Semi-weekly herald., 1914-04-30

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sistance of these, but that they were
an important part of the party.
There were merchants, retired bust
ness men, schoolmen, railroaders, mu-
sicians, dentists, electricians, farmers,
plumbers, clerks, city, and county Of
ficers, school ma'ams. society ladies,
general laborers and newspaper folk.
From the viewpoint of Durango peo-
pie, the crowd made an imposing spec
tacle and every one of the number Sc
cretly hoped that Aztec people would
be as impressed with us as we were
with ourselves.
The morning air was cold, brisk and
bracing and a strong wind played on
our faces until we reached Trouble
mesa. Threatening heavy clouds hung
over the mountains, and it appeared
at first that storm would spoil the
pleasures of the trip. But as the day
advanced, the clouds disappeared and
toward afternoon we found ourselves
basking in sunshine.
The roads were fine, and to the
New Mexico line had been carefully
dragged, thanks to the forethought of
our county commissioners and gen.
eral superintendent of road construc-
ton, Roy Goodman.
Quickly We passed the site of the
Standard smelter, and Carbon juno
tion and shortly we were making a
rapid ascent to the mesa and then the
fine ranches were passed in quick sue
cession. The view from the mesa is
magnificent. To the North winter
still holds sway. Below and on the
land surrounding US spring had awak-
ened and slumbering vegetation while
south, summer seemed to be knock
ing at the door. The valley below,
skirted on one side with perpendicu-
lar hills, is made up of productive
farms, connected with good roads.
Through it the Animas river wends
its way. The narrow bands of steel
marking the Rio Grande railroad fol-
low closely the waters edge.
A trip of this sort presents excel
lent opportunities to study the gen.
eral agricultural conditions. Time
was when many of the land owners
of the section through which we trav-
eled, blessed with the advantages of
sunshine, fertile soil and abundance
of water, were content to allow their
ranch work to proceed along the line
of least resistance and reap the har-
vest that comes to those that let Ma
ture have its sway. But the easy go
ing way of taking sustenance from
Natures storehouse is fast coming to
an end and new era rs at hand.
Farmers are fast familiarizing
themselves with the new system OF
crop rotation and soil culture. 1t is
plain that many are learning anew
the value of alfalfa as a forage and a
fattenine crop.
While land development in the Unit
ed States over has been at practical
ly standstill the past year. in the
portions of Colorado and New Mexico
through which we passed there has
been much progress in breaking up
new land and clearing away sage
brush.
While the country from the Cedar
Hill section south has gained much
reputation as a favored fruit section,
and peaches, pears, apricots and
apples are grown in large quantities
that are famed for their quality. size
and flavor. with all the slogan seems
10 be diversified farming. The Cedar
Hill section with blossom ladened or
Ichards, alfalfa fields and prosperous
looking homes, especially proves that
independent freedom and comfort may
come from small acreage. But all
along the way the farms and sub
Istantial homes suggested to the pas
iserbys that energy and well directed
effort in agricultural lines meet with
reward.
Through continuous performance
this entire section has proven itself
vastly above the average in the grow
ing Of grain, grasses, vegetables and
fruits.
The run to Cedar Hill was made in
ia little over two hours. Here the
leaders Of the procession halted until
all those In the rear arrived. With
the approach of the Lake car, the
bank played "Hail, Hail, the Gang Is
All Here" and shortly we were off
for our destination. Previous to the
stop here, Goff Black, president of
the Motor club, met the company and
presented the president of the Mo.
tor club with the key to the city, a
handsomely carved key shaped piece
Of wood about ten inches long, made
from timbers found in the Aztec
ruins. A letter Of welcome from the