| i cies gig a hs cet SCS RCA ea ON tar iN dnc aA rei 153 CROFUTY’S NEW OVERLAND TOURIST These wells would hardly be noticed by | most of the settlers about the Wells, and to the traveler, unless his attention was called | the northward. to them. Nothing marks their presence| Leaving Humboldt Wells we proceed except the circle of rank grass around | down the valley for a few miles, when we them. When standing on the bank of one! enter the main valley of the Humboldt, of these curious springs you look on a still | one of the richest agricultural and ing surface of water, perhaps six or seven feet | valleys to be found in the State. The soil | across, and nearly round, no current dis-| isa deep, black loam, moist enough for all turbs it; it resembles a well more than a | purposes without irrigation, from 15 inches natural spring, and you look around to see | totwo feetdeep. This portion of the Hum- the dirt which was taken therefrom when | boldt extends for about 80 miles in length, the well was dug. The water, which is | with an average width of ten miles, near] slightly brackish, rises to the surface, seep-| every acre included therein being of qual- ing off through the loose, sandy loam soil | ity described. From Osino Canyon to the of the valley. No bottom has been found | head-waters of the valley is occupied by to these wells, and they have been sounded | settlers who have taken up hay ranches toa great depth. Undoubtedly they are| and stock ranges. The river abounds in the craters of volcanoes, long since extinct, | fish and the foot-hills with deer and other but which at one time threw up this vast ' game. body of lava of which the soil of Cedar; Tux Humsorpr Rrvzrrises in the Hum- Pass is largely composed. The whole face | boldt Mountains, northwest of Cedar Pass, of the country bears evidence of the mighty | and courses westerly for about 250 miles, change which has been taking place for | when it bends to the south, emptying into centuries. Lava in hard, rough blocks; | Humboldt Lake, about 50 miles from the lava decomposed and powdered; huge! Big Bend. Itis a rapid stream for most of blocks of granite and sandstone in the | the distance, possessing few fords or con- foot-hills, broken, shattered and thrown | veuient places for crossing. The railroad around in wild confusion, are some of the | follows down its northern bank until it signs indicative of an age when desolation | reaches Twelve-mile Canyon, about 16 reigned supreme. The valley in which | miles west of Carlin. Here it crosses to the wells are situated is about five miles | the south side of the river and continues long by three wide, covered with a luxuri-| about 170 miles, when it crosses again and ant growth of grass. It is excellent farm- leaves the river, skirting the foot-hills in ing land, capable of producing luxuriant full view of theriverandlake. crops of Son gay grain or grass. The; The main stream has many varieties of low hills afford an extensive “range” and; fish, and at certain seasons of the year its good grazing. The transition from the | waters are a great resort for wild ducks parched desert and barren upland to these | and geese. here it enters the lake the reen and well-watered valleys is so sud-/yolume of water is much less than it is 100 den that it seems like the work of magic. | miles above, owing to the aridity of the soil One moment in the midst of desolation, [through which it passes. Of the valleys the next in the midst of the green valleys | pordering it we shall speak separately, as redolent with the aroma of the countless | onthe division is totally distinct in its gen- flowers which deck their breasts. eral features. The “old emigrant road” Rich mineral discoveries have been| can be distinctly traced along: the river made about 35 or 40 miles southeast of | fom its head to its source. Wells—east of Clover Valley—in the John-| fyom Wells, continuing down grade, it son & Latham district. The veins are re-|3, 75 miles to ported large, well-defined, and rich in sil-|~ ygjasee—a small side -irack, five ver, copper and lead; large deposits of | ijes from iron ore have also been found. The dis- Bishop’s—This is another unimpor- trict is well supplied with wood and water, |;ant sidetrack, where Bishop’s Valley and easy of access from the railroad. A | nites with the Humboldt. This valley is stage runs through the district, extending | +9 miles long, with an average width of 100 miles south to Shellburn, near the old|fve miles. Itis very fertile, being watered overland stage road, in the Shellcreek by Bishop’s Creek, which rises in the Hum. mining district. A stage line is also in : : 7 Humboldt Canyon, ee iemntioe to the Bull Run district. boldt Mountains, near Hum y Stock-raising occupies the attention of through the valley. about 70 miles to the northeast, and winds | [ } naib ic tnt nana eae neta neni geen