Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/475

NEVADA. the strata during the Jurassic Age, which brought to the surface rocks ranging from the Jurassic down to the Archæan system. Some are composed of granite, syenite, porphyry, and slate, while in others limestone and calcareous spar predominate. Although some recent uplifts in the northwest are still almost unmodified, the topography of the majority of the ranges is probably due more to erosion than to the original fractures and folds. The valleys are filled with deep layers of Quaternary detritus. Volcanic rocks occur as intrusions in various places, and in the northwestern part of the State there are extensive lava fields, while other evidences of volcanic action, such as hot springs and sulphur deposits, also exist.

Besides silver and gold (see paragraph Mining) the minerals found within the State include antimony, lead, copper, mercury, and nickel, as well as sulphur, gypsum, and extensive deposits of salt and borax, the last found on the alkali flats and in beds of dry lakes.

. Nevada owed her early development to mining. Immensely rich lodes of silver and gold were discovered, one of which—the (q.v.)—produced as high as $38,000,000 worth of bullion in one year. With the apparent exhaustion of the Comstock lode, the industry decreased considerably. The output of silver continued to decrease until 1899, when the product was valued at $1,090,457. Gold, however, revived during the last decade, the output for 1899 being valued at $2,219,000—more than double that of 1893. Copper, lead, and iron ore are also mined. No coal has been mined since 1894. The rich mineral resources of the State afford a valuable field for future development.

. Agriculture is less developed in Nevada than in any other State. It is the most arid of the States and at the same time contains the most meagre sources for an artificial water supply. The lack of transportation facilities and of local markets retards the development of such possibilities as exist. In 1899, 504,168 acres, or 88 per cent. of the total improved area, were irrigated. The most extensive irrigated areas are along the Humboldt River and in the west-central part of the State. There are altogether 2,505,647 acres, or 3.7 per cent. of the State's area, included in farms. The industry centres about stock-grazing, the tilling of the soil being a mere adjunct to it. The animal products, together with the hay and forage and other products fed to live stock, comprise 80.6 per cent. of the total value of farm products. During the last decade of the century there was a large increase in all varieties of domestic animals. Cattle and sheep are of the greatest importance. Stock-raising being so prominent, hay and forage are naturally the most important of the crops grown. In 1899 there were 292,134 acres devoted to them, or 71.6 per cent. of the total crop area. Alfalfa constituted about one-third of this acreage. In the same year there were 18,537 acres devoted to wheat, 7043 to barley, 4786 to oats, and 2235 to potatoes. The wheat area increased five fold during the decade.

The soil is of great fertility and produces abundantly when sufficiently watered. The following table shows the relative importance and increase of the different varieties of domestic animals for the decade 1890-1900:

. The manufacturing establishments are chiefly of a domestic nature, producing and repairing articles for local consumption. Car repair shops and flour and grist milling employ the greatest capital. The total capital of all manufacturing industries is less than $1,500,000.

. There has been little inducement to railroad construction in Nevada. For several years the mileage has been about 920 miles. In proportion to the area of the State the mileage is less than that of any other State. The principal line is the Southern Pacific, running from east to west through the State. There are no navigable streams.

. A national bank was organized in 1866, but soon closed. The First National Bank of Winnemucca, organized in 1886, is the only national bank in the State at present. In 1902 its capital was $82,000; surplus, $10,000; deposits aggregated $511,000 and loans $378,000. In 1902 there were two State banks. The State banking law of 1891 is very lax. The two State banks had a capital of $300,000; surplus $100,000; cash, $127,000; deposits, $1,579,000; and loans, $1,007,000. Most of the banking is done by agencies of California banks.

. On admission to Statehood, in 1864, Nevada had a public debt of $400,000, which in the following decade grew to $738,528. This debt was in 9 and even 10 per cent. bonds, and was caused by the extravagant salaries paid to officials. The income of the State was derived partly from a tax on property, partly from a special tax on the proceeds of the silver mines. The income from this special tax grew rapidly with the output of the mines; in 1874 it amounted to 28 per cent. of the total receipts of the State treasury, and in 1878 to 50 per cent., or about $250,000. The output of the mines rapidly declined in the eighties, and with it the income of the treasury. The total debt in 1900 was $676,709, out of which $380,000 are irredeemable, and only the payment of interest obligatory. The State held in trust for the educational funds $1,529,652, which cannot be applied to payment of debts. The receipts in 1900 were $510,608, half of which came from a general property tax. and 30 per cent. from payments on land and interest on land payment. The expenditures were $533,402, 25 per cent. of which was for school purposes, and 25 per cent. for purchase of bonds for the school fund.

. The falling off in the mining industry of the State, and failure to develop in other directions, have resulted in a diminution of the population. It now has the fewest inhabitants of any State, and is the only one in which a decrease is taking place. The following are the figures by decades: 1860, 6857; 1870, 42,491; 1880, 62,266; 1890, 45,761; 1900, 42,335. The largest towns are: Reno, population, in 1890, 3563; in 1900, 4500; Virginia City, population, in 1890, 8511; in 1900, 2695; Carson City, the capital, population, in 1890, 3950; in 1900, 2100.