Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-04-20

by this company. The wages paid for
labor are good. ordinary laborers get
ting from $3.50 to $275 per day and
skilled labor commanding much nigh-
er prices. A number of foreigners are
employed in the smelter for ordinary
labor. but the bulk OF the population
of Durango consists of a good class
Of Americans.
Some of the readers Of this little
pamphlet may desire information as
TO the social element In regard to this
II can be truthfully said that II can
compare very favorably with any to
he found in the larger cities. The
erings are enjoyed by both the young
and old.
About nine miles north OF the city
of Durango are located hot minerl
springs On tnis site a handsome ho'
tel has been erected and tnlther the
people of Durango and for miles
around repair for the benefits to be
derived from these life-glving waters.
which are especially beneficial for
those afflicted with either rheumatic
or liver troubles,
One of the greatest resources OF this
section is the vast deposits Of min
eral wealth. In the La Plata noun
lalns which tower over Durango to
the west. are large and valuable de
posits of gold and silver. Only re-
Yt Lob hu
struck In these mines which are at
tracting attention from the outer
world Assays OF tails precious metal
show what wealth is contained In the
grim, silent sentlnels which surround
us.
Coal Is of especially dne quality and
unlimited in quantity. As
stated before. this is one of the rea-
sons way eastern roads are to pass
through Durango. as they come here
after the bituminous coal which a
hounds in larger quantities than can
he found anywhere west Of Pennsyl-
yania. These mines afford employ
ment for large numbers Of men at re-
wages. and a group OF the
most important are situated within
easy reach of Durango and the rail-
road. thus reducing the cost OF oper
ating,
But people are too apt to give undue
Importance to the mineral wealth OF
This section, thus neglecting the agri
which is of equal import
ance Durango is highly favored in
the rich agricultural land adjacent TO
IT, This land is easily cultivated and
very productive, Owing to the fact
that all crops are produced under irri-
cation, crop failures are practically
unknown Irrigation Is carried out on
a scientific basis, and while II has
not yet attained the perfection that
mas been acquired in the northern
part of the state, still II can more
than hold its own. This section is per.
haps the best watered of any portion
Of the Southwest. having an abund-
ance of streams OF pure, clear water
which take tneir source In the lofty.
snow capped mountains. Nor are these
Siltdulb NhiuuDit III ilibhsioh Bhh-
poses alone. for they are filed with
trout, making paradise for the en-.
thusiastic angler. There is little dan
ger of these streams being exhausted
on account of the number of Ash TAX
en- from them. for at Durango Is To-
Gated state fish hatchery. from
which the streams all over this part
of the state are literally stocked.
Wells for household purposes can be
obtained at moderat cost. Land val
ues are still low, but with tne increas-
Ing railroad activity 1t IL believed they
will soon be on par with those of
the older and better known sections
of the state. There are many well
improved farms, showing evidences OF
thrifty management. but there is still
a large acreage which can be taken
up under either homestead or desert
acts.
All grains, grasses and fruits grown
in semitropical countries are produced
here in abundance. The prices paid
for produce make farming profitable
and the supply has never yet equaled
the demand, the surrounding mining
districts especially affording partlcu-
larly good market.
A few words must be devoted to the
fruit of this section, wnlcb has at
tracted attention from all parts OF the
United States. In some cases buyers
have come from Eastern markets and
contracted for the fruit on the trees,
thus enabling the owner to make
clear profit. This fruit is celebrated
for It's flavor, size. color aud perfect
maturity, and whenever exhibited car
rles on the premiums, both at state.
county and national fairs. The apples
in particular seem to surpass anything
produced In other countries and at
tain a size not often seen and II would
he hard to hnd the equal OF the pears,
plums and peaches.
Raw land is mostly covered with
growth OF sage brush which is not
lifiicuIt to clear When cleared, good
crops can be raised the first year.
From the earliest days stock raising
has been an important Industry and
there is an abundance Of open range
f,r cattle aheen and hOrseB AS d