Exploratio7is and Surveys for the Pacific Railroad. 77 



sufficient, however, to show that in this latitude, as in that of 

 the Arkansas, the uncultivable region begins about the 99th 

 meridian. Immediately under the Eocky mountains the soil 

 improves, probably from the mountain wash. The tertiary and 

 cretaceous formations extend, in these latitudes, from about the 

 97th meridian to the eastern base of the Kocky mountains, and, 

 under the meteorological conditions found in this space, are un- 

 suitable for agricultural purposes. There are some very lim 

 ited exceptions to this general character in portions of river 

 bottoms. 



The country west of the Eocky mountains to the Pacific slopes 

 may likewise be described as one of general sterility. The east- 

 ern portion of the Great Plain of the Columbia is represented 

 to be grassed ; its middle and western parts almost entirely sandy, 

 rocky, and sterile. The mountain masses, spurs, and table-lands 

 of the Cascade chain, east of the main crest, are sterile. There 

 are exceptions to this general sterility in the mountain valleys, 

 where the soil is better constituted for fertility, and the rains 

 more abundant ; but, although portions of these are suitable for 

 agricultural purposes, they are better adapted to grazing. The 

 sum of the areas of cultivable soil in the Pocky mountain region 

 does not exceed, if it equals, 1,000 square miles. West of the 

 Cascade mountains, there are rich river-bottoms, clay formations 

 that are arable, and prairies offering good grazing. 



The principal favorable charateristics of this route are, its low 

 profile, low grades, and the low elevation of the mountain passes, 

 and its connexion with the Missouri and Columbia rivers. The 

 reported sum of the ascents and descents is the least of all the 

 routes; this proportion may, however, be changed when the 

 minor undulations are measured. The principal unfavorable 

 features are, in construction, the tunnel required on the Eocky 

 mountains, and the difficulty and expense of construction from 

 the eastern approach of the Eocky mountains to the Spokane 

 river, and expense of the construction along the Columbia river, 

 from the Dalles to near Yancouver. These, when considered 

 carefully, are serious objections to the route, not only in the 

 money, but the time, they will consume. In thickly populated 

 countries their construction would be difficult and costly ; situ- 

 ated as they are — the Eocky mountain region especially — the 

 difficulties, cost, and time required, are greatly increased. 



The severely cold character of the climate throughout the 

 whole route, except the portion west of the Cascade mountains, 

 is one of its unfavorable features ; and, for national considera- 

 tions, its proximity to the dominions of a powerful foreign sov- 

 ereignty must be a serious objection to it as a military road. 



Its cost has been estimated by Governor Stevens, by the Co- 

 lumbia Eiver valley and the Cowlitz, at $117,121,000; the cost 



