broken, hilly, and finally mountainous, as the western limits are reached and terminated by the Rocky Mountains. "The mighty Missouri runs through the very heart of our Territory, and gives us more than 1000 miles of navigable water-course, thus giving us the facility of cheap water transportation, by means of which we can bear away the surplus products of our rich, luxuriant lands to Southern markets, and receive in exchange the trade and commerce of all climes and lands. "We have, located on the Missouri, Big Sioux, Red River of the North, Vermilion, Dakota, and Niobrara, millions and millions of acres of the richest and most productive of lands to be found anywhere within the bounds of the National Government. "We have, combined, the pleasant, salubrious climate of Southern Minnesota, and the fertility of Central Illinois." The principal rivers are the Missouri, the Red River of the North, the Big Sioux, Big Cheyenne, and the White Earth. Concerning these streams, the Report quoted above proceeds as follows: "The Missouri River extends a thousand miles through the Territory, and is navigable for steamboats the entire distance, and hundreds of miles above. The country along the river is of unsurpassed fertility. The Big Sioux River is 200 miles long, a clear running stream of clear water, and cannot be surpassed for fertility of soil and the variety and luxuriance of its vegetation. The bottom lands on this stream are from a half to three miles wide, and bear an enormous growth of bluejoint grass, which makes hay of an excellent quality. The Big Cheyenne is a most important river, and has its extreme source west of the Black Hills, which its two main branches enclose. These forks are supplied by numerous streams from the mountains, and they unite in about longitude 102° 20', the river flowing into the Missouri in latitude 44° 48'. In its lower course there is fertile land on its banks, and there are considerable areas in and around the Black Hills. The Cheyenne River can be rafted, and the stream that comes from the hills could be used to drive the logs down the river, and thus a way is opened to this fine supply of timber. White Earth River has generally an open well-wooded valley, with fine soil and luxuriant grass. Any one who travels in Nebraska will always feel rejoiced when he reaches the banks of this beautiful stream. It is much resorted to by the Brulés. It has numerous branches, the largest of which is called the South Fork. The pine on White River and its tributaries is nearly equal in extent to that on the Niobrara. This stream has been used by traders to boat down their furs. I believe it can also be used to raft down the pine timber on its banks and branches. Lieutenant Warren speaks very favorably of the Niobrara River, which is partly in our Territory, that there is considerable pine timber on its banks and branches, and much good land and excellent water. The Red River of the North, rises in Lake Travers, flows north 380 miles to the British possessions, and is a navigable stream its entire distance, well-wooded, and a soil unsurpassed in fertility. There are a number of other small streams, some of which have abundance of timber, and a good soil, and clear running water. There are quite a number of lakes in East Dakota remarkable for their beauty, and with their sylvan associations form the prominent charm of its rural landscape. There is an abundance of timber on some of these lakes surrounded with a good soil, water, and plenty of fish in the waters of the same. All the streams of Dakota abound in delicious fish of many varieties. "The prevailing soil of Dakota is a dark, calcareous, sandy loam, containing a various intermixture of clay, abounding in mineral salts, and an organic ingredient derived from the accumulation of decomposed vegetable matter, for long ages of growth and decay. The earthy materials of our soil are minutely pulverized, and the soil is everywhere light, mellow, and spongy; while its sandy predominance makes our soil very early. The upland soil of East Dakota cannot be surpassed for fertility and the variety and luxuriance of its vegetation. "Your committee have been unable to get any accurate information in relation to the amount of the crops per acre, but from their own personal observation, they are of the opinion that no State or Territory surpasses Dakota in the yield of their crops per acre, and they are of the opinion the average yield of wheat per acre is 25 bushels; oats, 45; corn, between 50 and 60; potatoes, 225. All vines and garden vegetables yield bountifully. But for raising wheat, Dakota, we believe, is not equalled by any State or Territory in the Union. Our dry, pure atmosphere is what is required for the perfection of this grain; the best wheat grown in the world is the wheat grown on the Red River, within the limits of Dakota. The inhabitants of that section claim 60 bushels as an average yield per acre, and the wheat weighs from 65 to 70 pounds per bushel. Every one that has ever seen any of the Red River wheat pronounced it the finest. they ever saw. And we are of the opinion that a large portion of our Territory will yield equally as well; some farmers have told your committee of a yield of 104 bushels of potatoes from one and onefourth bushels of seed, and corn at 100 bushels per acre. 6 "Dakota is the finest field in the world for stock-growing. It stands prominent above all other countries as the best for the production of grass. The grasses,' says Farrey, are proverbially in perfection only in northern and cold regions. It is in the north alone that we raise animals from meadows, and are enabled to keep them fat and in good condition without grain.' In none of the prairie districts of North America are the native grasses so abundant and nutritious as on the plains and in the valleys of Dakota. This is sufficiently proved by the countless herds of buffalo that pasture throughout the year, upon its plains, even north of the 49th parallel of latitude; a fact which suggests an equivalent capacity for the herding of domestic cattle. Horses and cattle roam during summer and winter over the prairies and through the woods, and keep fat without housing or hay. The wild grasses of Dakota are of many varieties. The blue-joint of the valleys makes the best of hay, and generally yields about three tons per acre. The gramma or buffalo grass of the upland prairies is so nutritious that horses will work all the time they are fed on it, without any grain, and keep fat. All the wild grasses of Dakota are more nutritious than any of the tame grasses; cattle become fatter by pasturing on it. When cut it shrinks much less in curing for hay. It seldom heats. There is no dust in the hay. Horses that eat it never have the heaves. The hay in appearance is green, and it smells much sweeter than tame hay. On the whole, it is superior either for pasturage or hay for horses, cattle, or sheep. Owing to the healthiness and the dryness of the climate of Dakota, sheep must do extremely well in Dakota. We have no cold sleet-storms here, that are so fatal to sheep in many countries. The Indians have always kept thousands of horses in this country, but never feed them hay in winter." Among the animals found in and native to the Territory are the buffalo or bison, the elk, antelope, deer, grizzly bear, black bear, wolf, raccoon, and muskrat. It is believed that the Territory is very rich in minerals. Valuable deposits of gold, silver, iron, and copper have been discovered. Coal also exists in considerable quantities, and the salt lakes in the northern part of the Territory furnish an abundant supply of salt. There are as yet no railways in the Territory, but several are in construction from Minnesota and Iowa. The principal route is the Northern Pacific Railway, now in process of construction from the head of Lake Superior westward. It will cross the north-central portion of the Territory, from east to west. There is a system of public schools in operation. It is as yet in its infancy, but is well organized, and has thrown open about 25 free schools to the children of the Territory. The Episcopal Church has a seminary at Yancton, and there are several private schools in the southern portion. The Government is similar to that of the other Territories. The Territory of Dakota was organized by Congress in March, 1861. In 1868, a large part of its original limits was taken from it to organize the Territory of Wyoming. YANCTON, the capital, is situated on the left bank of the Missouri River, about 7 miles above the mouth of the Dakota or James River, and in the southeastern corner of the Territory. It is 60 miles northwest of Sioux City, in Iowa, the present terminus of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. It contains about 1500 inhabitants, 2 churches, 2 schools, 1 seminary (conducted by the Episcopal Church), and a newspaper office. It has steamboat communication with the towns on the Missouri River, and a railway is in progress of construction from Sioux City to Yancton. Area, IDAHO. 96,000 Square Miles. Population in 1870, THE Territory of Idaho lies between 42° and 49° N. latitude, and 110° and 117° W. longitude. It is bounded on the north by British America, on the east by Montana and Wyoming Territories, on the south by Utah Territory and Nevada, and on the west by Oregon and Washington Territory. Its greatest length, from north to south, is 480 miles, and its greatest breadth, from east to west, is about 340 miles. The widest portion is below the southern boundary of Montana. North of that the Territory varies in width from 40 to 60 miles. The surface is mountainous. The Rocky Mountains extend for 250 miles along the eastern and northeastern borders, and a curvilinear range, called the Bitter Root Mountains, continues the eastern border from the Rocky Mountain range to the northern part of the Territory. Fremont's Peak is the highest point of the Rocky Mountain range in the United States, and has an altitude of 13,570 feet. It lies on the border between Idaho and Dakota. There are several minor ranges in the various portions of the Territory. In the southeastern part are six high peaks, called the Three Buttes, and the Three Tetons. Much of the mountain scenery is grand and impressive-that in the vicinity of Salmon River is especially fine. The principal rivers are Clark's River, the Lewis or Snake, both branches of the Columbia, the Salmon, the Clearwater, the Boise, the Green, the Palouse, the Malade, the Payette, and the Lapwai. "The Snake River and its branches drain the whole Territory, except a portion, of about 120 miles long and 45 wide, in the extreme |