Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1896-07-02
in THE PECOS VALLEY.
Lewis p. Wilson's Hopeful View Of
Its Future-On to Washburn-
Home Seekers Attractions.

Says the Ell Paso Times: Mr.. Lewis P.
Wilson, who is getting out the mammoth
special edition of the Santa Fe New MEX
loan and reviewing the commercial and
industrial development in New Mexico in
the interest of immigration, arrived here
yesterday from two weeks sojourn in
the Pecos valley, and is registered at the
| st. Charles.
In an interview with Mr.. Wilson some
interesting facts were CLEANED relative to
this section of the territory which is just
now attracting the attention of home
seekers and investors all over the country.
Mr.. Wilson says that while the lack of
rain has caused the surface of the ground
to parch in some sections yet the crops
have not been affected to any appreciable
extent, and the farmers look forward to
an abundant harvest. The season has
been good one for alfalfa, stock looks
well, and, excepting the early frost which
played sad havoc with peaches in some
parts of the valley, the year will be a good
one for fruit. Continuing, Mr.. Wilson
said:
The attention of the home-builder OF
the Pecos valley is just at the present
centered upon two projects of infinitely
greater Importance than any yet put for
ward for the consideration Of the valley
/ people.
These projects while not particularly
new, have been pushed to the front of
late, and their contamination will mean
great deal for the Pecos valley, marking
an erea In the history of the develop
ment of this rich section, so we'll favored
by nature, and destined IN my opinion to
become tine garden spot of the territory.
I refer to the railroad extension and to
the sugar beet industry. The extension
of the Pecos Valley railroad from the
present terminus at Roswell on to Wash
burn, Texas, there to connect with the
Santa Fe, is now looked upon as assured.
1t is not necessary to explain the advant-
ages of this connection, which will result
about equally to New Mexico and Texas.
They are fully apparent to any one who
will stop to consider the fact that this
connection will open up for agriculture
one of the most fertile sections in the
southwest, section, too, where water 10
abundance can be had at depth of 200
feet to say nothing of the possibilities of
irrigation, for which nature has furnished
ample facilities in the way of numerous
rivers, streams and mountain springs
practically inexhaustible in the supply.
This line can be built and equipped
according to conservative estimates at
about $2,00O,OOO. That the Santa Fe peo-
pie recognize the desirability of the con-
nection is evidenced by the fact that a
survey has already been made, and sew
eral schemes discussed looking to its
construction. Mr.. Ripley, president of
the Santa Fe system, recently spent two
days in Roswell looking over the ground
and sizing up the proposition generally.
few hours prior to his departure he
made statement to prominent bank
official of that town which am not per-
mitted to report, but which means that
the "missing link" will soon be under
way.
Now as to the beet industry. This is
no longer an experiment with the Pecos
valley people. 1t has been demonstrated
that the crop can be raised at handsome
profit. The soil and climate are especial
ly adapted for sugar beet culture, and
recent analysis shows that the beets raised
here contain larger per cent of sugar
than those produced in any other section
Of the country. Work on the new factory
at Eddy is being pushed rapidly, and the
mill will be opened for operation about
October l. 1t has capacity of 225 tons
daily and it's opening will give the indus
try an impetus in the valley that will
mean q great deal for it's future. Reoog.
nizing its Importance the people are
every where enthusiastic for the success
of the project, which seems assured.
In my opinion the Pecos valley is 60
ing to develop into a fruit section rivaled
only by California. Everything seems
favorable for such development and all
kinds of fruit, the lemon and orange
alone excepted, can be produced here as
we'll as in California. Pecos valley apples
are of much better flavor than those
raised in California, and this holds good
with many other kinds Of fruit. The loss
of fruit trees Is very small in the young
orchards. One man set out 1000 winter
apple trees two years ago and has lost up
to date only four trees. At the Hager-
man ranch we picked as fine ripe peaches
as have ever seen in California, New
Jersey or anywhere else.
On the whole the outlook for Pecos
valley 10 bright, and to-day it offers to
the home seeker, investor or laborer, bet
ter opportunities than any locality that
has come under my observation during
five years of almost constant travel.