The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-11-20
rhe Lana ofthe mormons.

which, through the states bordering on the Mis-
sissippi and Missouri rivers is covered with one
vast carpet of green; but one comes into the
western part of Kansas and the eastern part OF
Colorado. the vegetation is not as plentiful, for
the arid region has been reached. To explain
the word arid as it is understood here. would
say that the rain aud snow fall is very slight as
compared to the eastern states, giving in water
only from 10 to 20 incnes during the entire year
lhis of itself is not sufficient to admit of agri
cultnre without irrigation, though it may mature
the grasses native to these lands. DO not form
the opinion that hey form those fields of sod
which abound in the East Here the bunch grass
grows in tufts and from few inches to a foot or
more apart. In Colorado on the plains the bui-
falo grass grows the other. but not to the same
height. On the plains. trees are not seen unless
on irrigated land, though on river bottoms the
cotton wood grows to some extent, here too. the
grasses do well as the soil is moistened by sub
irrigation. In the foot hills on the east slope,
cedar grows, and iu the mountains. pine abounds
1ut not as beautiful nor as thrifty as in the
eastern pine lands.
Few people living in the East have formed a
fair mind picture of the arid regions. because
the in formation has been received from ' boom
writing railroad advertisements or the writings
of some sight-seer or professional correspondent
and strange sights. has overlooked hu>bandry
and it., requisites. In the study of u country and
the people, it is necessary that the resources oil
the land be described. therefore warn you now
not to think that our western land is covered
with the luxurient growth of vegetation OF the
East. Much of the laud is covered with grease
wood and sage brush. and in this condition, aiee1
a journey of fifteen hundred miles or more. the
first Mormon immigrants found Utah. But now
it is different for up and down the valleys as
far as the eye reach the fields Of alfalfa and
other growing clops beautiful to behold
Yet to do all tsis, hard labor. the intelligence
of man was required. These people. coming as
they did from land where Nature placed tn,
water at the very rootlets of the tenderest OF
plants. and ignorant of irrigation, were her
compelled to resort to manner of raising crops
wholly unknown to them. and to-day is know
t. not less than 90 per cent of our population.
The center OF all this beauty is Salt Lake City
with population of IS G.1 The city is laid QUE
with the streets running north and south. east
and west, their width being $50 feet gives to
them a grand appearance and to some exten,
on account of the ample size are not unlike tn,
Parisian boulevard. NO pavements are In use
as the small precipitation OF water does not CAL
Tor them. Though on account OF this, the dust a.
times is bad; but to overcome this, some of tht
streets Will soon be covered with shale that
packs into a h ard, smooth surface The gener
al aspect of the city gentle slope to the west
by little south, giving little grade to be mad
by street car lines, yet the services is about IL
primival as possible to get it. Along the edge
of the sixteen feet sidewalks are rows of larg,
shade trees. the black and honey locust bein.
now conspicuous by their S Reet smelling bios
SONS. Next in order as TO numbers is the bon
Id tha 7 ,larl
The walks. just foot or so from the trees towarC
uhe roa 4, is a gutter ditch used for carrying
irligating water for gardens. orchards ant
lawns.
dwelling and business houses were origi
lally built of adobes-bricKs made OF ay drIet
by the sun. The dwellings of the b-tte
class to that of the best, and are characterize
Dy their commo,.l .lous size Many Of these al
elegant buildings and all classes show thrift
good taste and comfort Ior the dWI1lers. SUI
counding the houses are well Kept grounds TB,
closely cropped lawns show skill in iandscap,
,ardening seldom excelled by gardeners else
.Shere; the towering plants and shrubs an,
decorative trees are tastefully arranged. a,
shese plants and trees, owing to the mild, evei
temperature, grow to perfection. Back of The
majority OF the houses are well Kept gardens
w'th their fruit trees, small Fl uits and vegeta
bles.
faw years nast tho buildins has hea,
,o,o ,yi,b br;c. o,d stonos +bi. oiviny tho c,,,
more nj am eastern an ,e.,apca. yb,. bus,nes,
IooLs s;tu.tsd in tho .an,.,r of tI,a ci,y IN
,id.r onss are r.n,dly helm. re I...d H. n,,
md alao.nt strpctnres Notahle .un.nqth l,,p
,nilaings ara the ,ai,ar;.,l. ie,n.,,,. and NJ
emb,v hail All bcildings for ,cti. l,uslu lur,lses
,e,opginp to the ,;ormons The + b.,na,Isis
.,o.. e,inric,,, ,h.na, hni din, h,,v ar sell
,ror,;,,, of ,,,,.,.r h chou ,, ,ho.
-, o,..,o a., h. eo,,fo,,,, Il a.
;,,;.s - -, :. his -,
,anso a,,dion,,, ,o..,,,,,, th.;xs.a+s .,d he;,,
u, in tho onen air !, +. short sn.ca of Il,
.ninutes- should any,hjoe demand sucb hurrl,
ction The acou.tir ,,ove,. an the ,truc,nre i
.s near nerfect as caa he and i o,;imes testeo
or taurists Inv dropu,pr a hin mai. the soun,
.aused bv the faIliny.,np i sntf,ci,,t "a, nro,,c
| A nlaip sound to the ear if those listening art
cross the hall from the one dIopping the pin
.he temple building commenc.d in 1853 bu
not vet finished is an immense and imposing
piece OF architectural work; imposing becaus
Of its size compared to It's surroundings Fo.
lilies up and down the valley it can be ;. ell
oweriug in gigantic height above all other ob
lects in the city The app earance of tie buildin
.t distance Is white. lnoug ii 1t is built uf W.
granite.
The city is located at fhe very foot of the W d.
.atch range OF mountains. which. from the mai
business shreet looking east. are about three
more miles away; to the norGh they are only
alf a mile or SO from the temple, which is abuL
lie geographical Cen. er OF the city. From thes
Mountains comes the Wat.r supply OF the city
| me source being Ciry Ireek which comes dow.
| ,lty creek canon. having iOr its 1ountain-hexu
he very peaks of the taIlest mountains, for it
ne snow melting the rain iaIiing upon
| nat supplies the wat-r. By dams, fumes anu
e,,ling reservoirs the water is taken from Ihs
,reek aid conveyed into pipes at an elevator
,teh enough above the CITY AS to give $ t1icle.
wafer force for all purposes A cheap wate
| supply is ir netp Besides the creek mentions,
| 4 stream coming down FarIey,s canon Is Ii, ed
| Nv the city. All the water not ne.aied in the
summer time for filing The serve. piu,s is
armed into the main a;fc q uiLcn. thus nh,
.ng its way INFO use by iurn,shiny moisture iUl
,lants trees and vegetables.
From the mouutalns o.. the north one can zee