subjected to soil analysis as a determinative, with which its location and climatic conditions 

 will govern the profitableness of its reclamation. 



SHADSCALE AND SALTBRUSH are indicative of alkali more frequently than other- 

 wise, and grow in the lowlands along the course of the drainage of alkaline waters from the 

 uplands. 



The moisture and heat variant, or relative aridity of one section of the State with 

 another, is to be given consideration as modifying to some extent the foregoing classifica- 

 tions, more especially with respect to the thriftiness of the black sagebrush. The relative 

 degree of moisture normally present in the soil will be reflected in a greater or less growth 

 of black sagebrush on equivalent soils, provided the moisture is not excessive. Beyond a 

 certain limit of soil moisture, it is to be understood that black sagebrush will not thrive 

 but is displaced by greasewood, nor will black sagebrush grow upon lands containing 

 more than a negligible quantity of alkali. 



Area of Arable Land in Nevada. 



Among the states and territories, Nevada ranks fourth in area, with 1 1 0,690 

 square miles of surface ; 869 of which is water. The land area may be roughly classified, 

 from the agricultural standpoint, into three groups, namely: alkali wastes and barrens; 

 mountainous and rolling grazing lands, and arable valley lands. While no accurate 

 computation has yet been made by either the State or the National Government of the lands 

 in each group, sufficient data is obtainable on which to base a reasonable approximation. 

 According to such calculations, the alkali deserts and verdureless barrens occupy approxi- 

 mately one-sixth of the total area of the State, or about 1 2,000,000 acres. The moun- 

 tains, hilly and rolling lands, unsuitable for agriculture but affording excellent range for 

 cattle and sheep, and on which 500,000 head of cattle and 1 ,500,000 head of sheep find 

 subsistence, is estimated at 40,000,000 acres. The total area of arable valley lands is 

 estimated at not less than 18,000,000 acres. The immensity of this latter acreage may 

 be conceived when it is stated that it is equivalent in area to all of Massachusetts, New 

 Hampshire and Rhode Island combined. 



Any average quarter-section of this 1 8,000,000 acres of arable land under irrigation 

 will support a family ; on no inconsiderable portion of it, eighty acres under cultivation will 

 support a family, and under intensive farming and fruit-raising, in many instances, sixty, 

 forty, and as low as twenty acres will support a family. Including natural grass meadows, 

 less than five per cent, or only about 750,000 acres of this arable area, is today under 

 cultivation. But the farms that are reclaimed are an indication of the wonderful possi- 

 bilities of the soil, latent until released to fruitfulness by the magic of irrigation ! 



THE REAL PROBLEM WATER 



On the foregoing showing, the problem for solution in the reclamation and colonization 

 of Nevada involves neither climate nor soil. The climate is propitious! the soil of at 

 least 1 8,000,000 acres is all that could reasonably be desired by the husbandman ! The 

 problem instead is to correct the deficiency of climatic humidity by artificial irrigation. 

 Water is the talisman of the desert without which the desert is, and with which the 

 desert vanishes, transformed into waving fields of alfalfa and grain, the verdure of 

 plant and fruit, tree and shrubbery, the homes of farmers, and the seats of villages, towns 

 and cities. 



Between the settler and the fruitfulness of the land lies this problem of water, and it 

 is our purpose here neither to underestimate nor overestimate the difficulties which must 

 be conquered. If unconquerable, there would be no necessity for this booklet. On the 

 other hand, nothing will be gained by minimizing the obstacles which must be overcome. 

 For a settler who under a false statement of facts might be induced to come to Nevada 

 expecting to select a homestead on the public domain, and through his own efforts and at 

 small outlay to develop a water right for it, would not find such conditions existing 

 except in rare instances, and his grievance at the misrepresentation would be genuine. 



