Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-11-27

The above is the heading given by the
Pueblo Chieftain to long article in its
Sunday magazine for Nov. %. Tho mat
ter is given the honor Of first page po-
sition and two-eolor heading. In ad-
dition to the matter given below the ar
tiele contained a well written description
Of the sugar factory and the processes
necessary for the manufacture OF sugar:
In the Arkansas valley exists per
haps as nearly ideal conditions for the
realization Of the hopes OF the man and
his family. who. tired and weary OF the
struggle with adverse conditions. Is
looking for place to go back to ma
turc and begin life over anew as can
be found anywhere.
Here twenty-five years ago was an
arid valley producing but little beside
sage brush and buffalo grass. Al the
best an attempt TO rails. crops OF any
kind was more likely to be a failure
than success. owing 10 the uncertain
~ OF any moisture TO promot. this
growth. Now nm area OF nj least 100
Elunr. miles. probably more IL ms rich
garden spot rs can be found any
where In the vast West. owing entirely
To the development of system of irri-
gallon canals which convey the water
Of the Arkansas river along the rim OF
the valley and distribute II to the rich
lands below. The soil OF this valley.
like all arid lands. IN very rich In the
elements Of plant life. Tn. weather
ins OF rocks and soils leaves water sol
ubi- compounds which are WASHED
away by heavy rainfall but only
brought Into use aA needed by irTisa-
iion. Arid soils have many times as
much lime. potash and nitrairx aR do
rain washed soils. Phosphorie acid IL
also abundant and aiknil lands abound
In soluble phosphai~s ready for absorb
tion. Arid soils ar- p"nrtrahi- by mir
as well as waicr. hence roots ford more
rc-diiy and go to greater depth.
Not six Inches. but ten feet og soil IL
available: In far'. alfalfa roots com
monty 70 doan twenty fcn. and are
frequently found nj two or three times
that depth. Sand In rain lands IL poor.
while In arid lands II ID partially de-
composed rock and as fcr,ii. aa any
soil when water completes the d-cotn-
position. releasing It's constituent plant
foods. The use ~ fertilizers. So n-c-s-
sary In rain lands. IL. therefore. not &
part of farming In arid lands. though
undoubtedly this idea may br carried
IN an extreme. leading to the -xhaua-
tion of the soil In time. On the score
OF fertility. arid lands must aiwnvH
bc preferred for farming. while
the absolute control Of water
and i's use In needed quaint.
tics nj the right time Ia almost aa i'm
por'ani factor III the success Of tho
farmer
rooer,a, anaoyar,ov - ,,a,
Experience in the Arkansas valley
has shown that its soil has tn. pccu.
lar qualities needed for the perfect de-
sclopmcn' Of wha, wc will designate
as the trailing vegetables. as the can.
'aioup- watermelon. cucumber. squash.
pumpkin. tomato. etc. all Of which
grow to the rtmos, perfection Of quail
ity and flavor here. Rocky Ford can
taioupes are az well known In New
York markets "a a class by themselves
as arr blue Points In oysters. or Ches-
apcakc shad. known no, only for their
uniformity in size and appearance. but
for the deliciousncss uf their flavor. q
sweetness that cannot he obtained from
any soil where the sweetness is washed
out Of II by soaking rains.
That the soil Of this valley IL ezpc-
ciaiiy sweet" IL shown as we'll by the
exceptionally large prr cent Of sac
charine matter found In the sugar beet
grown here to perfection and consti-
tu'inr one Of the leading Industries Of
the valley. as will he described later
ROCKY FORD THE CENTER.
While what has been said applies to
the entire valley Of the Arkansas from
Fowler on the west to la Iunta ON the
east. n district averaging three to four
miles wide by about thirty miles in
length. Rocky Ford is the business
and shipping center Of what is known |
as the Rocky Ford district. Tho town |
is level and prettily laid ont. with |
we'll shaded streets and very com |
Portable. home-like class Of houses. in |
dica,inE a well-,o-do but not wealthy |
class Of Inhabitants. There arc all of
the usual features Of the progressive |
western town. a good school and |
church buildings. electric lights. pure |
soft artcsian water. sewer systems. and |
and an exceptionally neat and modern |
opera house which attracts to the place |
many high class entertainments and |
supplying what Is lacking in many |
towns of the size and class Of Rocky |
Fcrd. The town is also fortunate in |
having hotel that is exceptional for |
a town Of 2H0o population anywhere
The II Captain deserves 70 he classed |
among the first class hotels OF the
state. being well kept as we'll as well
appointed. and ought to attract TO the
town many guests who desire uuiet.
attractive but restful place in which \
to spend few weeks.
rcR THE HOME SEEKER.
The strong point to I've urged for
Rocky Ford is the opportunity offered !
for the home seeker To find place
where he can not only have all the adj
vanfnges of advanced civilization and
the highest social conditions. but at
tain to a state of independence as
we'll
Rocky Ford is one Of the very few
western towns which prohibits the sale
of iiuuors within its borders. another
evidence of the general high standard
of its population.
A FEW FIGURES.
THE general proftableness Of its
main industry. l. G.. melon and veEc-