The San Francisco call., 1904-07-25
INYO COUNTY's WEALTH.
Mineral Resources and Agricultural
Possibilities Give Higher Rank.

H.
The Inyo Register devotes much
space to a special description of Inyo
County. Some of the leading facts are
republished here for general informa-
ton as follows:
Inyo's area. 1o.156 square miles: boundaries,
north. Mono County; east State OF Nevada:
south, San Bernardino and Kern; west Fresno
and Tulare. Surface largely mountainous
with large valleys, which. with the exception
OF Owens Valley, are mostly desert.
Population. census 1900 4377. Bonded debt,
500, 600. Assessed value. 1903 81, 3l6, 319; tax
rate, 1903, 81 % per 500.
Nearly ali the common minerals and metals
and some that are rare are found in the
county. The desert portion is a veritable
treasure house OF minerals, now in most in
stances lying dormant because of lack Of
available transportation. Textbooks credit
lnyo with having larger variety of minerals
than any other California county, nearly $50
such being known, and others probable. Mil
lions OF dollars have been produced from this
Cerro Gordo being credited with $13 COO 600
output during the first seven years OF its ca
reer. Mines are found. and more or less
worked. in all portions OF the county. Add to
the lodges and similar deposits the vast beds
OF borax, salt inter, marble, slate, building
stone phosphates etc and the unlimited de-
posit of soda in the waters of owens Lake
and now being extracted by evaporation and
We have lengthy list. Within the county
lie deposits extensive enough TO supply the
worlds markets In several lines once the prob
lem OF cheap transportation is solved
The Owens Valley extends nearly the length
OF the countys western edge. To IL alone is
reference made in speaking OF agricultural
development, for it contains all the county 5
agricultural land and fully nine-tenths OF the
population. II is the natural supply point for
surrounding mining regions, including the min
eral helds Of its own county. much of Mono
and Esmeralda counties, and the new camps
in the Tonopah region.
Owens Valley is approximately 100 miles
almost cut in two BY a spur of the Sierras
near Fish Springs. south OF which it expands
70 a width Of six to ten miles. II contains
about 100000 acres of areable land of which
Scarcely one-fifth OF this is as yet materially
improved.
through much Of the valley it is sandy with
loan along the low lands. AlkaIi is found in
this latter soil, but not usually in sufficient
quantity 10 make the land useless
Agricultural lands are obtainable at prices
which, in comparison with those charged in
many less fertile sections. are very low rang
ing from 81 25 an acre for Government loca-
tions to from $40 to 500 for improved tracts.
Much good land lies east Of tha riyar. tbat
amount ana area developed. As this latter is
seen from the car window at a distance the
travellers impression from that view par
ticularly after his desert ride before reaching
the valley is not apt to do justice
: The altitude ranges from 1920 feet at Keller
39O1 at Independence station, to 1850 at Bishop
station and slightly more in Round Valley
Owing to this and the dry air. the climate is
mild and healthful.
IN this valley is unknown. Armies OF in
sect pests fail TO reach us and as the SHOWS
OF the high Serras the main dependence
FOR water sweeping droughts impossible
The valley is not adapted TO citrus fruits
Flgs. cotton and tobacco have been grown or
a limited scale but without degree of sue
cess to encourage such culture. Apples pears
apricots peaches pums. prunes, walnuts
almonds and all kinds OF berries grown here
excite admiration wherever they are disnlaved
for their size as we'll flavor This is es
peclally true OF apples and other large fruits
~fr,f1g emo
in all parts OF the valley. In the southern
part, especially. opportunities for thi
kind Of culture equal to those of any part O
the State.
Wheat corn, oats and barley are stap
! crops. On some tracts as high $500 pound
| Of wheat per acre has been grown While thi
| is much above the normal yields Of 1000 Z
2o9o pounds per acre are common
/ Sugar beets grown in an experimental wa,
! show an unusually high percentage OF saccha
! rine matter. and 1t is probable that some da,
| this viii become an important industry in thi
/ county
Inyo honey is probably not surpassed any
/ where earth The honey crop of 1908 wa
! sold at valley railroad stations the hizhes
market fgures-higher than paid anywher
/ else considering the fact that purchasers ha
an additional freight charge to pay to get III
crop TO the main railroad lines. This industr
! is rapidly growing, the annual sales (exclu
J sfve OF home consumption now being fror
stock raising is one of the most promisin
| alfalfa and other grasses here grown the hig
altitude, favorable climate, mountain range
/ for summer use, and pure water supply n
! factors which the observing stockman will an
prove and which show in the meats raise
| here and the animals sent elsewhere The sam
/ factors make this most promising field fc
| dairying.
| creasing Importance.
In ali these industries as in mining 10,
/ grade ores there is yet lacking one erea
factor. viz, direct and cheap transportation
| There are countless openings here for men
/ Industry and energy, whenever a souther
outlet is provided. At present the minin
| camps take all the more ,perishable produce W
| can supply; the honey. wool. meats and sim
| liar products are prof1tably sold In the Iar2
| cities Our cresmeries find sale for the
| output but thus far have not undertaken
| establish markets beyond the line of TIE
| and c and its tributary country.
Miss Richley-Ma bell love youi
exclaimed young Dremer. ''Ah, if
j could only prove my love; if, like
| knight of old, could only go and figh