The Lamar register., 1904-05-11
San Luis Valley Wells.


Darton of the United States Geological
Survey, Mr. C. L, Siebenthal has re-
Gently Investigated TIE subject of ar
tesian wells in the San Luis valley.
Colorado The valley itself is the site
OF Pleistocense lake and II is in the
alternating sand and clay deposits of
the old lake that the water is found.
The artesian basin. which is oval in
shape. lies in the northern portion of
the valley and covers an area OF about
800 square miles. Flowing water is
found at depths of from sixty to 100
feet around the margin of the basin
and at somewhat greater depth nearer
the middle of the basin. Along the
margin wells can usually not be sunk
more than 200 feet because Of the
gravel, bat in the middle of the basin
several wells record 1000 feet, finding
flows of different capacity at shore in
tervals throughout their whole depth.
The total number of wells located in
the basin is about $500. The water
fiom these wells is clear, pure and
tasteless. Ordinarily it contains not
over fifteen grains of solid matter to
gallon. with maximum of fifty or
sixty grains. Its excellent quality
makes this water an especial boon to
the people of the valley. as it is de-
also employed to some extent in ir-
iigation, probably one-ffth of the wells
being used for that purpose. AS
means of watering truck gardens and
supplying reserve water storage for
stock. these artesian wells tire simply
Invaluable to the settlers In this re-
gion.
For years the lockmasters OF New
Mexico have been searching high and
low to secure more water 70: their
nocks on the high plateaus which
abound so commonly throughout that
country. The very finest grass grows
on some of these mesas and this Is be-
ing utilized by the drilling Of wclls 300
or 400 feet deep from which water is
pumped by windmills or gasoline en-
gines. We know one firm that has put
down eight wells of this character on
the fine plateau just east of Estancia
Springs. near the Manzano mountains.
in the eastern part of Valencia county.
1t must pay to do such things or bust
ness men like the McGillvarys would
not do it, Such improvements are per-
manent and the generations to come
will reap the benefits in any event
Field and Farm.
A correspondent of Field and Farm
who has been looking around on the
western slope makes the observation
that alfalfa on the bottom lands, where
IL has had plenty of moisture all winter
is making much earlier growth and
shows greater vigor than that on the
uplands which has lain without irriga-
ton since last fall. Even where water
has been applied during the last month
the alfalfa is not making the same
start as on the ground where 1t has
not been allowed to dry out during the
winter. Winter irrigation ts not con-
sidered practicable to any great extent
in that section on account OF the long.
small laterals on the high mesa lands,
but 1t is predicted after another dry
winter or two those farmers will see
the importance of very late fall and
early spring irrigation for all crops.
Dried leg of mutton makes a very
palatable dish Legs from well-fed
sheep only should be cured. good
method of curing is as follows: Wipe
with damp cloth and dry with clean
towel. To each leg of about ten
pounds allow a half pound OF brown
sugar. one pound of salt and one ounce
of saltpeter Mix while holding the
vessel over a kettle of hot water. Put
the legs on a draining board and rub
thoroughly with this mixture each day
for three days. Then rub in like man
ner with a mixture of one-half pound
of brown sugar, one-half pound of salt
and one ounce of ground cloves. Be
fore applying, the mixture should be
warmed. Put the legs in tub and
for two weeks turn and baste several
times with the liquid that forms. AT
ter this treat them as pork hams by
smoking. drying. etc.