The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-06
Redemption Of Pecos Valley.


has proved to be an ideal method TO:
scientific farming. :. p, e..:
Redemption Of Pecos Valley.
The results obtained from cultivation
of the soil under irrigation in the Pecos
the stage Of experiment into the front
rank of desirable fruit and, vegetable
growing sections. The. climate is every
thing that can be desired the winters
at times drops to the freezing point 50
that ice is formed; the spring comes
early, and the summer turns gradually
into a late fall. The elevation of the
Pecos valley is about 2,7O0 to 5000, feet
above the sea level. so the excessive
The air is clear, dry and invigorating.
The soil Is very fertile and easily
worked. Beneath the alluvial deposit,
which Is rich in plant food, is a subsoil
of clay. alternating with sand and occa-
saInally gravel. This combination is
most favorable for agricultural purposes
when it has the proper supply of mois.
ture.
Already a number of irrigation systems
have been put into operation in the Pecos
valley and the results have been most
gratifying. The one a>Barstow is an
excellent example of what can be done
in the way of scientific irrigation. A spot
about fifteeA miles above the city was
SGlcClSu " ere Tie COIulIlOIlS Oh CQG
river bed were such that it was necessary
to build. only small, inexpensive dam
and dig a short ditch, in order to take
the water out on the west side, from
whence it is f1umed over to the lands
surrounding Barstow. The place where
the water is brought back to the river
lies about twelve miles south of the city
There are in all about 10000 acres of
good, ttllabe land under the ditch. and
the reports Of the federal government,
I~HS to- - o12f =
the river gauge, which was placed by
the authorities at the station located at
the fiume, prove beyond any doubt that
the supply Of water Is more than suffi-
cient to irrigate the entire tract, although
only about 5000 acres are under cultiva-
ton at the present time. :
Work of the Government.
The prospects Of this section of the
Pecos valley are so promising that the
federal government has selected Barstow
for the erection Of new experiment sta
ton, where skilled men will test the
growth of various crops to discover just
what grains, fruits and vegetables are
best adapted to the soil and climate, and
what are the most economic and effective
of water which can be secured from the
tract through the main canal and the
laterals.
That the Pecos valley has a great flu
ture before it as fruit growing section
there can no longer be the least shadow
of a doubt, for all experiments along
these lines have met with the most
marvellous success. The famous Rocky
Ford cantaloupes, grown in the section
near Barstow, rival those from Colorado
in richness and delicacy Of flavor; in fact,
they have been pronounced by some ex-
perts to be superior to the Colorado
product. The yield is abundant and the
profit ranges from $50 to $500 per acre
ton with the Eastern markets, so the
melons and all other products can be
shipped without delay and without ex-
orbitant freight charges.
Phenomenal success has also been at
tanned in the growth of fine grapes. such
nishman. The largest vineyard in this
district contains 100 acres of bearing
vines, and the average yield is $4,000
crates, which bring about $1.25 per crate.
in Ward county, near Barstow. were pro
| nounced superior in flavor to those of any
other state and attracted the attention
| of pe-growers from all over the South
| and even from famed California. ~.s
Peaches and Pears Thrive. -
Peaches, especially the high-grade FL
| berta variety, and pears thrive amazing
! ly in the soil of this region, and many
| young trees are being grown by meT
SiklileO III the cultivation OF DOtn Of
| these fruits, and they are expecting tt
reap large incomes from these orchards
| in a few years. T. ~.l = -
| Cotton is the largest crop of this sec.
ton at present, there being about $500
acres devoted to it's cultivation. In in.
stances where a fine, improved seed ha.
been used cotton has been raised will
staple from an inch and quarter t
one and half in length, which makes i
very desirable for the manufacture Of
thread: The yield is always excellent
| for moisture can be supplied at JUS
the proper time and in the needed amour
| to insure a good crop.
| There are about 400 acres planted will
| alfalfa and 1t grows most luxuriantly
yielding on the average five cuttings O
one ton per acre for each cutting, so tina
the net profit can be reckoned at abou
| So per ton. 4,z
Raw lands in the Pecos valley can b
1 purchased at low prices and on cas-,
4 terms. and with such wonderful result
as those obtained in the region arount
j Barstow the tide of immigration will 500,
j cover all Of this. fertile region with -four
ishtng farms and ranches.