Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-05-08
THE Rio GRANDE VALLEY
One of the Most Promising Sections
in the Territory of New
Mexico.
BELEN, A LIVELY BUSINESS CENTEI
1t Seems Probable That This Section
Will Become the Site of the Second
Beet Sugar Factory in the Ter
ritory, In Which Industry
People Are Manifesting
Much Interest.

Special Correspondence New Mexican
Belen, May Z, 1897.--It is to be regret
ted that the passenger trains on the SAINT
+ Fe road do not run through this part o
the Rio Grande valley In daytime. From
Albuquerque south to San Marcial i
found one of the most inviting sections o
, the territory. The Rio Grande water
this part of New Mexico, and with th
network of bitches in use makes the entir,
valley green and productive. On eithe
side of the road are orchards and vine
yards and fields, which, at this time of tht
year, show the possibilities of New Mex
ico's soil when properly irrigated. But o.
this the traveller sees nothing. Darkness
and somnalence cover it all whe1
the trains pass through this perfect gar
den. First impressions are the most last
ing, and the good effect of green fields
prolific orchards and beautiful vineyards
are lost by night-trip through the best
part of the great valley that divides the
territory from north to south.
THE RICH sELEN COUNTRY.
The country surrounding Belen is the
richest of the entire valley. Here are
grown in their greatest perfection wheat
and fruits of all kinds, and in the country
which has for its center the town of Belen
are the greatest possibilities for the de-
velopment of agriculture and kindred in
dustries in the territory. The valley is
wide, water is plentiful, while the popu-
lation is comparatively sparce. Gould
northern and western farmers, with their
advanced ideas and methods of oultiva.
tion, be induced--be made to realize the
future of the Rio Grande valley-to settle
here, no spot in the United States could
equal it for productiveness and comfort.
Climatic conditions are all that could be
asked, good markets for grains, fruit, cat
tie and wool are right at hand, and every
thing needed to make life worth the liv-
ing has been supplied by nature. In all
my travels, and have seen a good deal
of country, have never visited locality
that impressed me with its possibilities
IN an Agricultural and horticultural region,
as the Rio Grande valley between Albu-
| querque and San Marcial said in
letter few days since that my one fail
| ing was to become enamored of one place
or locality after another, but in that
was looking more to the picturesque than
the practical. Now Am viewing condi
tions solely from the bread and butter
standpoint scenery and grandeur are all
right in their place, but they do not pay
grocery bills on the first OF the month.
On the map Belen is place of minor i'm
| mt I> Ind. nf 70 Ina
as business point from that. Let me
tell what have found here.
THE BELEN ROLLER MILLS.
In the first place the Belen roller mill
should be mentioned. This plant is
owned and operated by Mr.. John Becker,
and is model institution. Equipped with
a complete roller system of fire breaks,
cleaning machinery, and an abundance of
power and the mill turns out 80 barrels of
patent flour every day, which finds a
ready sale, the larger part right at the
mill. The mill runs entirely on home
grown wheat, and in IL month converts
71,000 bushels of grain into breadstuff.
JOHN BEcKER's BUSINESS.
In addition to the mill Mr.. Becker car
ries on one of the largest wholesale and
retail merchandise business in the terri
tory. His stock comprises almost every
thing that can be thought of from sew
ing needle to four-horse wagon, and the
trade embraces SCOPE of country of
miles and miles in extent. The wool
season opens in dead earnest and then
Mr.. Becker's force OF clerks will "get
move on" Every year about 30 carloads
of wool are bought, packed and shipped,
and that means work, and lots of ii.
Mr.. Becker is public spirited, pro-
gressive man, and to him the town and
surrounding country owe much of the
prosperity enjoyed. As a matter of course
he is in business for his own benefit, but
at the same time he recognizes that the
only way by which he can prosper ls for
the people of the community to enjoy
prosperity, and he does all he can to
bring about conditions which insure
plenty and security of property.
OTHER MERCANTILE EsrAsL1sHMENIs.
Mr.. Oscar Goebel who for IS years has
lived in the town, has large and varied
assortment of goods, and also entertains
the wayfarer who may chance his way.
Mr.. Frederick Soholle is another sue
cessful merchant, and has large ranch
interests. At present he is on the ranch
looking after the lsmbing and shesring
of sheep. The building occupied by Mr..
Scholle is one of the handsomest and
most unique in the territory, built for
attractiveness as we'll az utility, and
catches the visitors eye the first thing.
SUGAR pRET CULTURE.
The progressive people around Belen
are very much interested in the culture
of sugar beets, and number of experi-
mental acres have been sown for the
purpose of testing the adaptability of the
soil and climate TO the beet. The feeling
here is that no portion OF the territory
will bring better results from the growing
of beets than right in this vicinity, and
should the experiments prove successful,
large areas will be planted to beets next
year. To be profitable beets must be
made into sugar, and that requires
factory. Bslen people are not doing
much talking about beets and sugar fac
tories, but just the same look for the
second factory In New Mexico to be
built in this town. Quiet folks, as a
rule, saw lots Of wood, and Belen folks
are quiet.
PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS.
The principal products of this portion
of Valencia county are wheat, fruit, wool
and sheep, and this year promises much
10 these industries. The acreage Of wheat
IL very large, fruit is 10 tine shape and the
conditions for lambing have never been