Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-08-11
RESPONSIBILITIES OF
THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Is Unparalleled And Dry Farming Has
Proven Successful.

1t is not only claimed but is demon
strated every year by hundreds of farm
ers right around us, that the resource
fullness of the Lower Rio Grande Val
ley is almost without limit and unpar-
allied by any other section in the South
west. That is, every indication would
lead to such belief, when the fact is
considered that every now and then
some new product proves itself adapted
to this section. Only few years ago
limited number of crops We're deemed
worthy of consideration, such as cotton,
cane, corn, sweet potatoes and BEANS
and on these the prosperity of the Val
ley was dependent. When these crops
failed there was shrinkage in the re-
sources of this section which was felt
for several years. Noting the contrast
of conditions today things are far more
pleasing
So great have been the changes that
only those who were here in the former
days and remain to-day can realize the
transformation which has brought
wealth, happiness and contentment to
all who dwell here.
The visitation of drouths in the past
which Slapped the earth of all moisture
given way to the big irrigation canals
To these canals can be largely attribut-
ed more abundant rainfall, which in
sures fairly good yield of the former
crops under fair cultivation without the
aid of irrigation. Other crops which
hitherto were considered Improbable
from dry farming standpoint have
proved successful and are yielding pro-
10 Tln -
farming and the benefits that accrue
are not appreciated and given the con-
sideration that justly belongs to it. AS
an illustration of the wealth produced
by dry farming in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley, it is only necessary to en-
umerate few instances of yields obtain
ed by this method, There are instances
where bale of cotton per acre has been
secured under this method, with the
general average ranging from half to
three-fourths of bale per acre. These
yields were obtained upon lands which
sold at from $l5 to $l8 per acre little
over year ago. These same lands have
also produced from 40 to 60 bushels of
corn per acre and 20 to 30 bushels of
beans. From these yields it VIII he
seen that these lands have paid from
100 to 200 per cent on the investment
per annum, and yet to the inexperienc-
ed farmer they are classed as high
lands.
In comparing the increased yields
under irrigation over dry farming me-
thods would tax the ingenuity of the
experienced agriculturalist; yet it is
safe to say that in considering the
change of products and their values,
there has been an increase of from 100 to
800 per cent The per-acre value of the
crops of the Valley stands without a
parallel and is, therefore, responsible
for the permanent stability and pros
perity of this favored section.
Past experiences nave demonstrated
that the small farmer of the Valley is
the individual who has reaped the great
est reward for his labors on q per acre
basis.
The productiveness of the Valley soil
and the value of the products will with
in the next few years cause land values
to soar to such nights that it will prove
Improbable for agricultural purposes
along large, loose agricultural lines
such as have marked the history of the
large planter.
In the past two or three years several
hundred different products have been
given close attention, which leads tC
the conclusion that the Valley of the
Lower Rio Grande has greater mum
Der of products that can be proftably
cultivated than any other section of the
United States. BY reason of these var
led products the Valley offers to the
man of moderate means a greater mum