The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-08-15
From Topeka, CKan.) Capital.

From Topeka, (Kan.) Capital
Coming out of the raid plains on
the northeast into the irrigated dis
trict of the Pecos Valley might be
hkened to a jump from desert to a
paradise. And the sensations one ex-
perielces as he steps from the train
at Roswell, are varied, for the travel
er has been passing through a more
or less arid region for hours, consist
ing of plains-nothing but great level
stretches of land extending as far as
the eye can see. with nothing in the
background to ''rest the eye up again. -
as one of the natives tersely put it.
With the exception of native grasses
which in some places are very few
and far between the only vegetation
il the un-irrigated section of north
eastern New Mexico, consists of sage
brush, mesquite and cactus. 1t is no
wonder then, that this sudden transi-
tion from the desert to an oasis makes
a deep impression upon the traveller.
Roswell, New Mexico, the county
seat of Chaves county is the head Of
the famous artesian belt of the Pecos
Valley. The setting of the city is ide-
al Ell Captain and the Sierra Blanca
mountains in the distance give a rug
ged touch to an otherwise highly cul-
tivated landscape. Broad avenues, lin
ed on either side with stately trees,
beautiful residences, with we'll kept
lawns, the bustling and well built busi-
ness district indicate that this city of
5000 is live modern, up-to-date lit
tie metropolis. South as far as Lake
wood a distance of IL miles, extends
what is known as the artesian belt
that is, the strip of country, eight to
twelve miles il width, where flowing
wells may be obtained by the simple
process of drilling for them. To OBJ
tain a good well one must ordinarily
go down 700 to 1000 feet, although
there are strong flowing artesian
wells in the valley of much less depth.
Once an artesian well is obtained, a
quarter section of desert land worth
absolutely nothing without irrigation,
is quickly converted into fields of al
falfa, and orchards of apples, pears
and other fruits. When thus developed
the land is worth from 500 to $1,000
an acre, much of it making good int
crest on the latter valuation Alfalfa
brings $50 to $50 net per acre; apple
orchards, $100 to $500 per acre, but
apples are not so sure crop as al
falfa; for although irrigation does
away with the possibility of drouth,
old Jack Frost occasionally catches
the fruit. To obtain a good artesia1
well requires am average investment
of $4,000. A quarter section of unde-
veloped land VIII cost, say $4,000. This
investment of $4,000 makes the 500
to $1,000 an acre land, and it is safe
to say that the first two years crops
will bring back, in net profits, the
original investment of $4,000. This is
just a hint of the grand investment
possibilities of this country. The Wis
ftor to Roswell should not forget that
there are many places of interest to
be seen, among them: Lovers Lane,
mile and a half il length, formed
by interlocking far overhead of the
branches of trees. growing on either
side of broad thoroughfare; Hager-
mans 1900 acre ranch, which would
more aptly be termed a garden, show
ing some of the possibilities of farm
ing by irrigation: the New Mexico
Military Institute, founded and sup
ported by the Territory of New Mex
leo: the "Bottomless' Lakes. which
afford fine fishing.
These are just few of the places
OF interest which made the deepest
impression on the writer. There are
many others well worth seeing. Dex-
ter, Hagerman. Lake Arthur, Artesia,
Dayton and Lakewood are live. grow
ing towns in this famous artesian belt
which offer the same natural advan-
taees as Roswell and should not be
overlooked by either the tourist or
prospective investor Each little city
has an individ lality all It's own. and
there Is something Of Interest to be
seen I'm each that can be seen I'm none
Of the Others At Lakewood, for In
stance. Is the largest artificial lake
in The world, over eight miles II