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upr000013-044
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    is found from 60 to 80 feet in depth and at this time it is ih unsolved problem as to the amount that can be pumped, profitably. The U. S> Geological Survey have had a man in the val ley checking up the wells, their depth, temperature, sise and flow. They are making an underground profile which is in charge of Mr. Carpenter of the TJ. S. Geological Survey at Washington P. C. Under cultivation at this point are close to 400 acres mostly in the first stages of development. Of this, the ”Clark-Ronnow Ranch” have 50 acres in alfalfa, being the only property far enough advanced to make records or comparisons for the future. Their three year-old alfalfa stand of 50 acres cut this Spring, first cutting 55 tons afed at this time is ready for the second cutting. One of the tests that has been made was made by A. L, J. Clark on a soil that is a gypsum bed of a granular character, which land has been condemned by many and it is showing the most vigorous growth of grapes better than some on better soil. I refer to this instance as more than 75,000 acres of our lands of this valley come under this class. The South Nevada Land & Development Company have set out this Spring, on our ranch a part of which is under lease to them, 800,000 grape cuttings which will be transplanted Uhis Fall and will make a good 100 acre vineyard. These are mostly the Tokay and Thompson seedless. In this valley there are a number of problems that should be solved as to its soil, which is spotted and varies greatly in texture, and chemical conditions, and if pressure could be brought to bear on the U. S. Soil Sur­vey to have a soil survey made of the Vegas Valley, it would be very profitable, as many mistakes that are costly are being made from not having proper knowledge of the soil being put under cultivation. The source and origin of the waters of this valley are still a question that is subject of guess. The most successful wells so far drilled are on the lands that slope from the Spring Mountain range from the West of this Valley and should our source be from this point, it is a question as to its quantity, but if it should come from the underground waters from the Sink of the Humboldt, Car- son and Walker sinks, as many engineers think, the supply will not be exhausted. I have not confined myself to the subject proper that your letter refers to and my reason for not so doing is that all the conditions that I have gone into (and some that I have not) have, I believe their bearing on the future tonnage, traffic, population and prosperity of both this valley (Las Vegas) and the two railroads that enter it from both directions. The progress that was made in the last year has been greater than that of the seven years before and the future will or should be along the same lines of advancement, If I can give you any further information, please write me. s truly, (signed) Walter R. Bracken. Incl.