The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-05-29
THE GROWING SOUTH.
In and About Silver Reef

Editors Herald:
The pro,pecr for Dixie is much
brighter than it was last fall. There
have been so many dry seasons here
of late years that our farmers were
becoming disheartened. Their crops
were so small on account of the
scarcity Of water that many found
it difficult to make ends eet. But
thanks to the abundant storms of
the past winter, the prospect for
this season is much brighter.
Not only Is the season favorable
to agriculture On account of the
abundant water supply. but the
spring has been especially favor
able to the growth OF fruit. The
late spring kept the fruit back
considerably longer than ususl; but
when the frost did leave us, it did
not return to take off the blossoms
and nip the infant ffuit. We ex.
pect apricots, apples, pears, peaches
and grapes in abundance, not to
mention the numerous other fruits
that make their home IN the sunny
south"
The first cutting of Iucern for
the season is now being gathered.
This reminds Us Of the fact that
much of last seasons crop remains
unsOli. The surplus of the present
season is likely to be- even greater
than that of the last, unless some
ch I'M
are two reasons for this: First, the
decline of Silver Reef, which af-
forded an excellent market for
the hay; and 81 cond, over pro-
duction, which Is the result of every.
body rushing into the business.
Those who first raisf lucern TO any
great extent real z d such handsome
profits that hers inflicted 'eirex-
ample. When hay ] at $40 to
$50 per ton, and four CT Eve cuttings
were obtained every 81 SOD, it is
evident that the profits OF the far
mer were not to he despised. Such
pr ces, o. course, could not long pre-
vail, as hay railing was more re.
munerative than any Other branch
OF farming, all available land was
converted into hay land. Over pro-
duction @onld naturally be the re>
suit. To add to this embarrassment
just at this juncture Silver Reef be
gan to wsne. Since that the price
Of hay has been steadily falling, IN.
til now it is almost impossible to
dispose Of it at any price
The excitement over the mines in
the Tutsagubet District has abated
some OF late. We understand,
however, that work on some of
them is being prosecuted, and that
preparations are being made for
the erection of a smelter. Should
theee mint amount to anything,
our good farmers may yet find
market for their produce. We sin
cerely hope so.
The Stormont mill is the only one
that has been running in Silver
Reef during the past winter. Some
trouble in the Christy company
caused that mill to be closed last
fall, much to the sorroW Of the
Refers. The difficulties sre now
said to be nearly settled, and it is
confidently asserted that the mill
will resume operations at no distant
date. The stockmen OF Southern
Utah Chose who have not lost their
stock by the winter stOrms) are now
smiling complacently over the pros
pect Of a very propitious season.
The grass, which is often stunted
on account of the drouth, will this
year attain q luxuriant growth.
Thus the ranges, which have been
deteriorating for some time past,
may now retrieve their former con-
dition and give new impetus to the
stockraising industry.
The apiarists this spring, are also
particularly happy. The profusion,
of wild flowers has given the bees
something on which to work. The
result is all but magical. The little
workers are thriving beyond the
expectation of their owners; not
only gathering ht ney in abundance,
but also increasing in numbers very
rapidly. In st. George one apiarist
alone has made over seventy new
stands-part OF them were made by
dividing, but more by taking in the
swarms that had lefs the older
hives. J. T. w.