La Junta tribune., 1910-07-30
VALLEY OF CONTENT
BY J. G. Washburn
80 +++++++++

have spent twenty years OF my
life In this great Arkansas Valley
and 1t is simply wonderful to think
OF the many and great improvements
that have taken place during that
time. Small villages have grown up
into up-to-date little cities, with a
great future-and that not far dis.
tant The harder we boost the soon
er will be brought about realiza-
tion OF the great future" and in
order 10 boost effectively we must
get together. The people OF each
town and city should get together
and boost for their local needs, and
each should get in touch with the
surrounding farming community.
| Neither can accomplish much with
out the other.
One OF the great needs Of La
Junta is good, large park-a beauty
spot and breathing place combin-
ed. Let us get together and select
a good site in some nice location
and then commence to improve IL.
This should be done before the price
OF land advances any higher.
The people in each town and the
country surrounding II should be-
come enthusiasts for good roads.
Good roads, in these days OF auto
mobiles especially, are the greatest
advertisement that country can
have. The people of town and coun-
try should get together and put the
matter up to the county commission
ers. Let them know what you want,
and don't be afraid TO spend few
dollars. Many farmer would be
willing to put team on the road
for a few days and help out. aud In
work would be accomplished. The
main thoroughfares. especially. ought
to b. put in first-class condition. Tell
your neighboring towns what you
are doing and they will meet you
half way at least, and do their part
and a little more. They will prob
ably try TO make their end of the
road little better than yours. and
this spirit of friendly rivalry viii ac-
complish wonders.
The best way to accomplish this
work, and have II done quick, is for
the towns to set time when the
farmers are not too busy. and then
call general meeting of town and
country folks and talk these mat
tcrs over. When II is decided what
work should be done first then let
everybody get busy aud concentrate
their efforts upon this particular
work. BY working together much
good can be accomplished.
Did you ever stop TO think that
this great Valley OF Content Is the
most wonderful as well as the most
fertile agricultural territory on the
face OF the globe. with resources that
are practically undeveloped' II you
have not. Just make inquiry OF some
Of your eastern friends. or read the
newspapers concerning crop condi'
Tons and crop prospects In other
parts Of the country. We have abun'
dant crops OF all kinds this year and
We have them every year for that
matter. All we need Is more people
to cultivate this great valley and
there would lie no trouble In doub-
ling the amount produced. Think
what that would mean In the way
Of prosperity to the various towns In
the valley.
What would they think back east
OF harvesting from thirty 10 sixty
five bushels OF wheat TO the acre.
oats In proportion. alfalfa from four
10 six tons to the acre. beets IRON
SS5 70 500 per acre net. and canta'
loupcs from $50 To $3.50 per acre
net, and all other kinds OF garden
truck Ia proportion. This valley is
destined to become one Of the great
? est fruit growing sections In the en-
Tire world. Arkansas Valley apples
were on the market In Denver this
year before those Of the Western
slope. Over ! 900 carloads Of apples
will b shipped out Of the Arkansas
Valley this year. Our cherry crop
beat all records this year. All We
need v more fruit Trees. more people
aud more intensive fsrminx.and then
there will be no limit To our cAps'
city 70 produce or our general pros
pertty.
lived on . farm In Illinois for
twenty-five years. illinok is con-
st1sre4 one Of the best agricultural
statQD n the union, but no part Ol