The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1860-05-16
WHOLE NO. 345.



Notes on tho Geography OF the Coioswdo
Desert.
The Los Angeles Star, in 40 article on the
Colorado Desert, from information given by
Mr.. E. o. Smith, says:
He stopped forty miles below Fort Yuma,
on the right bank of the river, and was the frst
to venture so low on that side. He found an
abundance Of grass aud water, and represents
them in inexhaustible quantities He had been
down as far es seventy miles below the Fort,
aud found the grass in still greater abundance,
widening out for twenty miles, and no animals
TO consume il except the deer. He found plenty
of water in pools, also an ancient bed Of the
Colorado ten or fifteen miles west of its present
location. The Cocopa Indians inhabit the
country thrty-fve miles below Mr.. Smiths
camp, and are peaceable and honest The
Dieguenos aud Yuthas roam over it for the
purposes of hunting and fishing There is an
abundance Of mesquit and alamo timber. .t-
Below Pilot kuob, from behind which the
Colorado debouches, commences the Delta lao
miles from the Gulf Between this and tho
Desert Is an oval terrace, of slight elevation,
over which the high water Of the Colorado
sometimes breaks. The Desert being some
ninety feet lower than the river, the latter has
made numerous shallow cuts through the sum
nit Of the terrace, and then collects into deep
aud broad arroyas, of which there are many,
and this collection Of water is called New River.
These were filed with water last summer, which
created several lakes, afordng abundance OF
water at convenient intervals for drovers aud
travellers. The moisture afforded by this over
flow has fringed them with heavy vegetation
Of grass and weeds.
The Indians had gardens in many places on
the Desert. A Mexican family, who had set
tied in the midst of the Desert had this season
more than thousand acres of fine grass, and
sold much hay TO the Mail Company. The
Desert was doubtless an ancient lake--has its
we'll defined shores. Marine and fresh water,
aud terrestrial fossils are found in great guam
titles The soil is the richest in naturc-an
alluvium of unknown depth. The overflow
was in July. After this Mr.. Smith saw weeds
ggowing on the Desert four inches in diameter.
he thinks is the finest cotton and sugar land in
the Union. The climate is moro tropical than
that of Florida. The palms are indigenous.
The slt deposited this year ia many places on
the terrace is one inch thick
Mr.. Smith thinks that by cutting sideways
through the terrace, sure and certain rriga-
tion could be had. lie predicts that this will
be done at some time, and that this Desert, the
most formidable in America will TEEN with
popuous settlements. At least all the semi
tropical productions eau be raised. Its sterility
is caused solely by the lack Of moisture. THIS
can be obtained from the river cheaper than
In any other place known. The oyerfows Of
the river are unavailable, on account Of their
ateness In the season, though the Indians raise
an abundance Of corn. pumpkins, melons aud
beans. The river is navgabe at all times for
light draught steamers. as far up Us Fort Yuma.
Mr.. s. reports that he saw what he supposed
to be geyser, throwing out steam and water,
at the westerly side of the Desert near the foot
OF the Coast Mountains. lie thinks that about
81 900 sheep and 1000 head of cattle came in
by that route last season.