Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-08-11

leys of the northwest with their COM
munai houses Of stone and adobe. The
5000 Pueblos dwell in ninteen villages
owning 100000 acres of land by absolute
title. The $4,000 NaVajoes own 100000
acres. There are other Indian tribes.
The assessment of property for taxes
in 1895 gave total valuation of proper
ty within the territory of $40,51S,037.
There are 306 postoffices in the territory.
The railroad mileage is 1910. Estimated
value of manufactures annually, $l,516,-
1876. Value of farm products, $2,5000,00
| yearly.
Irrigation is the touchstone of success
ful agriculture, and the development
which the greater science is reaching in
this country is one OF the marvels of the
| grand age in which We live. II may be
stated confidently that New Mexico today
! offers greater attractions than any other
portion of the country to such a person.
We have the maximum about sunshine,
and the water supply available from hun
dreds of mountain streams that are never
falling Is very great; in fact, it
may be said that & beginning has only
been made in approaching it. That the
soil is everything that could be desired is
conceded by all who have Investigated it.
Facts speak very loudly on these points:
1t is a fact that New Mexico took first
prize for wheat at the Worlds fair and
second prize for oats, being surpassed
IN the latter by Russia only; it is a fact
that the bulletins of the United States
department of agriculture show that the
average yield per acre of wheat in New
Mexico has been graater than that of any
other state or territory in the Union; it
is fact that the superiority of the flavor
of the fruits of New Mexico is today un-
questioned in the markets and it brings
higher prices in the large cities than any
other offered. These are facts. Farmers
in the Mississippi valley know only
too we'll that an ordinary apple, peach or
pear will bring only enough to pay for
Grating and transportation, whereas the
superb fruit raised in New Mexico by
irrigation and ripened in the perpetual
sun brings prices that in short time
make the grower independent. Now, if
these things are 30 land we challenge any
who may dispute them, the next ques-
tion which arises is, can land be obtained
at reasonable prices? The answer to this
will be quite as satisfactory as the facts
above eluciaaso6. OJsiug to many cir
cumstances which are not necessary to
enumerate, the territory of New Mexico
has not received the attention it deserves
from those who have been seeking homes
In the far west to engage in farming and
fruit raising. The tide of immigration
to the west reached the dry, and arid
portions of Kansas and Nebraska where
Disappointing results only we're obtained
and where irrigation from streams was
really not possible, and if it were possi-
Bile, was not thought of at that time.
The tide did not leap over the bar (which
is to be regretted), and Immigrants did
not rapidly come in to appropriate the
available land to be found in tine noun
tain valleys then. The great depression
in all industries in the years that have
just been passed has initiated against
the development of New Mexico. Any
one who has travelled through the far
western states and territories, who is
acq uainted with New Mexico, and the
prices that are put upon lands in the
various parts will assert that the most
desirable land may be obtained In New
Mexico at prices very much less than in
any other section, and indeed we believe
that for about one half of the average
figures prevailing elsewhere.