Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-09-08
SAN JUAN is THE "sTUFF.r
(Aztec Index.


San Juan county is enjoying more
general prosperity this season than II
has enjoyed heretofore, with very few
exceptions. While the great South
west has been afflicted with drowths
to considerable extent including the
territories of New Mexico and Ari-
zona, the states of Colorado and Utah.
yet the county of San Juan, the great
Animas and San Juan valleys have
enjoyed unprecedented prosperity in
the way of general crops of all kinds
While the Animas and San Juan
rivers during the month of July and
the first part of August, have been
lower than ever known in the history
OF the country, yet there has been an
abundance of water for general irri-
CATION purposes and the farmers and
ranchmen have not suffered for want
of water in either of these valleys
and while there has been a shortage of
water in the La Plata valley which
has cut crops short to some extent
yet they have been blest with one
fine crop of alfalfa, fair fruit crop,
and are far ahead of many other To-
calities in the west where irrigation
prevails. The fruit crop in San Juan
county is far ahead of the average and
the late rains of the 23d and 25th of
August. have thoroughly soaked the
whole county to such an extent as to
make the Animas- and San Juan rivers
past fording in many places and to fill
all the ditches in the La Plata valley,
giving them many days of constant IL
rigation at much needed time. The
late rains Will make the grass on the
open range fine for fall and winter
feed and will be a great blessing to
the stockmen and ranchmen general
ly. Owing to the scarcity of hay and
feed in the San Luis valley and many
other localities in Colorado, New Mexi-
co and Utah, the hay crop Of San Juan
county will bring a splendid price to
the farmers and the excellent fruit
crop which is now opening out at a
good price at the tree in the orchard,
will bring great sums of revenue to
the farmers and fruit growers of San
Iuan county. There are scarcely
teams and wagons enough in the coun-
ty to market the immense crops of
grain. fruit, vegetables and products
generally. this year.
For the past year, including all last
winter and this spring and summer.
there has been a heavy immigration
from all parts of the country into San
Juan county making new locations,
and investing in farms and ranches.
town property, etc. The growth of
San Juan county in the past year has
far exceeded that of any two previous
years and at this season many immi-
grants are coming in and are so well
pleased with the country that nine
out of every ten of the new immi
grants invest, locate and make their
permanent homes.
Farm lands, fruit lands, ranches
and real property of all kinds have ad-
vanced from 20 to 50 per cent over
last years prices. Many sales have
been and are being made and prices
are rapidly advancing. The immense
crops of fruit, hay, grain and vege-
tables are evidences to people who
come in and see the enormous prices
paid for such, that there is no better
place in the all the west to locate,
han in San Juan county, New Mexico
The towns and villages of the coun-
ty are rapidly improving, new school
districts are being organized, new
school houses and churches are being
built both in the towns and rural dis
tricts and the whole county is assum-
ing an air of progress and prosperity
which proves that it is only question
of time until San Juan county will be-
come one of the finest, richest coun-
ties in all the southwest