GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 273 



tracts of tillable land are found in and at tlie mouths of the canons. A 

 great number of mountain-streams flow down and sink in this valley. 

 In these streams, as well as in King's Eiver and Quin's Eiver, and the 

 creeks and brooks of Paradise Valley, are found the most delicious trout, 

 while the water affords means for irrigation where it is required. Ele- 

 vation, about 5,000 feet. 



Grass Valley, ten miles southeast from Winnemucca, is watered from 

 the caiions on the east and west, and* contains 50,000 acres, about 500 

 of which only are now under cultivation, with the very best success to 

 the husbandman. Wheat, oats, barley, and all kinds of vegetables grow 

 in great abundance, though the amount of surface water is limited. 

 Elevation, 4,300 feet. 



Eeese Eiver Valley is from eighty to one hundred miles long, and 

 from two to eight wide, through which flows the river from which it 

 takes its name. The river, except in seasons of more than usual snow 

 and rain in the mountains, sinks before it reaches the Humboldt, at a 

 point near Battle Mountain, on the railroad. 



Fish Creek Valley, twenty miles west, contains four or five thousand 

 acres of arable land, and west of this is Lone Hill Valley, which contains 

 100,000 acres of sage-bush land suitable for cultivation, but now being 

 sought after by stock-men for grazing purposes. Elevation, 4,800 feet. 



Clover Valley, south of Wells Station, contains about 100,000 acres 

 level land. Some meadow land about Snow Creek and Lake. Eleva- 

 tion, 5,700 feet. Nearly all good farming land, with water plenty. 



Thousand Spring Valley, east of Wells Station, contains about 70,000 

 acres grazing land. Water abundant. Elevation, 5,950 feet. 



Grouse Valley, outlet of Thousand Spring, contains some good grazing 

 and meadow land. Elevation, 5,600 feet. 



A minute description of each valley would be simply a repetition of 

 words; for all the valleys above named in climate, soil, productions, and 

 general appearance are very much the same. A sufficient supply of 

 water for irrigation is the great want. This difficulty, however, can be 

 obviated by artesian wells. The time is not distant when hundreds of 

 thousands of acres will be brought into subjection by this means, and 

 now, wliere there is nothing seemingly but a desert waste, broad fields 

 of the cereals and inviting meadows will delight the eye and relieve the 

 present monotony. The apples and peaches in the few orchards in 

 Humboldt County are unsurpassed in their yield and the flavor of their 

 fruit. That there is an abundance of water beneath the surface, only 

 requiring necessity to bring it forth, has already been proven at the two 

 extremes of the great Humboldt Valley. One has recently been bored 

 fifty miles east of Wadsworth, on the line of the Central Pacific Eailroad, 

 and is now yielding a constant supply of water, which it sends through the 

 pipe four feet above the surface. Another at Kelton, begun and com- 

 pleted last week, sends up a fine stream several feet above the surface. 

 The exj)ense of boring thus far has proven quite insignificant, which 

 fact, with results already achieved, will influence others in the same 

 direction, and it is not unreasonable to believe, from what has been ac- 

 complished, that the great need — water — will be supplied through ar- 

 tesian wells. 

 " 18 a S 



