The union Democrat., 1869-02-06
The Valleys of Rm.,ern Nevada.


Eastern Nevada, and the quantity of agrieul-
tural land they c"n,ain, is subject in which
the public have deep interest, yet it is one
on which even our own citizens are not well
Informed. Lying as they do within the limits
nf the Great Basin, which occupies the space
between the Sierrss and the Rocky Mountains,
and extends frem the range of mountains run
ninS along the north side OF the Humboldt
riSer, south to the Colorado river, which, is
marked on all except the latest maps as an
nnexplored region" the impression pre-
vails that it is u barren. desolate region, un-
tit tor cultivation. But such is not the case.
There Is tar more gnod agricultural land in
the valleys Of Eastero Nevada than in the old
er and mo thlckly settled valleys of the
western half "f the State. This portion of the
State is divided up with considerable regular
uy into alternate mountain ridges aud valleys,
which stretch across the Basin from north IN
south. These valleys are generally well sun
Piled with water by springs, and small
streams heading in the adjacent mountains.
They also contain large tracts Of gnod grass
land, and extensive bniieS If excellent agri-
cultural land. we'll adapted II the raising Of
wheat, barley. potataes. vegetables, and the
fruits ut the temperate znnp. Large tracts
ot white sage lsmd, now a>certained to be ex-
reilent both inr cultivation aad pneturage. are
found in all these valleys ami rxten. We tiaotS
covered with bunch grass are found on the
m uG'ain sides. ant, extendin. down into the
valleys. Snow seldom falls L. any cnnSiie T.
BILE depth. and what does tall Snon meltS off.
81 that stock can run out through the winter
ard feed on the sage and bunch grass, which
Is evervwhere abundant. Small game, cspe-
cialiy Wild ducks. hares and rabbits. is quite
plenty. and small fish are found IN The uumar-
ous lakes come OF which are NAV m'es in
extent, and in the larger streams These
lakes have no outlets, and many Of the
streams sink before they reach the lakes.
There is less akai land in the eastern than
liz the western half Of the State nnd IN a cul,-
sequence less desert or waste lnrd. Fixing
thar portion If the State pr,pn>ed to lie iu-
rlnted in the new county If White Pup. thr
first valley on the West i now called Railroad
Valley We believe. and rxteni< sauthwar,l
fr"m the llunrhnldt river, near Exc, 10 The
Colorado, with' ut any considerable ridge in
terreptlng IT, 80 far aS we can learn.
The northern portion has been hithrrtn
known Ms Hamilton valley. S,nth of Jacobs
Wells IT has been known rs GilSnn' valley.
aud d"uhtless some other name IL given u the
extreme southern portion. Ii is now called
Railroad valley, from the fact of its present.
ing one ot the must natural routes in exist.
ence inr the construction Of 4 railroad II is
>unIosed that raIlr"ad to connect the Pacific
R,ir"ad with the h. nd of navigation IN the
Colorado, or with the Snnrhern Pacific Rail.
road, will soon be constructed along This val
lev passing wi hin few miles Of this town.
The stage Road To Elko. the new rnilroad sta.
ton f"r White Pine, follows this valley near
~ 10 the iiumhnldt. The next great valley
eastward and parallel with il, consist uf Sier-
ri aud Ruby valleys, both oi' which have a
high reputation as agricultural regions. Next
east "f these is Steptue valley. which is very
large one. and contains IA great quantity at
good iillahle and mead w Land. Living near
the north end of Strptne and Ruby valleys il
Clever valley. one "f the best valleys in the
State. though nor IL large IA the others NAM
ed. Iumb"ldt Wells. is the station for this
valley. Thousand Spring valley, Spring val
ley. Butte valley, md others whose names we
have heard, but whose exact lucality we can
not give. exist also in Eastern Nevada. All
these valleys have settlers in them, but there
is room aLd good lands for many more
Ranch l"eut;nns are. however. being made
continually, and they will soon fill up with
farmers. 1t will he Int Il few years before
these valleys will supply the miners of this
and other districts in the mountains, which
separate them from each other, with all the
breadsrutfs. beef. fruit etc., at much cheaper
rates than they are now obtained for Waite
Pine Neus.