New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-07

certify that the above Is correct transcript from
~. d. MIDDLETON Asst. Surgeon. Q. s. A.
true copy. j. b. MUSsOS, Lieut. 9th Inf, Adit.
font BHJord d. T., JAN 5. 1873.
The excessive cold of Winter is here shown. the
monthly mean being worthy Of special notice. while
che annual variation of temperature is from 40 to
lSs degrees. June, July. and August were the only
months in the last twelve in which we have not
had snow storms OF the temperature down TO Is
degrees. | have before me the meteorological re-
ports from the other military posts In this region
aud they do not differ widely from this
The humidity as seen is insufficient for any gen.
era agriculture, such agriculture requiring in coun-
tries remote from the sea from 40 to so inches, To
the average here given however, may be added
about four inches that fall as snow.
The Indian Summers here are beautiful beyond
description. that Of the past Autumn rivsling the
widest flights of imagination, and lasting until the
25th of November, and without doubt extending to
the country of the Saskatchewan But ten days
afterward. Dec 5, the Thermometer stood at 30
below zero. The storms In Minnesota and Dakota
last Winter and Spring, in which hundreds of peo-
pie lost their lives are fresh in the memories Of all
This entire northwestern country is subject TO
these terrific Winter storms, which animal life
not withstand unless thoroughly protected. have
seen an area of country 20 miles across strewn with
the oaroasses of buffalo that must have persisted in
one of these storms. Not Winter has passed since
this post was established, in 1865 but some poor
soldier of its garrison has lost life or limb by
freezing.
have under nv command 30 Indian scouts, among
whom there are several northern Assiniboines
whose country and range extend well into the
British POSSESSIONS on both branches of the
Saskatchewan l have made the most particular
inquiries about the Saskatchewan country of all
these people, as wen as Of hslf-breeds who have
been in the employ Of the Hudson Bay Company
and officers of the army who have been longest in
this country. They agree IN the following descrp-
ton: That in general appearance it resembles
Minnesota, being q level. upland prairie with
numeious lakes and good SOIL 1t is a more
desirable country than that along the Upper Missouri
IN tbese respects but is colder and has shorter and
driver season They raise wheat, oats. barley, and
.,atiye corn If the season wet enough, but
the crops often fail for want Of moisture.
The past season as seen by the meteorological re-
mort has been exceptionally rainy and favorable for
agriculture here and the post has with great care
and by utilizing all the available season, made an
extensive garden with the following results. The
garden is situated Immediately on the river banS
about two feet above high water Potatoes, natVe
corn. cabbage, early-sown turnips, early peas
early beans beets, carrots, parsnips' satisfy, Gu
fcumOefs. iettnce rAulsneS' anu @rPab"s"S nav
grown abpndsntly and matured Melons, pumpkins
and squashes have not matured Tomatoes did
not turn red; American corn tearlyl reached
TO roasting ears. Onions, with wheat and oats
,oatured at Fort Berthod, ID, r. $50 miles below, on
1hs Missouri River. ] am told by those who have
l,een here q long time that thiS may be taken q
standard of what may be, expected the most favor
.lla seasons on the immediate bottoms of the
s,raAna Tho native Indian corn natures in about
Zen weeks from tlsas.ss ID puts out its ears from
SKI eight jGchss from the gxound, and has soft
a,lisesa tsas eiia,s leA s- ~, 81, l,'s,.e =