Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1901-07-03
THE WHEAT FIELDS OF
DONA ANA COUNTY
The Granary Of New Mexico Boasts Of a
Fine Crop Of Grain, Alfalfa and Veg
etables This Year.
DEVELOPMENT OF NEARBY MINES

Special Correspondence New Mexican
Las Cruces. N. NJ, July /, 19W.-The
Mesilla valley, the most beautiful and
productive valley in New Mexico, the
real granary Of the territory, has the
assurance this time of the greatest
crop of hay, wheat, and all kinds of
grain within ten years. This is due to
the abundant supply Of water which
has been furnished by the Rio Grande.
Early in the spring reports from the
headwaters of the river indicated un-
usual SHOWS on the slopes of the Con-
tinental divide in Colorado and New
Mexico and in consequence better
| supply of water in the river than in
| the last few years. In reliance upon
these reports much larger area was
planted in wheat and other grains by
the farmers Of the valley. So far their
expectations have been more than full
filled. Last year the river went dry
just as the wheat was ripening and
considerable quantity was cut for hay
or turned into pasture for stock. This
year the farmers have had no such
experience. Wheat is now being har-
vested and Is coming in every day to
the mills. 1t is certain that the yield
will be greater than the six -four mills
in the valley can handle and that much
of it will have to be shipped to the mills
in the central part of the territory to
be ground into flour.
For the same reasons, the alfalfa
crop is unusually large and good. The
first cutting took place in May. It was
slightly injured by frost. The second
crop is now being cut and the yield Is
remarkably good. There is also assur-
ance of third crop as there is as yet
plenty of water for irrigation, and the
midsummer rains have commenced.
The price of alfalfa has been somewhat
lower than in former years. This Is
probably the most profitable product of
the valley as a ready market for all
that is raised is found in the mining
camps close at hand and in Grant
county and also in western Texas and
Northern New Mexico. Vegetables
have not been SO plentiful in years.
Corn is well advanced and is looking
well. The yield promises to be unus-
ually large.
The peach crop was caught by the
frosts and Is almost total failure. APP
Piles were somewhat injured by the hail
h,lt the yield promises to be fair.
Grapes were also somewhat injured by
hail in parts of the valley, but in 9TH
er parts they are in good condition.
From the foregoing it will be seen
that the year promises to be most
profitable one to the people of the val
ley. The mines in the Organs and the
San Andreas mountains are still at
tracing considerable attention in MIN
ing circles. Hardly day passes but |
that one or more parties of capitalists,
promoters or experts do not pass thro
Las Cruces on the way to the various
mining camps and purchase bonds
have been given and taken on several
mining claims, more or less
developed. Every year finds a grow
ing confidence in the worth of these
as producers of mineral and |
the conviction is strong that at no dis
tant day permanent bodies of ore will |
be developed to an extent that will |
give employment to hundreds, perhaps |
thousands, of miners and laboring men.
At present much development work Is |
being done at Organ and San Andreas.