Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-08-18
IMPROVED
CONDITIONS
In Mesi|Ia Valley. ..AgricuItura
College Has More Room for
Students.
ORGAN MINES ACTIVE
People Appreciate Governor 0tero's
Help Towards Construction of
Diverting Dam,

! H. B. Holt, attorney at law at Las
Cruces and secretary and treasurer of
the board of regents Of the New Mex
|ico College of Agriculture and Me-
chanic Arts, was in the Capital City for
few days this week on business. In
an interview, Mr.. Holt had the follow
ing to say about the Agricultural Col
llege and present conditions in the Me-
lsilla Valley:
During the summer vacation many
Improvements have been made in and
about the Agricultural College.
"The addition to the Girls Dormitory
has been completed, which provides
sixteen additional rooms.
| "The furniture for the new rooms
has been ordered and will be in place
in time for the opening of the college,
We now have ample accommodations
for young women wishing to attend
the institution.
During the past year and half ex-
Quoted by the Agricultural Department
of the institution along the lines of ir-
rigation by pumping plants, for the
purpose of determining the underflow,
the best and most economical pumps
and the cheapest fuel
"These experiments have conclus
lively demonstrated that there is an
inexhaustible underf1ow, and as re-
suit many of the farmers of the valley
have installed pumping plants, thus
protecting themselves against loss at
times when there is a scarcity of wa
ter in the Rio Grande.
There has recently been consider
able activity in real estate, several
fine alfalfa ranches having changed
hands at excellent prices. Eastern cap
ital is now seeking investment in the
valley; one party has recently inspect
ed grant of about ten thousand
acres with view of purchasing same
and bringing into the valley large
party of colonists who will establish
homes there. The company will in
stall large, central, electrical power
plant for the purpose of furnishing
power to run the pumping plants which
it is proposed to furnish the colonists
upon the annual installment plan.
"Since the middle of July the valley
has been blessed with several fine
rains, which have greatly benefited al
falfa, and Notwithstanding the pro-
longed drouth, yield of at least sixty
per cent of the crop is anticipated.
ments of peaches, grapes, and canta-
loupes are daily shipped to eastern
markets.
Much activity is being manifested
in mining circles. The Modoc Group,
it is rumored, is about to be purchased
by eastern parties who intend to make
extensive improvements for the fur
ther development of the claims of the
company.
"The Stephenson-Bennett Consoli-
dated Mining Company has been act
lively at work for more than a year
and has developed and taken out some
very high grade ores. 1t has also made
many improvements upon the surface
and has put in the latest improved ma
chinery for the treatment and reduc-
ton of it's ores.
"The people of Las Cruces and sur
rounding territory are much gratified
to learn that as a result of the efforts
put forth by Governor Otero. who re-
Gently visited that place, the interior
department will shortly take up the
proposition of the construction of di-
verting dam across the Rio Grande
near Fort Selden. The people feel that
Governor Otero has rendered them in
valuable service and they heartily ap-
preciate it.
"The construction of the proposed
dam will insure permanent
head for the various irrigating bitches
and relieve the people of the valley of
great burden of expense and protect
them against loss incident to the depri-
vation of the use of the water of the
river by reason of the frequent wash
ing away Of the heads of ditches."
Referring to the political situation.
Mr.. Holt stated that everything was
harmonious in the Republican ranks
and that the present situation indicates
that Dona Ana County will roll up its
usual handsome majority for the Re-
publican ticket at the coming fall elec-
tion.