on the other side, but keep along its little valley to its junction with the Snake, when we have reached the extreme limits of the Walla Walla Valley on the north-east.
The Alpowah is a shallow, but unfailing stream, with a small, fertile border of bottom-land, cultivated chiefly by the Nez Perce Indians. The corn and melon-vines look unusually thrifty, and occasionally quite a comfortable house is to be seen; but, generally, a wigwam of matting, or a tent of skins, suffices for the requirements of these restless people. So near the Snake River the characteristics of Idaho begin to appear; excessive heat, and splendid flowering cacti, making gorgeous the hot sands of the river-side.
To sum up, before leaving it, the advantages of the Walla Walla Valley: we find that it is lovely in aspect, fertile, of a mild temperature, and well situated with regard to river and railroad transportation and markets, both east and west. The area of country upon the north-west coast, which will produce peaches, Indian corn, sugar-cane, sweet-potatoes, melons, and grapes, as well as the cereals, is limited, and confined almost exclusively to the territory east of the Cascades. Therefore, this valley has a double value, inasmuch as it will produce all these fruits, in addition to grains. It has, besides, innumerable facilities for manufacture, especially for woolen goods—the water-power and the wool being abundant. Nothing is lacking except railroad communications with the Columbia River and the East, to establish its importance; and that is what its citizens are now struggling to obtain.
