SY FORAGE CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS. 
basins in which they are situated. They are of themselves of no 
economic importance for, supporting no vegetation and having no 
outlets in ordinary times, they can not be profitably drained and 
deprived of the superabundance of soluble salts. They have an 
immediate connection, however, with the lands in their drainage 
basins which are being rapidly reclaimed, as will be shown later. 
The topography of the Okanogan country differs from that of the 
Big Bend mainly in being cut up into rolling grassy hills, which are 
covered with forests of yellow pine on their shaded and higher slopes. 
The level ground is comparatively small in extent, and: when it occurs 
on elevated regions, as is the case in large stretches on the Colville 
Reservation north of Conden’s Ferry, it is very likely to be too rocky 
for cultivation; however, in mar~ places in the so-called ‘* Bunch- 
Grass Hills” there are areas of arable lands, and along all the water- 
ways, especially the main Okanogan River, there are extensive tracts 
of good hay land yet to be brought under control. 
The Big Bend, although a much more level area, still presents a 
ereat diversity of topographical features. It may be briefly described 
as a table-land, 1,000 to 1,500 feet high, underlaid by basaltic rock. 
This general plateau has been cut in various places by deep gorges, 
such as the bed of the Columbia, Grand, Moses, and Black Rock cou- 
lees, exposing bluffs of basaltic columns, which are a familiar and 
attractive sight in all of this region. In many places, usually in close 
proximity to these gorges and especially in the vicinity of such depres- 
sions as Moses Lake, the rock is laid bare, or nearly so, over very 
extensive areas. These must remain permanent grazing grounds. 
They are known locally as *‘ scab lands,” and are usually cut into shallow 
ravines, being generally much rougher than those areas where the soil is 
deeper. The irregularity of the erosive action has resulted in the €or- 
mation of numerous basin-like depressions, where water accumulates 
and remains for short periods, especially during the winter and spring, 
thereby furnishing supples for range stock at those seasons of the 
year. 
The Blue Mountains of Oregon and the Warner Mountains of Cal- 
ifornia have much in common. They are generaliy forested, but 
have at high elevations extensive areas of level or gently rolling lands, 
either free from timber or only sparsely covered. In these areas, 
usually designated as prairies or valleys, are found the nuclei of 
prosperous communities. Among these may be mentioned Camas 
Prairie, Long Creek, Bear Valley, and Silvies Valley in the Blue 
Mountains, and Jess Valley in the Warner Mountains. These com- - 
munities are dependent almost entirely upon the stock industry for 
their support. The lands in these regions are either fertile mountain 
soils or rocky areas not susceptible of cultivation. The latter furnish 
pasturage. The fornier are cropped, usually with hay crops. 
