Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-06-25

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Der of the purchasers have already located
in the valley. Systematic statement anc
publication Of more recent date has
aroused a wide spread interest in the
development OF the Pecos valley. Mr. g.
o. Shields tells me that he has already
on file letters, ETC., which announce the
probable coming in this ensuing fall OF at
least $500 additional settlers. The num-
Der on file ranges above 5000; the num-
Der expected is given above. These ex-
pected settlers are now, or will be, it is
anticipated, bona fide purchasers of land
and subsequently will become cultvators
thereof. One of the interesting facts con-
nected with the present development is
the presence in the valley of q number OF
Swiss farmers and families. The organi-
cation of this colony is mainly due to the
interest aroused bv Mr.. Greene's first
financial efforts in Europe. An agent of
the Swiss government visited the Pecos
valley and reported on the prospects
therein, before any encouragement was
extended to the emigrants. The Swiss
minister at Washington is in constant
correspondence and has been ever since
the first colonies arrived and is careful
inquirer in all matters relating TO their
welfare. There are some seventy families
and sufficient number OF unmarried
men to make total of over 200 The
average area of land in their possession is
about 100 acres each, all under ditch,
considerable acreage being at present in
good state of cultivation. From con-
versation recently had with the business
manager of these people learn that they
tnB 70 .l.
OF climate and surroundings. A
very few of the younger men who
are always restless express dis
satisfaction, yet but one or two have gone
away. The agents general view was
that in spite of an early bad season, cold |
this year in it's earlier months, the Swiss
colonists are progressing well and are
likely to become an important factor in
the growth of the valley. Other colonies
from the same country are expected.
During the year past, outside the opera
tions of Mr.. Greene, considerable effort
has been made by land owners and others
most heavily interested by cultivation OF
considerable areas to prove their faith in
the agricultural prospects of the valley.
The cost OF water service under company
operations is now put at $40 per acre for
royalty and Sl.25 per year for rental and
maintenance. No complaint has yet
arisen as to these terms. Tha same rates
exist under the upper or Hondo river
system. The neighborhood of Roswell
has shown the effect of the activity below,
and its farmers have been stimulated to
increase very greatly the area OF fruit
and general crops, until some 20, 900 acres
are now under cultivation in Chaves /
county. 1t is hardly necessary in the
New MEXICAN to restate the crop pros.
poets OF the Pecos valley, but aside from
fruit and grapes it will not be out Of place
to mention with emphasis that there are
two great crops promising large profits |
which are likely to be distinguishing j
features of cultivation. The first one is !
already and will continue to be the back
bone Of the general farmer. Alfalfa in
the Pecos valley will always pay largely.
A certainty that to the east and south
a great cattle range will always exist,
renders it as certain that the great forage
plant which feeds and fattens equally
with the best of corn will always com
mand great market at prices sure to be |
largely profitable. The other crop is one
of the future. | refer to q prospective
sugar beet industry. The experiments
made last season were very successful,
and the product obtained as analyzed by
the chemist of the Department of Agrcul-
ture, showed so large an amount OF
sacharne matter as to satisfy DR.. Wiley
and the producers also that the future of
the sugar beet in this valley is a most
promising one. But large plant is re-
quired, costing considerable money, and
large area must be brought under culti-
walton in order to secure the most sue
cessfu returns. 1t will be another year
or two before sugar beet and sorghum
culture will be inaugurated in the Rio
Pecos valley on large ecale. When It's,
it will be great success.