Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-28

II appears from the 7n',do H'ode That
there is at least one portion Of our country
which does not present any great attraction
10 settlers The Hayden Surveying party
had, when last heard from, reached the South
Park Of Colorado, at puncha Pass Cores
pondents from the expedition represent this
tract Of country as one Of the most sterile
and uninyiting which can possibly be i'm
agined. In march Of two days the party
found not single blade Of grass, except
very near the river bank, the face Of the
country being arid, extremely sandy and
wholly unproductive-in fact, desert like
that Of Sahara. The soil is 80 strongly i'm
pregnatcd with alkali, that il is believed TO
be wholly incapable Of improvement by cul-
tiyation, even were irrigation possible. &c
ologists believe that the entire tract is the
bottom Of what was once q great salt lake.
It's southern extremity is nearly level but
northward a jagged broken range Of noun
taius, bare Of vegetation, except a few
scrubby pines, rise in sharp points and rug
eed promontories, adding to the general dss-
titution by their barenness.
On the banks Of the Platte River, which
intersects the South Park, lands are some
what more productive, though not mli-
GENTLY so to offer any inducements to agri-
cultunsts or grazers. While cattle find some
heritage during summer, they cannot subsist
In the winter. Yet, strange to relate, quite
a rage exists in these barren localities for
lands, and many settlers are purchasing them
with the view Of permanent occupation All
except small portion Of the South Park has
already been taken up, and what people will
do with it is a mystery, since it can only be
used for pasturage in most favored localities
during the summer months Farming is en-
tirely out of the question, even were iriga-
ton practicable, as the land is naturally too
sterile. Game is very scarce. Buffalo have
formerly abounded throughout the locality,
but have all been destroyed by the Indians.
Now aud then farms are found, producing.
as may be expected, very small and inferior
crops.
Nevertheless, lands in this desert are held
at $40 per acre. where the least improve
ments have been made. Not a spear Of
grass or vegetation can be produced without
irrigation, and hence all the lands near
streams have been taken up, and many
quarrels have arisen among the settlers re-
gardng water supply. Numerous persons
have lost their lives in consequence, and
others have been warned to leave the terri
tory by a sort of water vigilance committee
who believe in the doctrine that possession is
even more than the orthodox nine points of
the law, which entities them TO forcibly pre-
vent any interference whatever with their
supposed right Of squatter sovereignty.
As in the barren regions Of California, so
here there has been quite rush of immi-
grafton, which must rebound to the misfor-
tune of the settlers. Hopes are entertained
that irrigation will produce the same favor
able results as in Utah, aud though this may
be the case in certain localities, it is believed
an impossibility upon the heavy alkaline
lands which predominant over those suscep-
tible of cultivation. Added to this draw
back is the greater one of an unpropitious
climate. During the day the thermometer
rises TO ninety, and at night water left in the
cooking vessels Of the surveying party is
frozen to a quarter Of an inch in thickness
Winds are constant, and blow the sand in
every direction, to the injury of the eyes and
general discomfort of the explorers. Alto
gether, more inhosptable region scarce
exists, not even excepting the great African
desert