Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1886-12-02
STATE DEVELOPEMENT
shall Nevada DcvelOpc it's Own
Resources.

Snali Nevada HcvelOpc It's CNE
. Resources.
! The following article Is from tn.
4 Sacramento Bee of Tuesday last:
The subject of irrigation is re-
ceiving much attention in the State
Of Nevada, where it ID Of vital i'm
portance The rainfall is there SC
small that agriculture without irri-
cation is impracticable, save in a
few exceptional localities: And
yet Nevada has millions of acres
rich in every element Of fertility;
deep, sandy loans, which need only
| the aid Of water to bring forth lux
uriant crops of grain or alfalfa.
These lands, IN their unreclaimed
condition, look barren and uninvit-
ing. The melancholy gray of the
sagebrush gives them forlorn and
desolate appearance. But the tufts
OF grass that spring up everywhere
from among the roots of the bushes
furnish fattening food for cattle
and give evidence Of the richness
Of the soil. There are many val
leys, level as floor, almost free
from stones, filed many feet with
finely pulverized soil. Such land is
easily stripped Of sagebrush. and
the clearing and planting in the
irrigated districts, has usually been
accomplished in the same season.
The valley OF the Truckee river.
where irrigation has been practiced,
shows what water can do for Ne
vada. There the alfalfa fields are
always green, and yield a success
sion Of heavy crops throughout the
year. 1t is great feeding ground
for cattle, and fortunes have been
made there in the production of !!
hay. The climate is not severe.
and the sky is unsurpassed in
brightness anywhere in the world.
With water sufficient to irrigate all
her fertile acres, Nevada could sup
port, from agriculture alone, a large
and prosperous population.
The Reno Gazette asks that
Commission be appointed by the
Legislature to investigate the posi-
bilities of irrigation in the State,
and to make such recommendations
as the facts may warrant. 1t thinks
the State can well afford the ex-
pense of sinking experimental ar
.esian wells. 1t argues, further
hat since Nevada has no rivers or
larbors receiving subsidies from
he National Treasury, Congress
should be willing to make an ap-
in aid of her irrigation
This wsuld be only
air and just, and constitutional
for such an appropriation
Gould. we think, be based upon the
round that the extension of irriga-
ion would be means of promoting
he sale and settlement of the Gov
lands.
California has direct interest in
he promotion Of prosperity in Ne
ada, and the California delegation
t Washington should heartily aid
n the effort to obtain liberal APP
for irrigation in the
liver State. Sacramento is espeei-
lily interested, and, as soon as the
pplication for our sister State shall
ave been formerly presented to
Congress-, the Board of Trade Of i
lis city would do well to pass
solutions urging favorable action
pom the petition. Sacramento is a
epot of supplies for Nevada, where
ur wholesale houses have a large
nd extensive trade. The growth
nd prosperity of Nevada must re-
ct most benefcially upon.this city.
of policy, as well as
le friendly feeling that exists be-
yeen our merchants and their Gus
'mers in Nevada, should induce
If Beard of Trade to extend a
slping hand to the movement in N
,gurated by the Gazette 1t would
, a graceful act in the California -.
legislature to pass resolution be- VI
'eaking favorable considera-