Agricultural operations at Fort Colvile were prominent, eventually supplying other interior posts with wheat, peas, flint corn and potatoes. The prairie, the station was located on, was deemed an "island of fertility" by visiting artist Paul Kane. At its foundation 24 bushels of potatoes were sown, but over half was eaten by rodents. The farm was able to produce enough crops to feed its staff and Fort Nez Perces in 1830. The harvest wasn't large enough to support the brigade of fur trappers headed to the New Caledonia district, requiring shipments from Fort Vancouver. 20 Native and White men labored on the farms in 1838, about two thirds of the total number of men kept at trade post. The potato harvests had increased greatly in size compared to the initial sowing, in 1838 it was over 7,000 bushels. Charles Wilkes of the United States Exploring Expedition found that farming was the primary focus of the establishment "for the whole of the northern posts depend upon Colville for supplies of provisions." Salmon was easily procured when the seasonal runs were commenced. One pioneer recalled that Kettle Falls men would "put large wicker baskets below the falls and raised them up three times a day, always filled with fish."