The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1909-06-12

possible exception of some small adobe
areas, is unusually fertile when properly
irrigated and farmed; that in common
with all irrigated regions, parts OF the
Valley need to be drained rs well as ir-
rigated: that two years ago the Drainage
Bureau of the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture, made a thorough
investigation OF the drainage problems
Of the Valley, and reported that those
parts needing it, were unusually easy
Of drainage, and at an average cost Of
$500 to e4.OO an acre.
4th-That this is not fruit valley
and makes no claim to be such, except
that most small fruits do well: that it is
adapted to general farming and stock
raising and feeding; the farm crops be-
ing wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, field
peas, sugar beets, and other root crops
and most kinds of vegetables, and that
in the production Of these crops. and in
the profitable making of pork and NUT
ton, few places in the state or nation
are its equal.
5th-That all the tracts Of land said
to be owned by the Land Companies
above mentioned, have some portions OF
them, generally small. compared to the
whole, already irrigated by the natural
flow OF the streams, but no additional
parts Of them can be irrigated except
by the building Of reservoirs, and these
reservoirs will probably cost several
hundred thousand dollars each. and in
the case Of the Baca Grant, it Is doubt
full il any additional land can be irri-
gated except at prohibitive cost; that
the soil Of all Of these tracts is gener-
ally good. and, with the exception Of the
sandy and mountainous parts Of the
Baca Grant. would, when irrigated and
drained where drainage is needed, be
very valuable and probably a. product
We rs any in the Valley.
6th-That under present conditions OF
market and transportation, and which
conditions are likely to continue for
many years, it is not true that a family
can make living on 5 or Oacres Of land
in the Valley, any more than it 10 true
that family can in Kansas, or Nebraska.
or Iowa except limited few adjacent to
large cities, and anyone 30 representing,
is either grossly ignorant Of the facts, or
Intentionally does 30 to deceive aud
swindle; that 50 acres 10 the least amount
Of land which conservative experienced
men OF the Valley would say would sup
port family in comfort.
1th-That the curse OF the Valley for
twenty years hes been the wildcatting
OF certain Of il lands whereby thous.
ands Of acres Of worthless lands, worth
less because they had no water rights or
were ruined by ssepage. were sold over
and over and over again BY unscrupu.
lous men who represented that they
were Just as good" - the best in the
Valley, resulting in great financial los
to the many purchasers. and who natur
ally became "knockers" against tho
Valley; then, when these purchasers had
ascertained the facts, aud forfeited their
contracts. the same lands would he sold
over again W new victims.
sth-That the larger part Of the 500.
0U0 acres Of land already irrigated are
first class lands, raising bountiful crops
year after year, and that on these lands.
by reason Of the breaking up oi large
ranches and the Offering Of them Tor sale
10 80 To 80 acre tracts there IL room for
thousands Of new settlers who. 10 buying
theas lands, will mako no mistake and
run no risk Of loss; Therefore, BY reason
OF the foregoing. bs IL further
Resolved. That II tho said Land Com.
panies, Or any Others are selling their
San Luis Valley lands by the lottery, or
~ called auction" plan in and 10 acre
tracts, or representing that such tracts
will support family, or that they arc
fruit lands, or that they can b. irrigated
without the building Of expensive rsssr.
voirs. VI IL they are being cold without
adequate legal guarantees Of the build.
ing u reservoirs sufficient to water them,
then the Commercial Club Of Monte
Vista condemns such methods 10 10.
measured terms and calls upon all good
citizens OF the Valley TO do the same.
Resolved. That 1000 OF more dissatls.
tisd holders d 8 and 10 acre tracts. Do.
ceived 10 their purchases - n the con.
hittons existing here Tor watering them
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