The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-04-14
NEW MzxTco.
Ons of the vxlieys of tke Rio esrsud ca
Garden SPOT Its FRUITS, Minerals
and Osher Descrrsfious,

SxSTA FE. n. Mex, April s.[The princi.
raj portion of the letter will b. devoted to
description of one OF the VALLEYS of the R;o
Grande. From Ell Passo. Tex, up to Bio
Grande Bel Norte, for eixty.ive or seventy
miles, i5 situate one OF the garden spots of
the earth. This valley is from six to seven
miles wide. and in soil and climete is all
that any one could wish. The elevation
above sea level is something over 3. Oa5 feet
ensuriDg a pure and healthy atmosphere
The Rio GraEde winds through the valley
with fall of four or five feet to the mile.
which furnishes an abundance of water for
IRRIGATION. TIE occasional oYerfiows bring
from the, upper valleys and mountains q
deposit that adds to its fertility. Wheat
barley and corn all grow iuxuriantly. The
wheat is heavy berried and often weighs
siXty-fye pounds ynd upward to the bushei
1t Is sown from November to Februsry and
harvested from June to July. Corn is planted
in May and June and sometimes in July
after the wheat has been harvested, beans,
melons, sweet-potat0es, sorghum, broom
corn peanuts, onions and almost all kinds
OF vegetables may be raised in abundance
1t may be said that New Mexico can outriyaI
the world in the production OF
o-ficnh The large silver onions often weigh
ing nom three to four pounds and |
hare been told by those who use them that
they are very sweet ! suppose an onion
lover may understand how this NAV be-
There can be no mistake. however, as to
their size snd fine appearance.
But the greatest and best productions of
this valley Is fruits 1t is safe 60 saw that
in variety and quality, no spot in the United
States can surpasS, ii it can equal it, APP.
pies pears. peaches, almonds, figs and grapes
all grow in abundance, re. "a enormous pro-
portions. and are rich and luscious. The
M'ssills Valley, or Mission grapes. are extern
sively and fsvorably known. Large quanti-
ties were shipped East last last year, socle
going to Chicago Many ere manufactured
into wine, ard a superior article is produced
Ii can be bought as low as twenty-five cents
per gallon at the place of manufacture.
Fruit is seldo1a injured by frosts. The
mercury seldom reaches zero; ice over
half-inch tbiok Is almost UNKNOWN. and
snow is a curiosity. There is Just about cold
weather enough to Kill the flies, mosquitoes
and other annoying insects. Grasses. both
wild and tame, grow lUxuriantly. Where
the range can be had live stock do well all
the year without any other feed, and no
shelter is needed. A grass called alfalfa,
species of clover, is much grown for stock,
furnishing grazing and hay. Ii is well
adapted to the sod and climate, producing
from three to four crops in one year heavy
growth. Ten acres of this land will produce
more, if rightly cultivated, than forty in
some OF the Northern and Eastern States.
The climate permits outdoor labor almost
the entire year. Good water can be had
by sinking wells to the depth of twenty-five
feet. This valley is bOrdered on each side by
mountains and high table lands. The At
cnison, Topeka and Santa Re Railroad passes
down the valley to I'll Pas0. Las Cruises is
the couRty-seat of Dona Ana County, in
which the valley is-situate. This town con-
tains about 1000 inhabitants, is 300 miles
south OF this city, and forty miles north OF
Fl Paso. 1t may here be remarked that the
indications are that FL Paso is going to be
the leading city of this Southwestern cOun-
try. Its location, railroad facilities and other
advantages seem bound to make ii so. II is
the gateway between old Mexico and the
United States. 1t now has direct rail com-
munlcation with San Francisco, New Or
leans, Galveston. st. Louis and the City OF
Mexico, and indirectly with all other por-
tons OF the country and it is now reaching
out into the undersigned portions of the sur
rounding country. Its position and adva u
tages will give 1t the trade OF Western Texas,
Southern New Mexico and Arizona, and the
northern portion of old Mexico. 1t now pos
sesses population OF l.. 600 and is rapidly
increasing. The climate in winter is admi-
rable, and while for short time in summer
it may be quite warm, vet the surrounding
mountains afford near and pleasant retreats,
although it is no warmer there than in
Northern Texas generally. This city will
furnish a near ana profitable mar
ket for the products of the
Messilla valley. A large por-
ton of the southern and western portions OF
this Territory is constituted of vallies, if not
so extensive and fine as the one described,
yet susceptible of high state of cultivation.
Surrounding these Fallies are mountains
filed with rich minerals, and in many places
are being extensively developed. No place
furnishes more inviting prospect to those
seeking new homes With small capital
in money and large one In industry, enter
prise and stlcK-to-it-lVeneSs, success must be
the reward of any who desires to engage in
tickling the soil until it blossoms like the
rose
A discovery Of petroleum has lately been
added to the other resources of the Territory.
1t seems that an old man some two years ago
with more confidence than means, located
claim near a foul-smelling spring about
thIrty-fve miles southwest of here. During
the past winter he interested some parties
here and on sinking twO-inch pipe fifty.hye
feet flow of Oh and water was obtained that
furnished two barrels OF oil per day. A rush
TO the locality at once set in and many claims
taken up. Organization has been perfected
and deep test well is 10 be made at once.
Experienced oil men say that the indications
of an extensive deposit are good, and that
the oil obtained is fine lubricant. Ii it be
true it will prove of great benefit to the
country. Time alone can determine the
correctness of these surmises.
The cool atmosphere still fingers around us
here. The air from the snow-coveTed noun
tains near by chills the warm sunshine.
New Corporations.
Henry II. Porter, who purchased the Chi