The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-04-19
RANCHERS AND MINERS Of NORTHERN
HUMBOLDT ARE NOT DOWNHEARTED
On the Other Hand, They All Look Forward to Rapidly
Improving Times; Hay Ranches May Suffer for
Lack of Water; Mining Increasing; Sheep
men Happy; Orovada Is Growing

While "the spirit Of the north"
(meaning northern Humboldt coun-
ty) may not correctly be stated
as optimistic, neither can it be said
that the various interests repre-
sented by residents there are viewed
in pessimistic light.
The sneepmen, with wool selling
at a comparatively high price, and
their bands in many cases more
than doubled in value, are of course
not downhearted. They are some
what apprehensive, however, con-
cerning the wisdom or folly of hold
ng wool much longer, it being
argely guess whether future
prices are to be higher or lower
shan the present forty-to-forty-two-
cent level. Some are of opinion
hat the present prices cannot hold
ong, while others laugh at the con-
tention that wool may go lower.
In this latter case it would seem
to be that the woolmen are wear
ng the gamblers mask, for it is
noticeable that they are under ner-
zous tension while the subject is
being discussed.
Present high prices for wool mean
great things for the sheepmen, bar
ring the possibility of continued
ligh wage demands on the part of
lerders and other high production
,osts, but seemingly the condition
If the wool market is so much
better than was even fondly hoped
FOR a year ago that the growers
are secretely chuckling at their
rood fortune. The Republican wool
tariff is given full credit for the
present condition.
There has been some talk lately
If the woolmen selling their focks
While present high prices are pre-
falent, in anticipation of possible
future depression in the industry
continued high costs of production
md what is termed the unreason-
lble demand and inattentive work
# sheepherders, resulting in a pos
ible recurrence of the almost un-
oerable conditions which have ex,
sted during recent years. While
he sheepmen are complaining or
shese scores, and their complaints
appear valid enough, aside from the
recent sales &C sheep reported in
these columns there seems to be nc
concerted desire to sell. 1t may
develop after wool is clipped that
some shepmen will sell while the
selling's good, matter which would
constitute a great loss to this COM
munity, but, as stated, nothing is
heard of such intentions if indeed
they exist.
Ranchers of the north who be-
cause of good water rights are prac-
tically assured of adequate water
supply for irrigation are of course
not particularly worried concern.
ing the coming season, but others
who are further away from the sup,
plies of water and who are more OF
less at the mercy of the elements
and the generosity of neighbors
ahead of them on the various streams
are not SO well off. For instance
at the Godcheaux ranch of the
Union Land & Cattle Company at
Willow Point it is not expected by
Superintendent Connors that any
hay will be cut this year, because OF
water shortage, and the Millers
also near Willow Point, are not
looking for very large crops. Al
the Abel & Curtner ranch Art Abe
said he did not expect great deal
this year, but that experience dur
ing previous years had taught him
that he must not predict light crops
too early in the year, for conditions
have frequently improved after the
present date to the extent that
surprising crops We're obtained. II
should be said, however, that al
these ranches, far down upon the
waters course, dry seasons are the
rule rather than the exception.
Conditions are not bad at the
present time," said Art Abel, in
discussing the possible crops, mar.
ket and similar subjects. Continu.
ing, he said: "The ranchers have
been hard hit during the last few
years and in great many cases
are only now commencing to get
on their feet, or at least given 9
title breathing spell. The cattle