Semi-weekly herald., 1915-05-27

some of the earliest inhabitants of the
North American continent. Thou
populated this country, irrigating the
valleys and farming the fertile lands.
Almost every canon contains the ruins
of their homes and villages. Their
homes were built in the most mac
cessible places. They were a peace
full people and took this measure to
protect themselves against the preda-
tory Indians. Eventually, however,
the entire race fell a prey to the In
dians and were annihilated.
1t seems strange, indeed, that after
all these years, no one knows just
how many, there should come a re-
settlement of these lands by the white
man.
San Juan Slopes Beautiful
and Fertile.
There is no more beautiful or more
fertile country in the world than the
valleys, foothills and mesa lands on
the southern slope of the San Juan
mountains. The elevation ranges from
about 5000 feet and up. The country
is well watered by several large riv-
ers and innumerable small creeks and
streams.
For many years numbering has been
the important industry in this section,
as it is well timbered. The noun
famous areas arei included in the ma
tional forests, there being the Monte
National forest and the San Juan Ma
tional forest. Fully one-half of the
entire district is included in the boun-
daries of these three forests.
The San Juan mountains form d
portion of the Continental Divide and
are very high, rugged range, nu-
merous peaks ranging $4,000 feet in
elevation. In these mountains are To-
Gated the mining camps of Silverton
Telluride, Lake City, Ouray and
) Creede.
100000 Acres Vacant In
Durango District.
Outside of the forests there are
100000 acres of vacant lands subject
to homestead entry in the Durango
land district. Most of this land lies in
the foothills and on the mesas. Some
of these mesas are of such an exten.
as to practically be praries.
There are many large irrigating
systems in this section and most of
the valley lands are under irrigation
bitches. Only a small percentage Of
the land, however, is under cultiva-
ton, as the population of this entire
portion of Colorado is very small and
there are by no means enough farm
ers on the ground now to till the
lands available for cultivation.
Consequently, the government lands
have not been picked over as careful
ly as they have been in some other
portions of the state. The settler who
wishes to come into this district and
take careful look around, can find
many excellent tracts open to home
stead entry.
The soil is almost universally good
and covered with good growth OF
native grasses. There is an abundance
of timber, coal and in most places,
plenty of water.
1t is a characteristic feature of the
| r,nrtinp nf rnIARnIn That tt,a
rainfall in the level valleys is COM
paratively light, increasing in the
foothills and on the mountain sides.
This is the condition that will be
found in this section. Those who wish
irrigated farms can secure them in
the valleys. Those who wish to farm
without irrigation, should locate ON
the side hills where there is sufficient
rainfall to raise crops.
The climae in the Durango district
is generally very good. Being on the
southern slope of the San Juan range,
it is sheltered in general way. The
district is also about $50 miles south
of Denver, giving naturally an even
milder climate than is enjoyed by this
city. Many portions of this district
are suitable for fruit culture, while
grains, potatoes and field crops can
be raised almost anywhere, provid-
ing the soil is suitable
This is splendid natural grazing
country and the open range here IS
being widely used by cattle and sheep
men. They are gradually giving way
to the settlers, however, realizing
that the settlement of this attractive
district is evitable.-Denver Post.
PARIS REVIyING AS