 The area in the Amargosa Valley around Leeland was suitable for agriculture, since enough ground water, that could be easily pumped to the surface by wells, was available.In Leeland itself, employees of the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad grew vegetables and grains in their backyards on a small scale.The railway company wanted to increase its profit and reasoned that if homesteaders would settle in the Amargosa Valley they would transport their products by train.