The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1914-04-18

Nevada made good progress in
many directions during 1913 The
year, on the whole, was a prosperous
one, and the outlook for 1914 Is full
of promise.
We need not expect any radical
change in the present condition Of
persistent but gradual growth in ma
terial growth. population and pros
perity, as the situation appears to me,
before the commercial opening of the
Panama canal Thereafter, believe
that not only will the whole Pacific
coast enter upon an era of enormous
development but that this state viii
share in it,
The estimated value OF our mineral
production for 1913 is approximately
100000, or a slight falling off
from that of 1912, due to diminished
productions from certain mines which
have been large factors In previous
totals. While the increase in other
mining districts has not been suf-
ficient entirely to Offset this loss, the
mining outlook was never more prom
Using than at present. The average
number of new discoveries has been
lied, as during the boom era, mining
is fairly evenly distributed over the
state. Our production of copper Is
steadily increasing until we now
rank with the leading copper-produc-
ing states. In gold and silver pro-
duction we will probably continue to
hold the advanced position attained
of recent years.
Nevada has enormous known min
eral reserves In old mines and par
TALLY explored prospects, which were
Improbable for working at the time
mining and exploration work was dis
continued, hut which, from time to
time, with the progress of invention |
In mining appliances and metallurgy, |
are brought within the field of sue
cessful operation. The threading of
the state with electric power lines,
utilizing the streams of the Serras
to operate cages, pumps, mills and
reduction works, and to light under
ground workings, has served also to
renew mining In formerly abandoned
properties, as well to facilitate the
development of new discoveries.
Such cheaper power and the progress
of invention has solved the water
problem in the deep levels of many
of our older mines The so-called re.
bellious" ores of the early history of
mining have one by one surrendered
to the advance In metallurgical treat
ments, until the term Is practically
gone into disuse. All that the miner
at the present time asks Is that the
ore contain sufficient metallic values.
Whether such metals are "rebellious"
or otherwise Is now of secondary con-
sideration; for there are few combin-
atoms Of metals In ores which at
this time do not readily yield to
known methods of extraction.
So, with new mining discoveries,
cheap hydro electric power. and the
progress of invention in mining ma.
chinery and ore-reduction processes.
serving to renew activity In old min
ing districts and to facilitate the de-
velopment of new discoveries, the
present outlook of the mining indus
try in Nevada is perhaps better than
at any other period in our history.
Stability Of Agriculture.
However great our mining industry
- ~ PiNSSht anu piOSpSNlANcis,
have consistently held that the states
permanent material progress must
come through the development of its
agricultural resources, including live
stock.
We have an empire of arabic valley
lands, approximating 100000 acres,
which only need water to respond
with harvest. OF this enormous acre.
age. not over $4,000 acres are yet
under any form of cultivation and
perhaps less than 100000 acres are
farmed. within the broadcast latitude
of the term.
1t is the water-right, almost ex-
clusively, which makes possible the
farm in Nevada. Water, in respect to
our land, is what gold, silver, copper
and lead are to our mines. With.
out such metals the ore is valueless.
Without water. the richest land must
remain a part of the unfruitful des-
ert, inhospitable to husbandry or to
become the abode of withdrawing
farmers.
Conservation OF Water.
Since our water supply is limited
and its beneficial use in agriculture