272 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



in length and about tliree miles in widtli. This valley lies along the 

 base of the Sierra ^N'evada Mountains proper. Several mountain streams 

 flow into it on the west, and it is drained by Washoe Creek, which 

 forms a junction with Hot-Spring Creek and flows into Truckee Eiver. 

 Elevation about 4,(i00 feet. Climate mild, similar to that of the Middle 

 States. 



Humboldt Yalley, extending from Humboldt Lake to Humboldt Wells, 

 a distance of three hundred and eighty-four miles, embraces some fine 

 meadow and agricultural lands. Outside of the river-bottoms, which will 

 average a mile in width for a distance of sixty or seventy miles, it is prin- 

 cipally sage-bush land, of sandy soil, but very productive when water can 

 be found for irrigation. I^umerous streams of water are found upon 

 either side of the valley, rushing down the mountain gorges, all of which 

 sink soon after leaving the mouths of the caSons. 



Big Meadows, about five miles above Humboldt Lake, containing 

 about 5,000 acres of land, furnishes great quantities of grass and hay; 

 it contains tillable land, and a fair quality of peat is found here, and in 

 considerable quantities. Elevation, average of that of Humboldt Valley. 



Salt Yalley is located thirty miles east of Humboldt Lake ; contains 

 about 100,000 acres of sage-bush and salt land. It is remarkable and 

 valuable only for its immense salt-bed, which is inexhaustible. Suc- 

 cessive layers of fine, crystallized salt are Ibund to the depth of several 

 feet from the surface. Elevation of valley, 4,199 feet. 



Black Eock Valley, forty miles west of Humboldt City, contains 350,000 

 acres of sage-bush and alkali flats, and volcanic matter lines the out- 

 skirts. This valley is almost entirely destitute of vegetation. Elevation, 

 4,900 feet. 



Quin's Eiver Valley, forty miles to the east of Black Eock, and distant 

 fifty miles to the northward from Humboldt Valley, contains 115,000 

 acres, a great portion of which is fine agricultural land. The valley 

 itself has fine blue-joint and red-top grasses, and the surrounding foot- 

 hills and mountains are covered with an immense growth of bunch-grass 

 and white sage, and constitutes the finest cattle range in the State. 

 Quin's Eiver flows through it, and sinks in Black Eock Valley. General 

 elevation, 4,850 feet. 



King's Eiver Valley lies twenty-five miles to the northwest of Quin's 

 Eiver, and contains about 75.000 acres of land. In every respect, except 

 as to extent, the two valleys are alike, elevation being about the same. 



Paradise Valley is twenty miles distant, commencing ten miles north 

 from Winnemucca, and contains 125,000 acres. Little Humboldt Eiver 

 enters it near its head and pours down its center. This valley contains 

 35,000 acres of meadow land, and yields a most luxuriant crop of blue- 

 joint and red-top grasses and white clover annually. Outside of the 

 grassland are large tracts of sage-bush land, which yield almost incred- 

 ible crops of wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes. The yield of barley is 

 from 50 to SO bushels per acre. A number of small streams flow from 

 the mountains on either side, and aflbrd abundance of water for irriga- 

 tion wherever it is needed. About 3,000 acres are under cultivation at 

 the i^resent time, most of which has been tilled for the past six years, 

 and without missing a crop. Various fruit-trees have been set out, and 

 with entire success. In short, the soil and climate render this valley 

 most inviting to the emigrant seeking a place to build up a desirable 

 home. Its elevation is about 4,500 feet. 



Pneblo Valley, sixty-five miles northward of Winnemucca, is twenty- 

 six miles in length, and from ten to fifteen miles wide. The foot-hills 

 and surrounding mountains are covered with bunch-grass, while fine 



