county, many of the peaks almost reaching the altitude of Mt. Whitney, 

 which attains an elevation of 15,000 feet. This great wall Is Impassable 

 by the ordinary traveler, and is scaled only by the hardy prospectors and 

 hunters. The traveler to and from Inyo County must pass through western 

 Nevada, or by stage to the shores of Owens Lake to connect with the rail 

 route to the southwest. 



With but minor exceptions all the land of Inyo County that Is agri- 

 cultural is in the vicinity of Owens Lake. This valley is fifteen, miles wide 

 at Its upper end and narrows down to two miles, and is one hundred miles 

 in length. The reclamation service estimates that 200,000 acres can be 

 brought under a high state of cultivation. The soil is exceptionally fertile 

 and fine fruits and grain are grown. The honey industry Is fast assuming 

 great commercial importance, and the product is classed as extra fine in 

 the markets. The valley Is especially adapted to dairy and stock interests, 

 and the shipments of live-stock to the outside markets is Increasing 

 annually. 



Inyo County first became known through its mining Interests, but these 

 have lain dormant for several years. With the Increased Interest In mining on 

 the western border of Nevada, attention Is again being attracted to the 

 mines of Inyo County, and capital Is being Interested to an extent that bids 

 fair to make this county another of the great mining centers of the State. 

 A healthy revival is already in progress, and many promising discoveries 

 have been made. There is ample water supply for mining in this county, 

 and with increased rail facilities it is destined to become one of the great 

 centers of the entire West. The most unique of its industries is the soda 

 plant on the shores of Owens Lake, where the highly mineralized waters 

 are evaporated and the salts gathered for refining. Inyo County is credited 

 by mineralogists as having the greatest variety of minerals of any county 

 in California. 



Inyo is almost an unknown land to the greater number of Californlans, 

 and when Its vast and varied resources become generally known through 

 increased transportation facilities, it will become one of the popular coun- 

 ties, both on account of its wonderful possibilities for Industry and Its 

 scenic beauties. Its area is immense, comprising 10,224 square miles, 

 and its population is totally inadequate to the advantages offered. 



Modoc County 



MODOC COUNTY lies in the extreme northeastern corner of California, 

 and is a succession of mountain ranges and valleys branching off 

 from the Sierra Nevada, the principal spur of which is the Warner 

 Range. Its main drainage is by the Pitt River, which flows into the 

 Sacramento near Redding, in Shasta County. More than one half 

 of the total area of the county is the lava-bed section. Two large lakes are 

 within the county, and it is well watered, but with the exception of the 

 lake shores and the large cattle ranges it is sparsely settled, and fit only for 

 grazing. 



The valleys are the principal features of the county. Surprise Valley 

 lies in the northeastern corner of the county, running into Nevada and 

 Oregon. Its soil Is a rich, dark loam and is generally under cultivation. 

 The value of this land ranges from ten to sixty dollars an acre. Wheat, 

 barley, grain, fruit, and vegetables are the staples of produce. Thousands 

 of acres are in alfalfa, and stock and dairying interests are thriving. Every 

 ranch has a fine orchard. The towns of this valley are Fort Bidwell (an 

 old Indian fort, now abandoned as such, but the seat at present of an Indian 

 school), Lake City, Cedarville, and Eagleville. 



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