New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-25
CO.NMENCING ANEW.

PULLING UP STAKES AFTER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
IN DRIVING THEM-THE FIRST PLANTING
IRRIGATION THE BLESSINGS AND DIsCOM-
FORTS OF A SIIOWER-BUILDING A HOUSE
OF SUN-BURNED BRICK.
GREELEY, Colorado, July 10. - Among the
hundreds now this prairie valley about Onethrd have
been through the labors of making comfortable
homes; another third have fairly commenced and the
remaining third young men who have every thing to
learn but who think they almost through learning
Leaving good house and nice surroundings. was
thrown here the 10th Of Jne. to take new start
in the world just az when more tan rs years ago. the
goods of us two loaded in onehorse wagon, and
not overloaded, that, in place we might build
up good home Of 1t took many years, through
poverty sickness, lawsuits. and all sorts of Universities
Iahoring faithfully during more than Is years with an
average gain not exceeding 10 cents day, we still were
never discouraged AT last good home and spare bed
acqured but all left by the shining shore, and
we seek to build new home here.
The clutch on those dimes, however became strong,
and when in the Of events dollars could be seized
they too were held with such grasp that in building
the new home there Government per cents 10
draw upon, by Of which the prairie sod breaks
easier greater variety of crops starts simultaneously,
carpenters and masons come more readily and the table
Is bounty spread than the case in those ten
cent days. I see that when used to imagine how
much could do if should give me thousand
dollars il could not have been my money nor would II
have done me any good and that while was earning
dime was laying up within myself qualities OF an eco
nomc character worth many dimes, which 10 losses can
take away. "The Arabian Nights" is entertaining
enough and many OF its wonders are. since modern
science has done much, 10 longer wonders; but II
makes great mistake in describing good houses hav
ing been built in single night, for find it cannot be
done, no matter bow much money one may expend.
The first thing in the way Of cultivationiwas TO plow
up my acre lot and TO plant part in potatoes but the
surface rough the irgatng ditch was but recently
completed and the supply Of water rather uncertain
The soil was something dier and duster than the driest
ashes making the prospect for potatoes, saying nothing
about other vegetables far from brilliant. However,
water was let upon the ground and it soaked slowly but
as only the lower parts Of the ground touched
seemed question how anything could be done 1t be-
gan TO be suspected that irrigation might answer on
small pieces of well prepared ground but a. TO raising
crops by the acre. il looked uncertain and the WHOLE
blue Walking half mile several times day from the
temporary residence in town. sOcalled, out TO the lot
made burden that could not he borne. Accordingly,
il was decided into the country. shanty, 28X
H. was built the carload of household goods coming
the household was established but such a pring and
chesng Of boxes and furniture, and such crampng ex
pedens as resortcd to- made household arrange
ments something like those of a regiment with its bag
gage the time when it is uncertain whether it will
march or 90 into camp Some Of colOnist5 have
GREETED that did not select location further south
but Judge that by this time they will call it hot enough,
in balmy Arkansas. At times Of afternoon we have
winds which blow the dust in clouds, and scatter the
loose roofing, but they DO not lastlong.
Being placed IN our long, rough shanty, rcation could
be studied at better advantage The water was cOaxed
up the ridges until at last, the whole patch was
thoroughly watered, and it looked promising. Rather
late you viii say for farming and gardening the
prairie IL near June 20; but there was time TO
give the country, which have said is miserable,
chance for itself Peas onions, berries, &C.
planted though not until narrowing, and blowing,
and furrowiug had been done, when the water
found more tractabe. In about two weeks tie potatoes
began appear through the cods and at this date they
are wei above ground, and looking extremely well.
CucumDcIs are IN the rough leaves; peas have been
poed, and the Farmers Club sweet is ten inches
high Have kept the water running this acre for
more than three weeks, night and day. We want to
know great deal more about irrigation, and We shall
start "A young Farmers Club in which to discuss our
rural affairs II manifest that the ground should have
water ia the Spring, and that IL should De moist before
planting is done After few years much less water is
required than at first. visited Mr. PERKINS, fruit farm
near Denver and found strawberries which had not been
watered this year. and the crop eXcced anything had
ever done indeed ii much above high average. In
some fields water TO spread 10 great distance, In
Others il directly through without spreading. II Is
customary plow ground for potatoes IN the Fall and to
have IL wet enough, and not 10 apply water after the
ground is planted The evidence Is that the people Of
the country are growing enormous crops Of grain and
vegetables Iplefer TO see with my own eyes whether
these things are true or not. wherever water has been
opnlcd md the soil in r. fine, moist condition, and am
~ n would do farmers heart good 10 put hs hoe In.
i,fs 40 loose end mellow, like that Of tie oil pe.ted
carccns Of New England IlcA VII manure applied ior