Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-06-26
HoMEsEEKERs INTERESTED.

who have the Western fever" De-
catur. Ala, farmer and business man
asks friend at Elko to answer a
number of questions regarding Ne
vada. The questions were submitted
to The Independent and this article
will constitute the answer to the let
ter.
Q.-How many farmers in Nevada
and how many of them are foreigners?
A.-Three thousand farmers, ap-
proximately, in the State, Of whom $40
are foreign-born whites: 1876 from
Italy, 143 from Germany. 70 from Ire
land. ~ from Canada, II from Den
mark. 70 from England, 60 from Swift.
zerland. Only 166, or percent of all
farmers, are non-whites, 148 of these
being Indians. 7 Chinese and ne
groes.
OFF the States agricultural re-
sources are so wonderful, why is II
there aren't more farmers there?
A.-Because most of those who
come turn miners. The State has new
er attempted to mobilize" its agricul-
tural resources. For many years the
State has been the scene Of bonanza
farming and bonanza mining-both on
a vast scale. The fabulous richness
of the Comstock lode-the most re-
markable deposit of precious metals in
the history of the world-has produced
hundreds of millions in gold and silver
and still is producing. The subsequent
discovery of rich gold and silver mines
at Tonopah, Goldfield and other places
has absorbed the attention and mo-
nopolized the activities of many who
otherwise would be engaged in farm
ing. The gross value annually of all
products from our mines and quarries
exceeds S25,OO0,0 900, and will far ex-
coed this sum when the great new
properties and prospects in Elko Coun-
ty begin ore shipments. You can
actually pick up gold in Elko County.
For instance: An expert mining man
from Colorado recently visited the
Tuscarora mines, near Elko, which
already have produced enormous
treasure but long have been idle, and
after making a thorough test of the
Immediately organized a company for
the purpose of treating the tailings, by
smelling process, for the reclama-
tion of the remaining gold and silver.
Ha nsauraS tho Indnnandant tbnt in
one place there are in sight two mil.
lion tons, assaying In value $3.50 pei
ton. He Is putting in 500.ton mill
which can be operated at q cost of less
than 800 day. whats the use OF
blasting and digging for gold in Elko
County" he asks, when one can FIND
millions already dug and waiting fol
the CLAIMANT" How could Nevada in
terest any young farmer in the hog
and hominy possibilities of our match
less Elko County, when he sees OF
hears of millions lying around loose
You may have heard the famous lee
ture, Acres of Diamonds" Well, the
orator was talking about Elko County
Nevada.
Q.-How much good land is avail
able in Elko County and how abou
water for irrigation?
A.-Millions of acres; in farms
about a million, 81 percent improved
about 100000 acres. We now have
about 500 farmers, instead of the
needed 10000, for all of whom there
are matchless opportunities; number
of all farms, 500; operated by owners
$50; by tenants. 20, OF whom 10 are
native white; owning 100 to 172 acres
100. Considering the vast domain o
the county and its marvellous fertilit,
and scenic grandeur, these figures, o
course, seem ridiculous, but the rea
sons for lack OF iarmir development
are as stated. Once capital is wei
started In The tpsk of making read
these lands for the homeseeker, tn
population will double, treble an
quadruple so quickly that the countr
will be dazed by the transformation
Now Is the time, however for tn
homeseektr who wants land practical
ly free that in n few years will SCI
for high prices. The price of the Il
ture will be fixed by the intrinsic valu
and that will be extremely high.
In the whole State there are abou
5000 farms. Farming 80 TO 80 acres
All persons; 100 to 174 acres, SIS: 2e
to 400, 366; 1000 acres and moi
(bonanZas), 344.
Irrigation is. of course, the essenti,
feature of successful agricultul
throughout Nevada. The State Ia n
arid plateau lying almost entireI
within the Great Basin, shut in @
both sides by high mountain range
which keep off the raln-bearlng ciout
from the east and the west. The raj
fall Is insufficient for the growing
crops successfully without irrigatio
the norinPl annual precipitation beir
less than 10 inches.
There has bcon little developmej
yet Of any source OF water supply OF
or than streams Pumping for irrig
ton from any source has been b.
little praoticed, but with the forthcoi
inp advauf ~ chnon nIoot riooI nov,