Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-12-18

State and county tax rate, $1.22.
Area 100000 acres. .
Production OF precious metals ov.
er $780, 1000.
Grazes 100000 sheep. 100000 cattle,
and $4,000 horses.
Contains largest ranch In the world
-165 miles long and containing 1,6OO,-
900 acres.
Trayersed by two trans-continental
railways.
Delightful climate-average summer
temperature, 70 degrees; average win
ter temperature. 36 degrees.
Contains millions Of acres open for
the dry farmer.
The simple statement that Elko
county contains 100000 acres does
not make much of an impression upon
the mind Of the average reader, but
when we consider that such an acre
g represents the size of Massachu-
sets, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
combined, the figures take on added
significance. But to fully appreciate
the vastness Of Elko county one must
travel over it. To cover all of county
roads would mean a trip about equal
In extent to that from New York to
San Francisco. And while It is hard
to comprehend the area of Elko coun-
ty, it is equally hard to fully realize
its riches and resources.
Elko county contains mining camps
which offer most inviting opportuni-
ties for capital. and already she has
produced more than $50. 000, 900 in
precious metals, but our mineral In
dustry is small when compared with
u agricultural resources. To give
an adequate idea OF the latter would
necessItate the taking up Of each of
the many large and productive val
leys separately. and the publication
OF many volumes. In the brief space
here afforded it is possible to give on
ly general statements, but by these
it is hoped to convey some idea Of
the present and future greatness OF
this splendid empire.
Just as Elko county is big, SO is
everything done here on a big scale.
1t has the greatest stock ranges in
the state, upon which. Craze thous-
ands of cattle, sheep and horses, and
millions are represented in this indus
try. Ranches + big, many running
well into the thousands Of acres, and
one, that Of the Utah Construction
Co., situated north Of Wells, is said
to be the largest ranch In the world.
1t is. M hundred and sixty-ive miles
in length, and contains one million
six hundred thousand acres In Elko
County. In this same holding there
are four hundred thousand acres in
Idaho, making approximately two mil
lion acres in one holding.
II is due to the great size Of the
ranches that heretofore their acres
have been devoted almost exclusively
to the raising Of hay and a small
amount of grain. This was the east
est crop and the one most easily con
verted into cash. But this condition
Is due to change, and that before
long. It has been conclusively DEM
onstrated that intensive cultivation is
practicable, and that millions Of acres
now growing wild hay can be made
to grow the more profitable crops.
Many colonization projects are under
way by which II Is proposed to cut
the larger holdings iGto small farms,
and when this is done the agricul-
tural OF Elko county will
be increased ten fold.
An important branch Of agriculture.
that of dry farming, has recently been
undertaken in Elko county and Ia
proving successful beyond the expec-
tations of the most sanguine. Near
Metropolis, which lies eight miles
north of Wells. operations along this
line have been more extensively UNI
dertaken than In any other section OF
the county. Here where only four
years ago was nothing but a barren
waste, are large and beautiful fields OF
grain with stands that viii compare
fayorably with those OF irrigated dis
triots. Many substantial ranch homes
have been built with the idea OF max
ing permanent homes, for their own
ers feel that dry farming there is be-
yond experimental stages, and doubt
no longer exists that the more hardy
garden truck. grains and fruits can
be raised with handsome profits. Most
of the homesteaders here arc from
Utah and are OF the Norman faith.
They are proving themselves to be an
energetic, thrifty, honest and intelli-
gent people. home lovers and home
builders, and truthfuily may It be