El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-23

Wilcox, Ariz-, Dec 23-No one can
dispute the fact that the discovery of
great resources for development marks
common good. Such discovery is
being exploited in southern Arizona
The Sulphur Springs valley. of this
section, for the past two and a half
years, has been forging ahead in one
Of the most marked examples of pro-
gress known in the SOUTHWEST
As the Southern Pacific railroad leads
to Los Angeles. from FL Paso, it threads
its way through q chain of mountains.
and crosses this valley which is from
Is TO % miles in width and 100 in
length. Enciroled by mountains whose
tints reflect all tones Of gray and blue.
and whose grim PEAKS shadow rich
mines Of copper and gold. the valley
spreads out from the foothills. where
vast herds Of cattle feed, to a broad
level plain Of miles and miles of fer
tile land undertake by an abundance of
pure shallow water and overarched by
skies of Italian hue.
Wilcox on the Southern Pacific rail-
road, is the principal town in the north
ern portion of this valley and the nat
ural conditions make of il something
unique in the way of opportunity for
home makers. health seekers, nature
lovers. sportsmen, ranchmen, miners,
farmers. investors and laborers. For
80 years this town has been supported
by the ranch and mining Industries adj
jacent. and it had come to be the
largest shipping point for cattle in the
territory.
Farm Movement Starts.
Two and half years ago the value
of its lands for agricultural purposes
began to be, made known and a great
new movement stirred the country.
Hundreds of acres of government lands
were homesteaded and, where before
the valley was an open prairie with
cattle grazing at large, roads were
mapped out, fences run. homes built,
schools established and new order
generally instituted. Within a radius
of six or eight miles the lands are set
tied and from so to 20 substantial
farm houses, averaging from $500 to
$1,000 have been constructed. Aside
from these, numerous smaller houses,
and shacks were built and in some in
stances as much as $4,000 or $4,000 has
been invested on these new settlements.
Four rural school districts have been
created and the enrolment of the Will
cox senool has more than doubled.
Many Pumps Installed.
Over 100 pumps have been installed
ranging from a two horse power with
TO an IS horse power of 500 gallons
flow. On the lands remarkable vege-
tables nave been grown, several blue
ribbons having been won at the Phoe-
nix fair. Cabbage weighing II pounds.
sweet potatoes. six; sugar beets, nine,
show, what may be expected after some
years of cultivation. Two crops Of
Irish potatoes always, and sometimes
three are grown. One of the farmers
this season took from his first crop Of
two acres 5000. Another one with 10
acres of oats on second year land
netted $40 per acre. Alfalfa yields
five cuttings per season. The variety
of stuff adaptable TO the soil and cli-
mate OF the Sulphur Springs valley
needs no further commentary when it
is stated that one of the representative
citizens bought $3.50 worth of various
seed with which to experiment for the
crop most suited to this section and he
declared that each was a success.
Lands Reasonable in Price.
Following the efforts of the farmers,
the government has recently had
geologist in the valley Investigating in
dications for artesian- water. He states
that the proposition IS the best ne has
ever seen and a united effort on the
part of the people to secure deep water
Is under way. Lands now to be had
at from $40 TO $40 per acre will double
and quadruple with the development OF
this underground water. The past few
months the ) territorial university has
had an expert on soils and pumps
working the valley and he reports con-
ditions 10 be such that the university
VIII likely keep a permanent man in
this field. His work is analysis of soils,
water, and a general educational up
lift of the new farmers in regard to
pumping propositions.
Cattle Industry Looked After.
Along with the agricultural devel-
opment the cattle industry is being