Page:History of Utah.djvu/327

 CHAPTER XI.

IN THE VALLEY OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE.

1848.

At the opening of January 1848, the saints were housed, clad, and fed in moderate comfort, and general content prevailed. The season was exceptionally mild; there were occasional light falls of snow, but not enough to interfere with ploughing and sowing, and a large tract of land was partially enclosed and planted with wheat and vegetables.

So many people were now in the valley that notwithstanding the abundant crops food at length became scarce. Families weighed out their flour and allowed themselves so much a day. The wheat was ground at a mill on City Creek, but as there was no bolting-cloth, the shorts and bran could not be separated. The beef was very poor, as most of the cattle