North Park union., 1901-09-06
san La.. valley 1mproyement.

Colorado Is widely known as pre-
eminently the mining state, yet statis-
tics show each year that the agricul-
tural products exceed In value the out
put of the mines. This is mostly due
to irrigation and In no part Of Colorado
Is farming by this method better illus
trated than in the sunny Sun Luis val
ley, In the southern part of the state.
The lnrge canals In the vicinity of
Monte Vistn long ngO demonstrated the
fertility Of that part Of the valley and
the immense yields of wheat, oats, bar
ley, peas, etc., have made many a
farmer independent. There are well
authenticated instances where men
have paid for their farms from the pro-
ceeds Of single crop.
For various reasons the southern end
Of the valley has not received the at
tention It deserved. The land Is equal
ly good and 1t needed only the applica-
ton Of water to make 1t available
This fact was well known to the farm
ers of the vicinity, but they lacked the
means to do more than make a few
small bitches. Some three years ago
the attention of Zeph. Charles Felt Of
Denver, who had already done SO much
for the Grand Junction country, was
called to that part of the valley and he
was asked to Investigate Its resources
and opportunities. The result was the
purchase by him of about 10000 acres
Of the cream of the land, the organiza-
tion of the Romero Irrigation Company
and the planning Of system Of canals
and laterals to make use of the very
old water rights which had been ac-
quired meantime.
Before foot Of earth was turned an
extensive survey was made at IN ex-
pense Of several thousand dollars. The
principal part of this work is now COM
pleted. The Romero canal is a model
Of its kind and is supplying the needed
water to the land. A new town at the
point formerly known as Manassa Sid
Ing has been laid out to furnish the
necessary shipping facilities.
Already the surrounding country is a
scene Of activity. where the company
is fencing. plowing and preparing a
large tract Of Its land for crops. Incl
dentally the old town Of Manassa.
three miles east. with It's population Of
about 1,2OO, will be benefited. At first
there was some resentment that
stranger should come in md pick up
the choicest lands that the nelghbors
had Intended to buy when they got
picion perhaps that the projected plans
were but another scheme to work the
country and sell cut. SO fairly and SO
literally has the management OF fhe
Romero Irrigation Company dealt With
the people In carrying out Its plans and
spending its money that instead Of op-
position there II now the most cordial
support and cooperation on the part of
the old settlers.
They realize the advantages that
have already come to them and are
prepared to welcome the still greater
developments expected within the next
few years when the plans OF the COM
many are fully completed. The Denver
Z Rio Grande has lately made Its road
broad gauge to the southern end of the
valley and IL making the needed I'M
provements at Romeo to accommodate
the business there. In tho opinion Of
careful observers. there ID no part Of
the state that olfers better opportuni-
.ties for, thu many who are turning
their eyes from me dsouth-stricken ~
ossus ~ resepsfoas Colorado i