The La Jara chronicle., 1911-06-02

Agricultural College at Fort Col
Inns, Colorado, and one of the
ablest men versed in the science
of agriculture that has come to
public notice, publicly declare
that there need be no waste acres
in the San Luis Valley, and that
it could all be brought under a
high state of cultivation by the
methods of reclamation.
The early settlers of the valley
proceeded on lines that offered
the least resistance, and for that
reason it was their custom in
seeking a location to find one trib-
utary to some perennial stream,
for the country being arid, they
were sure of two things essen
tial to their success, water and
forage.
All of these early pioneers so
located, by gradual acquisition
increased their holdings until
they held vast acreage, not ex
tensively cultivated, but to fall
Craze their herds after cutting
the native hay, and the stock
came down from the mountain
ranges.
Advancing years, and the ac-
emulation of a competence, for
these pioneers all became wealthy,
have resulted in many of these
ranches being sold, and are now
being cut up into smaller tracts
for general farming, this class of
property being perhaps more
highly regarded by reason of its
location, than sections OF coun-
try more remote from the streams
But it can be truthfully said
that any section of the valley,
irrespective of location, that
has been intelligently irrigated,
cultivated and farmed, has shown
most excellent agricultural results
So far as soil is concerned,
the elements of production are
present, but in saying this let it
not be understood that the treat
ment of the soil, or the methods
of irrigation and cultivation. are
alike for every class, for in
stance the porosity of the soil
must determine the use of water,
and other soil may be SO satu
rated with moisture, that the
water level will have to be low
cred by drainage, in other words
the prudent farmer will study
the conditions that attach to his
Land, and then apply his work
and expenditures to meet a
known situation.
The bulls eye of profit cannot
be rung unless the aim is ac
curately directed, therefore any
man, no matter what his calling,
should know what he is after
before he starts.
The valley is not timbered, and
with exception of trees arti-
'icially grown by ranchmen, and
the fringe of cottonwoods that
skirt the streams, it is a vat
flat plain.
There is, however, a timber
line entirely surrounding the
valley, beginning at the base of
the mountains, and extending up
the sides of the ranges until the
altitude prevents its growth, so
that fencing is available if the
foot hills are visited to obtain
it.
Colorado first came into prom
inence as mineral state, and
although the mineral production
has been eclipsed by its agricul-
tural and fruit products, perhaps
three times over, at the same
time the opportunities for min
ing are as great to day as they
ever were, and the ranges of
mountains that encircle this val
ley, are a closed book in so far
as systematic prospecting or at
tempts to exploit their hidden
resources.
Enough in this direction has
been done to point the way to
future possibilities, and as min
eral wealth is where you find it,
it may be San Luis Valley far
mer, as well as a John Hays