Semi-weekly herald., 1914-08-27
SEEING LA PLATA
COUNTY BY AUTO

Our speedometcr registered some
thing over ten miles between Ignacio
and Tiffany. And we want to say II
any Of the auto tourists have failed
to take the trip they have missed
some fine scenery. A splendid view
Is obtained from the divide Of the
Spring Greek district which is thick
iy settled. We were greatly surpris-
ed to note the number of ranches, in
dicated by the yellow wheat and oat
fields, many of which had been cut,
the ground being well covered with
shocks. We were told that the grain
acreage is fully double that of any
previous season. The week of our
visit threshing had just commenced
and is now in full blast throughout
the basin. Being rendered the hos
pitality Of the Linebargers for the
night we enjoyed the visit very much,
the family consisting Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Linebarger, Miss Ruth and Hugh,
just emerging from his teens. Mr..
Linebarger was enjoying visit from
his father, an Iowa resident, this be-
ing his second trip to Colorado. Mr..
Linebarger, Sr., is past 80 and still
spry. although suffering from stom-
ach and throat trouble. The old gen
tleman is an old line Democrat and
we quickly ascertained where our
friend w. N. obtained his early po-
| litical training. However, from con.
yersation, if Linebarger, Sr., resided
in Colorado, Democracy would not
get his vote this fall.
Leaving our luggage" at the Line
barger domicile, with Mrs. Linebarger
as guide, we spent an entire day tour.
ing the Tiffany-Allison section, Wis
| iting dozen or more of the ranches
in order that we might personally
inspect the crops and know whereof
1--WE speak" when writing of the fer
tile district. One can obtain good
deal of information second-handed,
but for the real thing we want per-
sonal contact. When talking with
some one and he, she or they, tell us
of the productiveness of this or tha.
section, of the wheat and oat yield,
the luxuriant alfalfa, timothy reach
ing the back of the horses, etc, We
like to know for ourselves to just
the extent we can believe. Again.
one becomes acquainted with the lay
of the country, the character of the
soil, the irrigation system and the
methods of caring for crops.
We have heard good deal of the
George West-Bob Holt ranch on
Spring Creek, about three and half
miles west of Tiffany, but never had
an opportunity of visiting the same
until this trip. Under Mr.. Hott's su-
pervision the ranch is among the best
cultivated and most productive in the
county. Here is where the West-Hott
cattle are wintered. The ranch is
several hundred feet lower than Du-
range and with southern sloping side
hills which are covered with spruce
and pinons, it is an ideal winter feed
ing place, the stock being protected
from the snow and wind by the afore-
said trees. But what took our eye
more than anything else was the new
barn under construction. 1t is the
most substantial of any in the south
west and when completed will be a
comfort to the owners. At present
only the walls and girders are in
place. The walls are of stone about
two feet thick and two stories high,
The building is against he side hill,
enabling teams to drive in the second
story with loads from the level. The
barn is 80 feet long by 40 wide. The
lower part will be used for stalls
capable of caring for about 20 head
of work horses on one side while the
other side will be for grain, machin-
cry, etc. The driveway on the second
floor extends the entire length and
four loaded hay wagons can be ac-
commodated in this driveway at q
time. One side, 80 feet long by go
feet wide, is for hay and with the
loft extending above the stone wall 20
feet or more, the person used to
handling ha ywill understand quite a
bunch can be put under this cover
kpr substantialness and convenience
the barn excells anything we have
observed in the southwest. Having
so many places to visit an invita-
tion to stow away some spring chick
en- had to be declined.
The next stopping place landed us
at the Vandegrift ranch, where we
found both Giles, Sr., and Giles, Jr
Giles, Sr., has several contracts for
residences and barns in the district
and is clearing ground for new and
commodious residence on the home
place, having selected pretty site
Giles, Jr., has made up his mind to
stick to the ranch, it agreeing with
him in every way, especially health
The Vandegrift ranch is well located
especially for stock interests, Visit