39 



attain an elevation of about 12,500 feet, and on their northern slopes snow remains during the 

 entire year. Little lakes, fed by snow-water, are found at great elevations in the natural basins 

 near the summits of the highest peaks, and present a very picturesque ap[)earance. The western 

 slope of those mountains, unlike many farther to the southward, is well furnished with living 

 streams of pure water abouiuling with mountain-trout. Here and there the canons have a showing 

 of pine timber of considerable size, while the foothills at a variety of places are densely packed 

 with wood for fuel purposes. 



EGAN AND SCHELI, CREEK RANGES. 



These are well defined in height and direction, extending for long distances, passing either 

 side of Steptoe Valley on the north, then Cave Valley, below wliicli the names change; but a suc- 

 cession of ranges, nearly parallel to the route projected for a raiiroail to the uu)Utii of the Virgin 

 Eiver, may be said to be a continuation of these ranges. The elevation at any of the points meas- 

 ured exceeds in no instance more tiian 11,200 feet, while 8,000 feet is the average iieight. Timber 

 is found at several points, while at many others wood for fuel abounds. 



SUPERIOR LIMIT IN ALTITUDE OF VEGETATION. 



By measurements taken along the flanks of JefT. Davis (now Wheeler's) Peak, the height 

 given for this limit was 11,500 feet above sea-level. Tlie latitude is 38° 5S', or in round numbers, 

 39° north latitude. 



Some few specimens of the species Mimuhi.s, Moscliaios, were found at a greater elevation 

 clinging to damj) places in the rocks, where evidently nothing of the shrub variety could exist. 



Observations taken on the top of Ilamel's Peak, on the Egan range, show this to have been 

 a little more than 11,200 feet. The top is here quite bare, and the latitude is but little farther 

 north. Unquestionably, had the height been greater, the vegetation would have crept as high as 

 in tlic former instance, and it is safe to assume that the [uactical limit of vegetation among the 

 mountains of Nevada for i)arallel 39° is not far from 11,500 feet above sea-level. 



AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 



Of the twenty-six valleys visited during the season, ranging in elevation from 2,000 to 7,000 

 feet, but a few of the number possess much agricultural area now tilled. The entire area covered 

 by the reconnaissance was nearly a blank ui)on the map at the time of starting for our season's 

 work; was but little known even to the energetic prospector who had penetrated into the in- 

 terior of the State of Nevada, and agricultural industry itself was but slowly coming into form in 

 any part of that State, principally mineral in its productions. A few hardy jiioneers in stock-iaising 

 had brought their herds over from Texas, via California, and others dissatisfied, or lacking room in 

 that State, had sought their way into the high mountain valleys, as it had but lately been foninl 

 that they would sustain stock during the winter period, which results largely from the fact that the 

 tops of the white sage, made nutritive and i)ahitable by frost, eim^rge above the snow that falls 

 during the winter season, and is usually available in large quantities. 



In Ruby Valley many settlei's had pre-empted and acquired title to lands proving to be among 

 the most protluctive of any in the State. Iiuleed, this valley probably possesses a greater number 

 of arable acres than any other in the State of Nevada. All lands noted require irrigation, except 

 those in the lower part of Pahranagat Valley, an exceptional spot, where a thorough degi-ee of 

 satin-ation is obtained because of the large flow of water from the thernml springs that break out 

 in dill'erent parts of the same. Along the lines of greatest depression in most of the valleys visited, 

 alluvial beds of greater or less extent occur, and the limit to their cultivation, except where alka- 

 line matters are in excess, is only governed by the amount of water-supply for irrigation that may 

 be made available naturally, since ranching has been taken up in a very desultory manner, with 

 few points for a market, and with little enterprise. Usually a ranchero, turning miner upon the 

 first excitement, and only returning to his ranch when all else fails, but lew of the elements that 

 nature presents have been taken advantage of, and irrigation, when ai)plied, has been only of the 



