The Placer herald., 1860-02-04
The Valleys Of Western Utah.

A correspondent of the San Francisco
Herald furnishes the following interesting
items in regard to the soil, climate, and pro-
ductions OF the valleys of western Utah:
"Of the five hundred square miles Of land
in Carson Valley, probably one-third is sus-
ceptible of cultivation, and has water at hand
for artificial irrigation. About one-half of
this is already claimed, and about one tenth
occupied, claimant generally not being sat
sfed with less than from one to two thou
sand acres. Wheat, corn, oats, barley, po-
tatoes, ETC., can be produced, with a little
industry, in great abundance, but owing to a
most reprehensible aversion to physical exer-
ion on the part of the cid inhabitants,
nothing of any account has ever been raised,
except cattle. 1t is to be hoped, however,
that the present severe winter, by destroying
more than half the stock, will have ten
dencv to drive the graziers to the more hon
orable, though more laborious occupation of
tiing the soil, an occupation which, as it is
more essential thar any other to the necess-
ties and comfort of man. has been considered
in every age and among all nations, the bul
wark of patriotism and private virtue. On
the other hand, have observed that the
business Of cattle raising, as prac,iced by our
fron;ersmen, has the effect of brntaizng
and degrading the human race almost to a
level with their herds.
The present population of Carson Valley
is probably not far from thousand souls,
including all the sojourners, etc.
Eagle Valley is situated fifteen miles north
of Genoa, it is nearly circular in shape, and
about twenty miles in circumference. 1t is
watered by several small streams rushing
down from the mountains, but the soil am
told is not so productive as ours here in Car
son. Carson City is in this valley, at the
junction of the Honey Lake and Washoe
trail and the great emigrant road. This
great city is remarkable as being the resi-
dence of the eminent statesmen of western
Utah, men who are SO bent on political pow
er that they are cternaIly getting up meet
ings and creating Offices for their own use
and benefit. Only last week they went to
work to organize municipal government
for Carson City, a mere village that no hon
est geographer would notice upon map of
a hundred acres!
Washoe Valley is ten miles further to the
north. 1t is twenty-five miles long and
about twenty wide, but about one half of its
surface is covered by fine lake; abounding
in fish. So FAR as the soil of this valley has
been tried it has been found highly pro-
,uctive.
Tweny miles south east o Carson is the
great valley of Walker river, in size about
the same as this-hat is, containing about
500 square miles. No portion of it has ever
been cultivated, but it is my opinion that
both the soil and climate will be found su-
peror to ou's. 1t presents fine opening
for settlers. Between Walker River Valley
and the Mono Lake diggings there are many
small valleys admirably adapted to agricnl.
ture as well as grazing But the most wor-
thy of note is that known as the Big Mead
ows" 1t is only ten miles from Mono Lake.
Four fine streams traverse it lengthwise, a
distance of some forty miles, and the width
of the valley is set down at fifteen miles.
When passed there, in October last, but
one settler had located there, but the prox-
unity of the Walker river and Mono Lake
mines will render the whole valley very
valuable.
There are doubtless many other places
where an Industrious settler might pitch his
tent to advantage, but it is not now neces-
sary to mention them, as the places have
already noticed contain room enough to
support more people than will be likely to
devote themselves to agriculture in n country
where fortunes aye sometimes made so rap
idlv by mining.