The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-10
EXPLORATION OF THE TERRITORIES.

An Interview with the Chief GeOgrapher
OF tho United states Survey of the Ex-
Pl0ring Expedition-What Has Been
Done and What Is Likely To BE Done
by the Expedition-The Beauty, tho
Value and the Wealth OF the Terri
tory OF Colorado.
Mr.. James T. Gardner the chief geographer OF
the United States survey OF the exploring ex-
petition, Is in the city, and reporter Of the
HERALD called upon him yesterday to inquire as
TO the progress Of the expedition. In reply to
general inquiry OF the reporter Mr.. Gardner said
that he would prefer making statement to an.
swering any general questions, which might take
up his time in going over general ield OF inquiry,
the answers to which would only render reitera-
ton OF statements that were already well known
to every one who took any interest whatever In
this exploration question. The reporter therefore
took down the statement OF Mr.. Gardner as he
dictated 1t.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE EXPEDITION
The Department OF the Interior ordered a geo.
logical survey OF the Territories under the charge
OF Professor v. b. Hayden who has, for several
years, been conducting expeditions in the region
of the Yellow Stone Park. He has made an
interesting and extensive set Of reports Of the
wonderful geyser region Of Montana, those gey-
sers being by far the most remarkable In the
world. His extensive collection OF photographs
taken in this region have made its wonders known
In all parts OF the world. This survey was re-
organized by the laws OF Congress and named
"The Geological and Geographical Surveys OF the
United States Territories Congress wished the
geographical work to be conducted under
the influence and direction OF BIOLOGISTS
and also wished the survey to become
more permanent organization. TWAS found neces
sary, in order to conduct this work properly, that
the assistants should continue from year to year
In their several localities before being formed into
permanent corps, as the work required great ex-
perence In order to conduct 1t successfully. The
reorganization that has been effected to this end,
II present organized consists OF corps OF gcOl-
ogists In charge OF the stan and three geological
assistants, several eminent pal9ntologists several
pher and a star OF three topographers, three as
sistant topographers, several metallurgsts and
draughtsmen, quartermaster and assistant quar-
termaSter.
PRESENT FIELD OF OPERATION.
The field of operations ordered by Congress for
general survey are the mountainous parts Of that
part OF Colorado lying to the west OF Denver, and
that part of Utah which lies east of the Green
River. This region includes the most remark
mountains in the United States. 1t Is
yet iuneXplored, but 1t is expected that the
be found in the group OF mountains lying west OF
South Park. The system OF narrow guage railroads
now being built In Colorado WI bring the whole Of
soon become one of the favOrite resorts OF Summer
tourists seeking health and novelty OF scenery. It
is considered exceedingly desirable that accurate
maps OF this region shall be furnished as soon as
possible so that full knowledge OF It's beauties and
THE MINERAL WEALTH.
The region includes also the gold and silver dc.
posits OF Colorado, and certainly some OF the most
extensive gold fields OF the Continent
OBJECT OF THE SURVEY.
The object OF the survey Is not only general
Of the 80 % s 1
careful, scientific examination OF the mineral
wealth OF that part OF our country. 1t Is TO he
terror Department, will be able to satisfy these de-
mands for accurate knowledge OF our Western re-
sources at an early date 1t is fully expected that
interesting to the country as those already made
by DR.. Hayden upon the wonders OF Montana
MINERAL DEPOSITS.
With reference to the mineral deposits the gold
and silver mines are not quite so productive as
prOnigate and unscientifc manner OF working,
The country is, however, very rich in mineral de-
posits, and there Is one curious fact IN connection
with this which is probably worthy OF noticing
that there two cities OF Colorado, each twenty
miles apart, in one Of which the mines produce
only gold and in the other silver. The value OF the
coal deposit will be very great There is new
mining region developed III the west OF South Park
of Colorado. Central City and George Town have
proved eminently productive.
AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS,
The agricultural development OF the country has
remarkable features. At the base OF the Rocky
Mountains there Is strip or pasturage land 600
miles long ana lou DrOau, tnat Is available Gil the
year round inasmuch as the mountains protect 1t
IRON the storms OF Winter, for the pasturage OF
CATTLE Three hundred miles OF this is already used
for this purpose; the remainder goes into the In
dian country and has not yet been used. The
cattle spectators meet the cattle men from Kan
sas, after long Summer drive of cattle, and pur-
these cattle, put them on the pasturage land
and the result OF their cattle investments is aprott
OF twenty-five per cent. / know Of an instance
where out OF 600 head Of cattle placed on this land
throughout the WINTER only six had been lost.
Therefore the agricultural resources of the country
are unQuesti0nably attractive.
THE POPULATION OF COLORADO.
BY the returns OF the ninth census the popula-
ton OF Colorado is as iollo SO, 1854, OF which
there arenative born. SO, 265; foreign, 6599; nav
ing one or both parents foreign, ~, 707; foreign
father, 10, 20O foreign mother, 1884, both parents
foreign 9,347. or the foreign population over 10
years old there were LAPS Germans, 1851 Irish,
l,4g3 English, 1874 Scotch, Isl Swedes 205 French,
$50 other countries north OF Europe, l6 Italians 16l
other countries south OF Europe, $50 British Amer-
cans from China and Japan.