Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-07-05
DuRAN0o'S WEALTH IN
SURROUNDING COUNTRY

When one thinks of a greater Du-
range and glances over the vast
areas in the surrounding country
permanent growth, no other section
will be found more attractive or im
portant than that on the east, includ-
ing the Pine river country, with It's
neighboring streams, the Florida and
Piedra rivers, and their various tribu-
taries. 1t is country nearly Az
miles from east to west and fully 50
miles from north to south, extending
from the foothills north to the San
Juan river on the southland not hall
of the lands have been brought under
irrigation, but there will be plenty OF
water to cover all by establishing
reservoirs for conserving the Hood
waters. There Is much water going
to waste at present, flowing from the
cultivated lands to other tracts Oh
the south which are not cultivated.
Since the Ute reservation was open
ed for settlement few years ago,
when Indians were given lands in
severalty, hundreds of ranches have
been located, and there still remain
some very good tracts which may be
acquired by location. The greater
area of government land, however,
will be found on the south of Ignacio
and Grommet, toward the San Juan
river With the flood waters con
served there will be enough for the
irrigation OF double the area which
may be reclaimed.
The progress of farming and stock
raising in this wonderful country has
been most rapid during the past few
years, but 1t may be said that all this
is but mere beginning of what is to
be done during the next few years
under cultivation where but few
years ago the land looked but bar
rem waste. Hay fields linked .ogeth
er present stretches of from mile
to three and four miles. Many new
houses and barns and fences have
been built during the past two years.
There promises to be a little city
somewhere between Durango and the
Piedra, probably near to the Rio
Grande railway, but should the South
ern Pacific build through there it
| might have much to do with the loca
ton of central trading place for the
south half Of the country.
In the newer sections farmers have
already begun to set out fruit trees
and in from two to five years there
claim the higher lands to be superior
for fruit growing on account OF the
absence of frost.
This farming area on the east is
much larger than that in the Monte.
yuma valley, and probably as large
as both the Animas and San Juan
valleys combined. The lower or fiat
lands along the streams here are com
paratively smaller in area than along
the two larger streams.
| The yield of hay and grain in this
| country is as large as in any other
| section of the west, and the substan
tial character of buildings compares
| favorably with the older farming sec
| tions of Colorado.
| The vastness of the coal area on
the east will not be underestimated
Little has been done for the develop
ment of the measures of coal and
natural coke here.
No other section is more uniform
| ly watered by natural streams from
which it is easy to conduct irrigation
canals and laterals. These facilities
have been acquired at the minimum
| cost of irrigation construction in the
west and those which will follow to
water other lands will not be more
expensive. 1t will be noted tina;
many Durango people during the past
few years have been securing farm
ing tracts in this section.
So the Importance of that country
in its relation to the future growth
of Durango must impress the people
of the city. This section may be re-
lied upon confidently to do as much
to make up the shortage during the
past of farm products which have had
to be drawn from other states-in
hay and grain and vegetables and
meats, fruits, etc. Nearly every
farmer is found diversifying his crops
and raising beef. pork and poultry.
The conditions are far more health
full and prosperous at present than
during any time in the past. AT
nearly every ranch there are evil
| dences of general prosperity. Dur
ing the next few years the growth OF
production there should exceed the
growth of demand in Durango until
finally the homegrown products wj'A
meet the home demands.
| 1t will be noticed that the farmers
are making a better study of scien-
tific irrigation and learning to better
handle and control the water so as to
secure desired results. Even the
Ute Indians. with their small effort
to farm, are learning irrigation.
There is room in the south half of
| the country for an increased popula-
ton of $4,000 to 10000. The popula
ton of the area at the present time
fg, ha,