Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-01-02

Business OF nearly all kinds lla.
shown slight increase over the yeai
1903. Some merchants report an in
crease in business. while others re
port the same volume as the preced
ing year, while still others claim a
slight falling on
More Money.
The combined bank deposits show
an increase over any past year, an
indication there is more money in the
country. Bankers inform us there has
been general increase in the volume
OF business-more people with ac.
counts. Also, that the general inan.
cial tone is good, the average citizen
being in better circumstances than
heretofore.
The postoffice receipts will undoubt.
edly show small increase for the
year ending April lst over the pre-
ceeding year, although the first four
months OK the current year were dull
and showed small decrease. The
last two months. especially December
however. have shown a substantial
increase with indications OF continu-
ing the rest OF the winter. The stamp
sales over December. 1903, is quite
noticeable. while the registry and
money order business shows big in
crease
Land Office.
The land office records show that
24.6O3 acres of government land have
been taken up in La Plata county dur
Ing the fiscal year. OF this amount 1t
is estimated that three-fourths is ag-
-,ricultural and the balance timber,
coal and mineral. A corresponding
large amount has also been taken up
in Montezuma and Archuleta counties
in Colorado, and in San Juan county,
New Mexico, both of which sections
are tributary to Durango.
New Farms.
The past year has witnessed the
first cultivation of several thousand
acres that were brought under ditch
the year previous. A large number OF
settlers at Vallejo come under this
class. They took up their land last
year and the bitches to carry water
10 the land were not completed until
growth OF settlers in this immediate
section. all the year round, half a
dozen families having come in the
last few months These latest comers
have only obtained their land and are
now engaged in building their houses
barns and other buildings and fences
clearing their land of sagebrush and
making other necessary improve
ments so as TO be able to raise crops
next year.
Various smaller bitches and exten-
sions built by private parties to cover
land taken up have made a very fiat
tering increase in the total acreage
brought under cultivation in this sec
ton.
Especially in San Juan county. New
Mexico. has a vast area been brought
under irrigation the past year. The
same is true OF Montezuma county.
which has taken on renewed impe-
tus on account of that county issuing
water bonds to the amount of $500
900 for the purpose of building new
and independent irrigating canal,
Many settlers have taken up land
which will be watered by this canal
and there Is a general feeling preya.
lent that Montezuma county will be-
fore many years double her popula-
ton.
Farmers Have Good Market.
The farmers have cause for re
joicing. as they have had good crops
the past year, as they always have in
an irrigation country. and they have
been able to dispose of their crops AT
good prices. The excellent markets
enjoyed by our farmers and fruit
growers is one OF the beauties of the
business In this section. San Juan
points east and south this year than
ever before, and the markets that
have tried 1t for the first time this
year will want more of 1t next year
The livestock business has kept
apace with the kindred industries
One thousand head OF horses were
shipped by one firm from here to St
Louis, and they brought higher pric
eB than horses have been known tc
p'ihk ioi many yVaiss Sdttit ohp
ments have also been good. while the
large wool clips have made substan
tial increases in the bank accounts o.
the flock owners.
The various sawmills have rur
steadily along, furnishing employ
ment to many laborers OF that class
Coal Lands.
The past year has witnessed tbs
greatest activity in the history Of this
section In the locating Of coal lands