Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-08-09

IpS lue hospitality sAohA- " LAT
ne and his party had seen that day
proved what could he done on the
arid plains of Colorado. All had
heard of Rocky Ford, but associ-
ated the name with big watermel-
ons. The experiences of the day
had proved that the melon indus
try was but very small portion
of the vast agricultural interests
of the valley. A good story was
told which was very compliment
ary to Rocky Ford's attractive
ness to farmers.
A hearty vote of thanks, passed
at special meeting of the Irriga-
ton Association, was then
read.
Senator Swink was called on and
said that all the substantial prog
ress which the visitors had seen
had been made within the past six
or seven years. We lack willing
labor to cultivate our large farms.
The agriculture and horticulture
of the valley is yet in its infancy.
You have seen that we can grow
almost anything. We regret that
your stay is SO short as we have
very much yet to show you.
Geo. Shelton, of Goodland, said
that he had heard big stories of
the Rocky Ford country, but he
was forced to repeat the Queen Of
Sheba's remark to King Solomon.
He was sorry the watermelons
were not ripe as not one would be
raised in his country and his folks
were not able to buy this year.
From what We have seen to-day
we have determined to lrrigate our
farms, and if we fail to do SO, will
know where we can come to find a
ready-made country.
w. II. Proctor, of Goodland,
said that the hardships which
all pioneers underwent made a
cord of sympathy which explained
portion of the welcome they had
received in Rocky Ford. He be-
lieved that all of the vast arid and
semi-arid region was designed by
the Creator for the use of man,
and that in some way it would be
brought under cultivation. If we
fail to irrigate we'll know where
to come.
Senator Swink said that he re-
greeted that the reception COM
mittee had not been more fully in
formed as to the transportation of
our guests, that their reception
might have been been different.
He suppose they would come in a
Pullman and perhaps have a din
ing car attached. (The idea of
farmers from that section of Kan
sas luxuriating in q sleeper and
dining car excited much merri-
ment among the banqueters.) The
Senator asked the guests to come
to the Fair and Watermelon Day
and they would see more than they
had any idea of.
Hon. J. Fl. Crowley's request to
the visitors to have Kansas follow
Colorado's example as to woman
suffrage elected tremendous ap-
plause.
The ENTERPRISES speech on the
occasion would have been as fol-
lows:
The metropolis of the famous
watermelon region extends hearty
welcome to our Kansas visitors.
We are glad of the opportunity of
entertaining you. We love Kan
sas for several reasons. There is
nothing dull or insipid about the
Sunfower State. The breezes
which ever fan her fertile plains
give the air purity, ozone and snap.
And her politics are breezy.
There are no such stagnant pools
as make solid South, but free
lance independence in thought and
action which keeps things lively
and makes ruts an impossible
condition in Kansas political high
ways. Kansas is noted for its uni
versal enterprise, its immeasure-
able agricultural resources, the in
telligence of its people and its op-
position to the liquor traffic. You
have great state with grand
future, but some portions resem-
BILE our loved Colorado in the
fact that the Creator has not yet
finished it for mans use. It has
the soil and sunshine but lacks the
water. r. With that supplied, either
by natural rains, irrigating bitches
or artesian wells the now neglected
but fertile zone lying on either
side of the Kansas Colorado state
line can feed the world. That re-
gion has all the elements of the
most exuberant fertility except one.
1t lacks only a regular supply
of moisture to be one of the most
desirable farming sections in the
entire west.
The region adjacent to Rocky
Ford shows what can be done by
intelligent irrigation under favor
able circumstances, We can grow
a greater variety of grains, fruits
and vegetables than any other To-