The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1893-08-17
LINCOLN COUNTY.
Its VARIED Agricultural Resources
and Means OF Irrigation.

One OF the bulletins issued by the
Census Bureau at Washington, and de-
voted to irrigation in Nevada, refers to
Lincoln County as follows:
Lincoln county is in the southeastern
corner of Nevada, adjoining Utah. Ari-
iona and California. It extends from
the Colorado river northerly half the
length OF the state, thus embracing on
the south great portion of the lowest
part OF the state, areas Of considerable size
near the Colorado river being below an
altitude of 1000 feet. The annual rain.
fall is very small. being from s inches
down to less than inch. The average
for over five years at Phoebe. where the
altitude is about 6, 200 feet, has been G. 80
inches, The southern and lower portions
OF the county are thus exceptionally dry.
and the climate 10 semi. tropical in
character, so that wherever water can be
obtained the more valuable fruits can be
raised, as well ss cotton and sugar cane.
The principal agricultural settlements
are along the Pahranagat valley; also
along Muddy river. which flows into the
Virgin. and on the Virgin river. The
water supply of the Pahransgat valley is
derived from number of large springs
which arise at intervals along the noun.
tains. The most northerly of these is
known as the Hike spring. About Eve
miles south of this are the Crystal
springs, and south Of these Ash spring.
The farming land lies in narrow belt
about thirty miles long and less than a
mile in width. The springs deliver a
nearly constant supply of warm water,
which hows down the valley and forms q
lake at the southern end. The lowest
land was formerly marsh. and required
draining, followed by irrigation; in fact,
the farmers on the lowest ground com.
plain that fora large part of the year
their land is under water, while the rest
OF the year they may suffer from drought.
Above the low bottom land ia a broad
bench, the natural grass Of which fur.
nishes excellent grazing for cattle during
certain seasons of the year. II the water
OF these springs could be conducted out
upon portion of this bench by means of
wsll.built canals. doubtless larger area
Of better land could be brought under
cultivation, With the present lack Of
markets, however, and the impossibility
OF transporting the produce. it ia doubt.
full If such projects would repay their
cost At present the principal occupa.
ton is stock raising, and only sufficient
OF the small grains, vegetables and fruits
is raised to supply local consumption.
With the construction, however, Of a
through line of railroad from Salt Lake
City to the coast. agricultural operations
should be greatly stimulated.
Along the Muddy river, in the vicinity
of Moapa and Overton, are number Of
ranches. on each Of which small amount
OF grain is raised. There are also about
200 Indians belonging on the reservation,
some of whom raise wheat, barley and
vegetables, having upward of twenty
acres each in few instances. These
Indians. however, are very poor aud
roam from one settlement to another
seeking work, the ordinary wages, 1t ia
stated. being fifty cents day and board.
On the Virgin river the farms in the
vicinity Of Bunkerville are in many way.
similar to those in Washington county,
Utah. The bed of the river is constantly
changing, rendering irrigation difficult
and expensive. and the occasional heavy
summer storms not only destroy crops,
but even wash away portions of tho agri
CULTURAL land. The climate, however, /,
20 favorable that the most valuable crop,
can be raised with success. aud Eve
cuttings Of alfalfa can often be obtained