Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-02-14
Tile pEIzE Essay.
Why ShJu!d the Agriculture and Hur-
ticui.arc Of the Arkansas Valley
Attract Immigration.
BY J. L. GAUGER.

by J. E. GAuGER.
There are three essential requirements
to make II success in agricultural or hor-
ticultural pursuits.
First. A soil of unquestioned fertility
to furnish nourishment.
Second. Proper climatic influences to
germinate and ripen.
Third. A ready sale for all products,
with good facilities for rapid transit to
market.
That the Arkansas Valley has the
| above requirements III the fullest sense
of the word shall now proceed to show.
The soil OF this valley is, princi-
pally, an alluvial, sandy loan, containing
all the essential elements for plant food.
Cereals of all kinds do remarkably well,
while vegetables in quality and quantity
can not be surpassed in any country.
Grasses and the different clovers grow to
perfection and yield enormously. Horti-
culture is success beyond the most san
guine expectations.
In making these statements the reader
will naturally inquire, "Why is it that
your soil is SO much more productive,
and the quality of the products SO far su-
perior to those of other countries having
the same kinds OF soil?"
The secret OF our remarkable success
may be told in one word. We depend
wholly upon irrigution to furnish the
necessary moisture for our crops. But
says one, "What is irriSation" Irriga-
ton is the artificial application of water
to the soil to furnish moisture for the
same.
"Bosh!' says another, "you folks are
cranks on irrigation. III stay in Gods
country where it rains" Kind reader,
are You aware that systematic irrigation
prodigously increases the fertility of soils?
In no small degree is tho application OF
water different from liquid manure. Not
only that the water contains vast
amount OF organic and mineral SUBJ
stances, but it must be borne in mind
that the mere abundance of water Qor a
certain length of time) is OF itself Of great
Importance in that places the most nu-
tritious substances OF tho soil in a soluble
condition for plant food that would 9TH
erwise be useless unless dissolved. 1 will
admit with you that nothing, in the way
of moisture, excells rain if properly ap-
piled and when wanted. But how often
do you see it when the ground becomes
dry and parched, the crops begin wither-
ing slowly but surely, the heat becomes
oppressive, the sky looks CLASSY and the
atmosphere seems like an oven. Finally,
what but few short weeks ago bid fair
for bountiful harvest nothing now re-
mains but dried and deadened field.
In your anxiety you cast your eye heav-
rain. Another picture-it is springtime
and the planting season is at hand. The
plowboy merrily whistles as he plows the
fallow field. But i'll tho distance q peal
of thunder is heard, small cloud makes
it's appearance on the horizon and gradu-
ally grows larger until the whole sky is
overcast. Rain begins to fall, slowly at
| first, but steadily increasing until it falls
in torrents. Day in and day out it rains.
The weed seeds begin terminating, and
how they do grow!-Jack's bean stalk is
no comparison. And still it rains. The
planting season is nearly over and it is
impossible to get into your fields. In
your anxiety you cast your eyes heaven
ward and wish, oh how fervently, for it
to quit raining. Now how is it with us
under irrigation? Simply this, when our
crops need water we turn it on, when
they have enough we shut it off.
Now then, in connection with this plant
food, above referred to, what is the next
requisite to the successful growth Of
crops? 1t is sunshine, to furnish the
necessary warmth to the soil to germin-
ate tho seeds and cause them to grow.
Colorado is noted for the number Of its
| sunshiny days in each year, and espec-
tally the Arkansas Valley which has u
mean annual temperature Of 81 degrees
with 307 sunshiny days in each year.
And this, in connection with our unlim-
tied water supply, with judicious appli-
cation OF tho same, will make our valley
blossom as the rose.
For our market, we point with pride to
Denver, the queen city of the plains and
the pride of every true Coloradoan,
which furnishes us market equal to
Kansas City or Chicago. Besides we
have the constantly growing mountain
cities and towns to supply. Towns and
cities spring up as if by magic, in our
mining districts, thus ever increasing tho
demand for our products. With the A.
Z. & S. F. and the Mo. P. railroads pass
ing direct connection ut Pueblo with the
d. & r. G.. and the Denver and Gull,
and with deep water harbors on the gulf
in the near future, we are nearer market
than vast number OF people in tho GEN.
trail states. But remember he is farthest
from market who has nothing to sell.
And now to those who contemplate
change OF place we would say, como and
see for yourselves ere you locate else
where. We have good schools and intel
igent society, while for health we defy
the world to show less mortality.
Agricultural lands range in price from
the homestead right to improved farms at
800 per acre, while improved horticul-
tural lands range from S1CO to 81 $50 per
acre.
To the manufacturer we would say
that we have unlimited water power ia
cilities, together with cheap fuel and an
abundance of raw material Of various
kinds, with class OF people in the valley
who will give you all proper encourage
ment, recognizing as they do, that agri-
culture and manufacturing, to q certain
extent, go together, the success of one
depending upon the prosperity of the
other.
And now, in conclusion, we would
again say, come and see for yourselves,
for we know that, like the Queen of Sheba,
you will say ''the half has not been told"
Card of Thanks.
Headquarters wadsworth Post, No % G. A. H. |
AT tho regular meeting held Friday, !
Feb. Sth, the following resolution VISA
adopted.
RESOLVED, That we as members of the |
Wadsworth Post do most heartily extend |
our thanks to the G. 1. F. F. Dramatic