Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-12-19
F. N. Gray Field
Agent of Federal
Bureau.
HOW TASK IS HANDLED
Visits Farmers of New Mex
leo and Texas---Here on
Official Business.

Inc return OF OlllCldl STATISTICS on all
commercial crops, particularly cotton
and live stock in New Mexico and
Texas and to secure inside informa-
ton on these matters from the men
who are in the best position to know
the true state Of affairs-this is the
rather difficult work OF f. y. Gray,
special statistician Of the bureau Of
statistics, department of agriculture,
Washington.
Mr. Gray, who received his appoint
ment to this position in October, 1905,
was formerly a newspaper man but
CT recent years has been a planter.
He Is familiar with every phase OF
agriculture and when citing publica-
tons, has generally devoted them to
the encouragement of farmers and
planters He arrived here yesterday
from Albuquerque and left this even
ing for Las Vegas. While in this
city he called upon the secretary of
the Bureau of immigration and other
officials for information regarding
live stock in New Mexico. Speaking
of his work, he said
"You see, my task is varied Dur
ing certain months, ! report on cot
ton. AT other times / am engaged in
compiling statistics on grains, alfalfa,
fruit, etc. During the winter, de-
vote my time to live stock and report
each month to my bureau at Washing
ton.
81 would like to give you a state
ment on live stock. which know
would be of interest to the people of
the Territory, but can not do so.
Some time ago there was considerable
of a stir caused by the statement that
the official figures from the bureau OF
statistics on the cotton crop were Civ
en- out to favored few, thus eff
fecting the market Since tha- time,
we men in the field have made it a
practice 10 be non -commital as far as
statistics are concerned.
Little or No Cotton in New Mexico.
"My headquarters are at Houston,
Texas, where | have lived for some
time. ! am a native of Louisiana but
came to Texas eighteen years ago and
have resided there continuously since
that time.
81 am sorry to say that there is
little or no cotton raised in New
Mexico although | am inclined to be-
leve that portions of the country are
suitable to its cultivation.
81 have just returned from a visit
to the Pecos and lower Rio Grande
valleys, where some of the best crops
are raised in the whole of New Mex.
leo. Alfalfa is the leading and one of
the most profitable crops in those sec
tions, particularly when irrigated.
81 was also visitor at the College
of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. In
conversation there with those in
charge of the agricultural expert
mental station, learned that dry
farming is to reclaim many acres of
land in the vicinity of Las Cruces as
well as other portions of the Terri
tory. know that il is as yet only an
experiment but the professors at the
college told me that all indications are
for its success.
How the Statistics Are Secured.
"In gathering statistics on crops
visit leading farmers, buyers, commits
sion men and county and state or ter
ritorial officials. | also go to the
larger producing areas and judge for
myself. This is not as hard an under
taking as it might seem, for after I
have my routes laid out, know where
to go for the information desired.
"In securing statistics on livestock
however, my work is more difficult.
The reports of county assessors gen.
orally give me good insight into the
number of cattle, sheep and horses.
However, they do not always serve my
purpose. Information from private
sources are used extensively when
compute my tables
Mr.. Gray was born in Louisiana and
from 1882 to 1887 he edited the
Houma Courier in Terrebone Parish
of that state. Previously he conducted
the Ascension Democrat at Donalds-
vile, Louisiana. In 1889 he moved to
Texas and at Houston began the pub
lication of the Rice Industry, paper
which advocated what its name i'm
piled. At that time there was little
development in the rice industry in
Texas but at present. 1t has spread
along the gulf until twenty or more
counties of Texas are interested in
the product.