has been found to be two thousand two hundred 

 feet above the sea, according to the officers of the Hudson Bay Com- 

 pany : the barometers of our party having been broken, it was no 

 longer in their power to measure the height. This great rise takes 

 place within the space of five hundred miles, and is unequalled in 

 any other river of so great a size. The cultivation of crops is here 

 the principal object of attention, for the whole of the northern posts 

 depend upon Colville for supplies of provisions. 



As to climate, this region has the reputation of being more rainy 

 than the country below, but seasons occur when no rain falls. In the 

 summer the temperatvire varies very considerably in the course of 

 twenty-four hours, but they have kept no meteorological register, at 

 least none was kept at the time of the visit of our party. The 

 temperature in summer (July) rises to 100°, and falls to 12° in 

 January and February. The winter commences in November, and 

 ends in March. They frequently have flowers in February. 



The time of planting the spring wheat is in April; the winter grain 

 is sown in October, and succeeds best, particularly if the autumn 

 should be a wet one. The crops of wheat are reaped in August. 

 Indian corn is not a sure or good crop : it is planted in May and 

 gathered in September. Potatoes, beans, and some oats, with two 

 thousand bushels of wheat, are raised annually at this place. 



Of fruits they have those of the country, such as the service-berry, 

 strawberry, wild cherry, and the hawthorn-berry. These ripen from 

 June till September. Imported fruit-trees have not as yet succeeded, 

 and it is thought the spring frosts are too frequent and severe for 

 them. 



This post was established in 1825, at which time a bull and two 

 cows were introduced from Vancouver, and from these have sprung 

 one hundred and ninety-six head of fine cattle. They have likewise 

 thirty mares with foal, and sixty grown horses. The horses are little 

 used during the winter, and are usually turned out to shift for them- 

 selves. Care is, however, taken to keep them in places which are 

 much exposed to the sun, and in consequence least covered with 

 snow. Though represented as hardy animals, it is deemed prudent 



VOL. IV. 119 



