Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1891-07-12

IN aluiosS every respect, jogging along
fully a century behind the greater
part ~ the United States. Our mines,
outside OF Tuscarora are worked in
al.uost as crude u way as characterized
mining a hundred years ago.
Our -stockmen could learn man
points in tho'raisius and proper care
OF their. cattle from the inhabitants
Of the world Of two thousand, and
more years ago, while our farmers are
far behind tho people Of those times
IN their methods Of agriculture by
Irrigation. =. -
The agricultural lands in the coun-
ty lie mostly ,op the table. lnnds bo-
tween tho strclnls from the foot OF
tho mountains, slopins down towards
tho rivers and lowest parts Of the
main Valleys. These table lands are
generally ut IN elevation Of $500 to
COCO feet. In almost all cases at Il
lower elevation it is too cold to raise
anything but native grasses; while
even higher. than 6,Jo0 feet the tem-
perature is milder, aud most Of the
fruits and Vegetables OF the temperate
zone can be.easily raised; even grapes
doing we'll in many localities.
CLIMATE.
The reason for the higher attitudes
having the iu,idest climate, is found
in the fact that the cold air being tho
heavier and having tho faculty OF
flowing even moro freely than water
seeks tho lowest levels, crowding out
tho warmer air, that in turn mounts
upwards to take the place of the cold
descending air. We're there no
winds the cold mir could always
be found flowing down in the
tho ravincs and valleys, whilo the
warm air would flow upwards along
the bench lands and ridges; but the
counter currents OF air caused by the
prevailing winds above often change
tho currents II great deal. Still they
do not do 30 enough TO create much
change in the cold und warm currents
VI air, and the results arc that tho
bonch lands: are so much warmer
than tho r~ayines and lower valleys.
In the broader valleys and river bot
toms these different currents Of air
are not often strong enough to DO
distinguished; but in the narrow can
yons in the mountains they show very
strongly, and it has been noted by
everyone living in those canyons or
camping in them n few days, that
every evening ard night, after the
heavier upper currents have died
away, IL steady cool breeze will blow
down tho cdnyon. While travellers
after nightfall, crossing the noun
tain ranges, by ascending one canyon
and descending another ON the oppo-
site side, find IA brccze blowing down
euch canyon. II person should
have n Thermometer and note the
temperature in tho canyon, and then
so upon tho ridge between no will
find another breeze flowing up tho
ridge, and its temperature far warmer
than that flowing down.
VALLEY OF THE HUMBoLDT.
In tho valley OF the Humboldt
through the county this local current
or cool air can DO readily distin-
guished by noting tho direction OF
the smoke from the houses, and thon
looking to tho clouds and noting
their direction. Day after day the
writer has seen this local wind
flowing steadily south = west
orly, following the river bot.
tom whilo tho clouds mt all
elevations overhead were travelling at
right angles and to tho southeast.
This characteristic OF our winds, or
local currents Of air, must DO fully
understood before an Intelligent idea
Of the climatic changes, and their
causes can DO had. That tender vegc-
lubles ind fruits can DO easily raised
at an elevation Of Goo feet, or over,
while within Il few miles, and II fur
lower elevation, tho Same fruits and
vegetables can only 10 raised in n
hot-housc and 10y great caro-, is ono OF
tho many anomalies OF this country
that may seom incredable To those
who have not made n study Of it.
AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
Tho agricultural lands arc divided
naturally into threegroups, viz: LIST,
those lands situated where vegetables
and fruit, M vol us coreals and hay
can DO grown, and arc the most dc.
sirabic for FIRMS; 2nd, those whore
only tho ihardior Vegetables und
cereals can DO raised; and 3rd, those
whore ouly hRy con grow and mature.
The fret laIds arc located on tho
benches, townrds tho foot Of tho
mountains, Hnd in tho mountains
themselves, in the canyons. Tho
lnst arc in tho lowest levels OF tho
rivers and valleys; md the second arc
midway between the first and third.
That 10, as n rulo tho throo groups
lay in this position; but sometimes
tho coniigurntion Of tho hills and ra-
vines, or passes, change tho local
currents Of cold and warm mir 30 that
tho rule is reversed. Often too the
three groups will DO so close together
that they arc embrucod within tao
Of one ranch Of IL couple hun.
dred ncres; and tho rancher 10 often
III rnriand Ia Ilnl lhni ihuu lnula L.