The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-18
INTERESTING FACTS AMOUR WYOMING.
Tho Unique Agricultural Character OF the
state.


Tho Unique Agricultural Character OF the
State.
Wyoming, though one OF tho Rocky Noun
tain States. Is much less rugged than its
neighbors. Colorado and Montana Its noun
tain ranges are low. broken down at many
points. and widely separated. with broad park
like valleys and plains between them. About
twenty years ago these valleys with their
abundant wild grasses and many sparkling
streams. first attracted the stockman. and
they are to-day Just commencing to attract
the farmer.
As an agricultural State Wyoming is unique
in the Union. It's arabic areas have an average
altitude greater than that Of any OF our other
States. Thus In southern Wyoming large part
Of the best lands lilo ut an elevation varying be-
tween 5000 and 5000 feet. while tho lowest
portions, which are in tho north. between tho
Platte River and the northern boundary, tho
Big Horn Mountains and the Black Hills arc
between 5000 and $500 feet high. These
lower lands produce well all tho semi hardy
vegetables and fruits. but, as tho altitude in
crcases. the varieties Of possible products
grow less. till. at an elevation of 1890 or
5000 feet. hay only does we'll
Tho crests and body OF tho mountain
ranges are OF feldspathc granite sycnite.
and gness, with silurian. Devonian. car
boniferous. triassic and Jrirassic forma-
tons on their TANKS. These show themselves
according to the extent Of uphenval and amount
Of erosive action that has taken place. Tho
higher planes are largely cretaceous. overlaid
by gravel and sand stones Of the tertiary
period. while large sections in the southeast
and northeast are overlnid with marls sand or
sandstone. and clays OF the White River
Groun There are no largo areas OF rough
volcanic rock. as in many Western States.
and no considerable sandy desert regions or
tracts made useless by excessive alkalies.
Tho soil, generally. Is a sandy loan, on
riched In tho valleys by vegetable decomposi-
ton, and on the uplands mixed with gravel
and large proportion Of clay. In some dis
tricts 1t Is n heavy clay loan. approaching
what is comm only called "gumbo." In others,
as along the base OF the Black Hills. on either
sido OF the Big Horn Mountains. and In n few
other sections. there is decided gypsum soil,
red or gray. according to the proportion OF iron
it contains No analysis Of these soils has yet
been made. but by comparing them with SINH
lar soils from Colorado they are found to DO
excellent. and capable with moisture OF bear
ing very good crops.
Over the arabic arens the rainfall averages
T. inches. 1t is heaviest in spring and sum
mer. though a month mas never been known to
pass without any precpitations whatever.
On account or extremely dry air and a large
eS nmost as 81 soon ns Il ss THUS notSnS can
tie successfully grown without IRRIGATION. OK
cept in few favored places. where the
proximity Of high mountains causes unusual
condensation. or in some OF tho lower north
eastern valleys; who's" climates resemble that
OF Nebraska. Among the mountains the mi
fall is often as great as 30 inches annually.
and is very evenly distributed throughout ths
year. Hence the mountain rivers never run
dry. and can be dopcn'sd upon Tor steady
water supply.
Of a t3tai, area for the State Of G2.4+Sooo
acres. about lO.OOU.0UU acres arc capable Of
irrigation. This tract. greater than the COM
necticut, is divided naturally into four nearly
rivers Of the State the North Platte, the Pow
der, the Big Horn. and the Green.
The southwestern or Platte division has so
high an elevation that q lmost no agriculture
has yet been attempted there, The Powder or
$500 feet in height. and watered By streams low
ing from the SHOWS "f the Big Horn Mountains:
is tho section whore farming has made most
progress. Here the climate is much milder.
Corn and most Of the drops grown in Nebras ka
do we'll This is the only part OF wyoming
The Big Horn and Green River valleys are
comparatively undeyeloped. though several
long bitches havo been started and many
Hay is a chief crop in Wyoming. Wheat and
other rse re Tery OF these s
stances they have made extraordinary Yields.
Potatoes are OF very good quality; and
boots. The climate and soil are very favorable
to their growth. and they produce an unusual
true that Wyoming 5 agricultural progress has
been slow. There has hitherto been invested
SiU.OUO.OOO In mitigating bitches. with Il length
OF about 5000 N lies. aud commanding 2OOo.-
900 acres OF the pest lands in the State:
These bitches were most Of them planned
its height. When It collapsed in 1880. large
proportion had to be abandoned from want OF
capital. Again. many miles Of diIching were
built by stockmen. not Tor irrigation. but
built to get control OF water Fights; and with
no intention OF Immediate use Thus OF all
the land under bitches at tho present time.
only ABOUT ten per cent. can he Irrigated. and
only ono per cent. is actively cultivated.
BY far the greater part of Wyoming iS upland
thai can never be reached by irrigation, and
must always remain n pastora and stock
raising country. There are nearly 4O,OO0.OOO
acres Of such lands in tho State. These, with
grassy forest areas of 10000 900 acres. are sup
piled plcntIfnlly with water for stock.
or the 100 or more native grasses. the
and bent grass. These grow on tho bor-
ders of streams and in damp mountain valleys
The best upland kinds are the uffalo." " rcd
bent" June" and bunch" Alluf them euro
naturally rs they stand. and furnish good WIN
ter fodder.
Sheep raising Is now one OF the most profit
able businesses. 1t was introduced at about
the time OF the decline in the cattle Dusl-
ness. 1t is said that in many instances
rs much as 1872 per cent has been
hreedin g. too promises much In the future.
Wyoming horses are remarkable Tor their
great lung development and capacity Tor on
durance. As yet only the commoncr sorts
soon lead to the introduction of finer animals
NO WONDER THE WOMEN PROTESTED.