The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-06-16
ALBUQUERQUE, N. NJ, May 81, 81.

AAADSSONAtSOG3 49, NN3 -N"J ~1 49,
Any man in middle age today can
remember the time when it was gen
orally believed that California and
Colorado would never be able to pro-
duce anything but silver and gold, and
that all the men engaged in mining in
those States would have to be fed by
other portions Of the country; but
California to-day exports O wheat
than any other State in the Union,
while her fruits, fresh and canned, are
known around the world; and Colo
RADIO is not much behind her older
sister on the Pacific; already she is not
only self sustaining, but has for ship
ment abroad a large annual surplus of
wheat. which ranks with the best in
the markets of the world, while her
potatoes, which r unsurpassed, now
supply the whole Southwest. And
there is nothing in the natural con-
ditions to prevent the experience of
these two States from being repeated
in New Mexico, the extent at least of
feeding her own people; the elements
of climate and soil r essentially the
same-the difference, where any exists,
being in favor of New Mexico. The
climate is milder than that of Colorado,
and as compared with that of Cali
fornia is superior in all essential re-
spects for the growing of every product
except the semi-tropical fruits-while
the power of the soil is practically
unlimited. The two great States named,
when in a condition of nature, were as
barren and unproductiveas any other
section Of what we call the "arid
regions" and all the munificence of
their present productiveness is due
entirely to irrigation. If certain por-
tions of the desert can be thus made to
blossom as the rose, will not the same
means applied to other sections pro-
duce the same results? Who, then,
will assume to set a limit to the count
less millions of bushels of grains and
fruits which a general and intelligent
system of irrigation will some time
produce upon the now barren plains of
the great Southwest, or to the sum
which such products will annually
add to the aggregate wealth of the
nation. If the man who causes two
blades Of grass to grow where but one
grew before is a public benefactcr, by
what name shall we characterize a
system which shall cause the food sup
ply of a nation to grow upon land on
which only cactus and sage brush have
grown before?
AS an illustration Of what irrigation
can accomplish for an otherwise barren
region, it is only necessary to look at
the valley of the Rio Grande. For
nearly three centuries this valley has
been known as the garden of New
Mexico. Long before the first Ameri-
can immigrant set foot upon it's soil
this country was celebrated among the
Spanish natives of the territory for the
fertility of it's lands and beauty of it's
climate; it's luscious fruits and its
unsurpassed vegetables were carried
into all the neighboring districts, while
it's genial and sunny climate caused it
to be sought as a winter resort by the
wealthier classes, who came here in
large numbers from hundreds of miles
around, to enjoy the bright skies and
mild atmosphere which here constitute
the rule throughout the winter season.
And the example which was thus set
by our Spanish predecessors has been
wisely followed by the Americans, and
the comforts and benefits of the delight
full winter climate of this lovely valley