Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1903-05-01
PROSPEROUS ERA
For New Mexico Says a Recent
Visitor 10 Denver.
Big PLANS ON FOOT.

New Mexico is entering upon an
era of prosperity that will soon dem.
onstrate the qualifications of the terri.
tory for statehood" said Henry e.
Rhodes, of Santa Fe, to a Denver Re-
publican representative.
Prospects for greater population,
reclamation of arid lands and develop
ment of natural resources were never
better, and the territory is already
alive with the activities in these lines.
Water has been our cry for years,
and water we will have if it is possible
to accomplish by artificial means that
which may not be had from natural
sources. Our plans include not only
the storage of water and other irriga-
ton schemes dependent upon such
measures, but the boring of artesian
wells in many districts now almost
without water.
Several corporations and individ-
uals have already made the prelim-
mary arrangements for the explora-
ton of vast sections for artesian water
supplies. Some of these contemplate
making the land productive in this
tanner and then selling most of it to
good settlers at prices as low as $1.25
per acre.
Selling Lands Of State
to Further irrigation
Our territorial irrigation commits
sion has already made arrangements
TO sell % 1000 acres to the highest bid
der, Money obtained by this sale will
re used in making experiments to de.
termine the possibilities of artesian
wells, and also to ascertain whether
or not it will be feasible to pump water
or use in the Rio Grande valley.
I'm Dona Ana county SO, 900 acres
will Don be available for agriculture
through the obtaining of water by bor-
ing many wells. Many companies have
already made offers for large tracts
which they plan to supply with water
and then sell to settlers. The terri.
torial government will encourage these
by offering large tracts to the highest
bidders.
Another means of raising revenue
from the land itself for the purpose of
obtaining water will soon be in force.
Selections will be made at once from
the allotments of the government. One
of the first will call for zoo, 900 acres.
This land will be leased for pasturage
and the money used largely in obtain
ing water.
"One of the factors hat will do
much to build up the territory is the
new Santa Fe Central railroad, now
in course of construction. This road
will tap a country rich in natural re-
sources and containing agricultural
lands of inestimable value, once water
is obtained.
Railroad Gives Access
to Great Coal Deposits
Our coal production will also be
vastly increased by the building of this
line. 1t will give access to the Hagan
coal fields, a vast deposit of fine quail
ity of this fuel. Already we have an
enormous production from the Gallup
district, but with the new fields con-
nected by rail the output will be such
that the industry will be one of our
most important.
immigration is constantly increas-
ing in the territory. All of the cities
and towns are growing and the entire
country is receiving settlers Land sus-
ceptible to cultivation is in great de-
mand, but there is room for thousands
more. This season has been better
tnan several years before because
there has beef no moisture. The coun-
try suffered a great lea during sew
eral dry winters, but we are on the
road to recovery now,
The climate of new Mexico is al.
most ideal. Its soil is very rich.
Water is lacking, it is true, but We in
tend to find some means Of providing
that. men we will be ready to com
pete with the other parts of the coun-
try and will not ask any odds"
A lesson In Health.