The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1919-06-20

che and Jackrabbit, up TO and beyond :
the dry farm country. and called sim S
ply the fiat by most of the Pioche
naople. is now receiving merited atten-
ION from the progressive local spirits
mo are actively engaged In .he devel
nnment of this part of Nevada. " ed
p.sday a party composed OF DIR. W. ". |
Stockham, Charles Culverwell ami W. |
Hurkett, accompanied by. Ira Nc |
"a Land of the state engineers oiIice.
drove into the valley for the purpose I
Of getting at first hand and upon the q,
Inc Nevada state department which
would aid in the development and cul-
tiyation of this land. - ,,
The existing general water condl-
lions of the valley are fairly well |
known and needed little investigation.
the valley being undelaid with belt
OF artesian water was gone into as
thoroughly as the time and opportunt-
ties would permit. No surface indica-
lions OF artesian water such, for in
stance, as the water mounds of the Las
vegas ,sb arassian and Mr. % Mcfarland % said thai
while the formation Is favorable and
lime concretions are to be found, sew
there is nothing showing upon the sur,
face by which well could be located
with certainty of success; 1t was MS
opinion. however, that this valley is |
the underground channel draining the |
surrounding country even as TAR noftn |
as the Cumberland pass, and that the |
chances for developing artesian water |
were favorable. This valley has been
reported as being within an artesian
belt and is SO shown on the maps OF
the state engineers office. .
The most favorable surface condl,
tions seemed to be in the neighborhood
of the four-mile and siX-mile ranches,
and if well is to be driven Mr.. Nc
Farland suggested that it would be
advisable to locate it either on one side
or the other of the fiat bottom land, so
that in the extremely possible event OF
striking an artesian flow the water
could be utilized to good advantage.
The party returned early, as Mr. Nc
Farland could not spare much time on
this trip, as there were several water
cases waiting to be adjudicated but
before he left he gave an instructive
and interesting account OF the work OF
the state engineer: DURING the ee e1hs bis
eyes light up with enthusiasm, kindled
by the thoughts of the great work un,
dertaken by the people of Nevada ana
partment-work which it is confidently
expected will result in the reclamation
of many acres and afford homes ana
livelihood for many thousands of addl-
tional people within the confines or the
state. 1t is entirely reasonable to eXo
meet the cultivated area of the state
TO be multiplied by four. 1t is given 10
but few men to be able to vision the
result of this work, athough az MAY
see the increased prosperity and nap,
piness accruing with the cultivation OF
these huge areas. . -
Mr.. Mcfarland not only brings an
enthusiastic industry into the work;
but he has also the beneht OF a S9lio
and practical experience re he,u q
high position with the lngersoll-Rahu
people manufacturers of heavy ma /.
chinery. in which, OF course ne mao nSu
varied and thorough framing N HeyaSa Uast,
about thirteen years ago he has had the
opportunity of becoming acquainte@a @
Watching the development of the. state
he has been called upon 70 serve IN the
legislature, where he. did his work
fairly as he saw the right. In agricul- :
turai problems he has had actual ranch
experience on his beautiful place az IN :
dian Springs. and thus not onfy fsn, Is q; II ne 8
the Nevada farmer, but he has also ac
tually worked out many or these prop-
lens, Long before he thought of being
ronnected with the state investigation
of underground waters he had given &c
this subject much careful thought anf
work An experienced driller, due tC
his earlier connection with the ma
rhnery manufacturers ne purcnasea u
Well drilling outfit and put, down sev
eral wells, getting practical results o
value. AS voluntary sovernmenta
observer. he gained informatlon it atonal ir4Il 81
the keeping of the weather records +,
carried along exhaustive tests regard
ing the possibility of proiitably pump
Water for irrigation of certain. crops
To his keen observation and fruittu
study much has ,6se been cnrions aadea TO wate te
mounds which are to be seen IN mum
hers in the Las Vegas valley and else
where. 1880 hoo
passed by thirsty men who dld nc
suspect that within the choked throa,
Of the apparent sand dunsI nf livinr viere waite
which were awaiting release ana us
Always has he been striving with az
ricultural problems, sometimes success
fully and at other times he has phil'
sophically taken his losses Socially
prince Of good fellows, perinaaphs pita his sayIif VIII
who is a charming matron of souther
hospitality, and those fortunate on
who have enjoyed the open -haTge InIs
springs VIII always retain pleasa,
gratitude for the memories OF q
peaceful evenings In that CnmnisS OASIS 9i wi Vi
the knowledge of the work in which
is now engaged. Mr.. Mcfarland mas
suggestions given to the local peop
carry the weight of authority .
Speaking of the possib7iilit'es, s., OF "a q
Farland outlined the simple requir
ments of an artesian flow. There ~ !
be, of course, an open stratum sa~vn tm ~,
Then the water must be confined
some impervious stratum overlying I
vat water held within s the porous hy Waii S,rn'a a
the pressure of the imprisoned Wa'
be sufficient the water Will be torc
out of the well exactly as from
spring. AS a third requirement. tht
must be lime in the water, as the II
gives the water the property for Sc
Ing the water channels and, speak,
fguratvely. for building around It's
a reservoir of lime concretions. 1t
for this reason that the finding OF
lime coneretio in this valley Is &C
sidered a favorable sign OF aries
water, as is also the known analv
OF the ground water. In the report
Everett Carpenter, published by
United states geological survey IN ~
Mr.. Carpenter, while speaking or con
tons in this valley, does not take
the question OF artesian waters.
does make the positive and unqual
statement that "ln the southern parN
the valley water could be prohta
pumped for the irrigation OF crops
supply the market at the local mln
The State Teache