High Desert Hay

In the early 1800's, some frontier scouts described the high desert area of the Oregon Trail as "unsuitable for human habitation." However, settlers soon found that wheat, alfalfa, and other hay could be successfully grown despite less rainfall than further West. And later, aided by irrigation, high desert hay became a primary crop. In more modern times, great numbers of Oregon's cattle are still fed by hayfields and pastures along the original Oregon Trail.
"The Territory Northwest,Was thought uninhabitable at best,By early Pioneers scouting the way.But they soon discovered,A little water uncovered,A most prodigious production of Hay."