23 



ill Southeiu Nevada. Tho little town of Iljko is at tbe head of the valley, practically so, since the 

 Jiead has to be taken at the commencement of arable land, determined, in this case, by the appear- 

 ance of a large spring, tho water of which brings the land into a state fit for cnltivation. There is 

 qnite a strip of line vegetable mold farther up that can never be made nse of for want of irrigation. 

 This is covered with a Inxurient growth of sage-brnsb. 



It has been noted that, throughout Nevada, wherevi-r the sage brush grows thick and to a 

 large size, the soil underneath is susceptible of the highest cultivation. Unfortunately, however, 

 water is lacking in most of these localities, except at some future day artesian wells develop the 

 existence of large basins of water in the valley depressions. The mesas from tho east side of the 

 I'ahranagat range como down so closely upon the valley that it is rendered quite narrow, but 

 what there is of it is extremely fertile. The length is something over tliirty miles, and width 

 from three-fourths to one and one-half miles. The land-surveys show that there is from liftcen 

 to eighteen thousand acres of laiul subject to cultivation. This is an amount not equalled by any 

 other valley encountered in our travels, except lUiby Valley. There are three largo springs that 

 rise suddenly out of the ground, showing powerful subterranean force. The amouii ts of water are 

 sufficient for the irrigation of all that part of the valley necessary to be irrigated. Some parts 

 saturated continually need no irrigation. Adobes can be made lor buildings. Wood is not plenty, 

 and must come from the neighboring hills. Buuch-grass is found on the foot-hills at the lower end 

 of the valley. The valley-grass in some parts is salt grass; in others, the " blue-joint" appears. 

 Cattle thrive nixm any of it when acclimated. Stopping at several of the ranches, I was much sur- 

 l)rised at .seeing such luxuriance of vegetation ; vegetables were especially large, both in size and 

 production, and excellent in quality. 



The approximate area of agricultural laud in the valleys traversed by our parties is two hun- 

 dred and tilty square miles, showing tho great scarcity of arable land. It a[)pears certain that 

 lands in Sontheastern Nevada lit for agricultural production will, in time, be valuable. 



A return to our camp at Schafer's S[>rings is made, ami orders given for the train to move on 

 as far as Quinu Canon, the next stopping-place. Meanwhile a detour is made for the purpose of 

 obtaining topography of and information in regard to the 



Xm-PAH-UTE MINKS. 



These are situated in the southern end of a short detached range to the northeast from Tini- 

 Tah-Ute Peak, and to tho west of the head of Tahranagat Valley. Tiieir surface-showing is 

 very tine, and the ores assay very rich. The slight developments made determined nothing as to 

 the surety of the development of a fissure vein or veins. Tbe opportunities for mining and milling 

 are not convenient, but, on the other hand, very difficult. The nearest water is Tick-a-boo Springs, 

 some eight miles distant. 



The Crescent; Mill, sixteen miles from tho mines, had .just completed arrangements, at that 

 time, to mill their ore. The nearest approach from the vicinity of Wliite Pine is vIk Quinu Canon 

 directly down an alkali valley to the west of the mines, and the distance is approximately one hun- 

 dred and fifty miles. But a slight amount of capital bad been employed up to tbe time of our 

 arrival. The chances seem very favorable in this district for the future. Considerable sulphide 

 of silver is here found, and very little base metal. 



GR003I DISTRICT. 



This is situated to tbe south and west from Tim-Pah-Ute Peak, and is one vast deposit of 

 galena, so far as all accounts can be trusted. It was not visited for want of time and means. 



This district was not being worked by any miners in November last, but I understand that SHice 

 that tinu» parties have goui there to make some developments. The chances for mining are favor- 

 able ; wood and water are sntliciently plenty, and timber enough for all requirements. 



These galena ores are assuming quite a respectable status among mining schemes, and the 

 future will o\wu to them a histoiy unknown to the pa=<t. Good results may be looked for, and 



