New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-08-31
100000 IN
WEALTH ADDED
IN THE YEAR 1917
ALL COUNTIES OF STATE
SHARE IN REMARKABLE
PROSPERITY MORE THAN
100000 ACRES ADDED TO
FARMS AND RANGES
By Guthrie Smith

actual, and $64 361 900, potential, the
development of the resources of New
Mexico during the past II months
has been so nearly general as to in
clude every section, and has been
gradual and steady, rather than by
any spurts
The first amount given is the in
crease in the valuation of the states
property for the year 1917, as COM
pare with the previous year. In
round numbers the valuation for 1916
was $330,OO0,0O0, while this year it
will reach $35O,OOO,0OO. This figure
was based on the values obtaining in
January, before war needs had given
so great stimulus to agricultural
pursuits; when the soil was produc-
ing wheat that had nothing like a
guaranteed price of 81 bushel.
All Counties Share in II
This increased valuation has been
divided among practically all of the
counties, Grant, with its wonderful
mineral stores, leading with an in
crease of almost $2,00OOOO. Other
counties showing substantial gains
are: Quay, $l,8l3,O00; San Miguel,
$l,3S3,OOO; Union, 100000; Socorro,
$8s3,OOO; Curry, 100000; Lincoln,
100000; Otero, $4,000; Dona Ana,
$164,9z.
Recognizing the growth and dew
clopmcnt of the eastern section of
the state, and the desirability of
smaller organized units, the third
legislature, at the session which be-
gan in January, created the two new
counties of deBaca and Lea, having
rs their temporary seats at Fort
Sumner and Lovington. Still an
other bill was introduced, which
sought to divide the county of Mora.
100000 Acres Added
The $40 acre of grazing homestead
law has resulted in a tremendous in
crease in the development of patent
resources, which is not yet shown on
the tax rolls. The best estimates to
be had indicate that since this law
has been in operation more than o.,
100000 acres have been filed upon or
applied for by homesteaders. The
bringing of this vast tract Of land
under private ownership soon will re-
suit in large increases in valuation,
not only for the land itself, but for
the big herds of sheep and cattle
that will Craze thereon, as well as
some crops which will be grown
The completion of the Elephant
Butte dam, which will furnish an
abundance of water for the irriga-
ton of the Mesilla valley has been
another one of the powerful factors
aiding in the states material growth.
This dam supplies irrigation water
also for the lower Mcslla valley, in
Texas, as we'll as for Mexico.
Yield Will Be Double
New Mexico has been accustomed
to growing only about 40 per cent of
its food products, but this year the
yield will be about double the nor
NAL. This yield will be all the more
striking when it is considered that
the lack of rainfall has been almost
without a parallel 1t was necessary,
under war conditions, to put into
cultivation hundreds and thousands
of acres that never had felt the touch
of a plow. The Estancia valley,
which has grown famous in recent
years on account of its bean crop,
will have a record breaker this fall.
The increase in prices, as we'll as the
great difference in acreage, will
bring prosperity to many of the in
habitants of the valley. The Moreno
valley, in Colfax county, with its
big potato crop on land that formerly
was used only for pasturage, is an
other instance of the way New Mex
leo. citizens have responded to the
federal governments call for more
food and foodstuffs. Taos county,
with diversified crops, is yet another
The Indians of the Taos pueblos have
made every increase possible in their
crop acreage.
The government of the state of
New Mexico, through its council of
defence, has been responsible for a
great part of the increase in agri-
cultural production The council
furnished thousands of dollars for
farmers to buy seeds, taking notes
secured by mortgages on the crops
an in every way that it could sti-
mulated planting and cultivation.
Convicts from the state penitentiary,
working under the direction and
financing of the council, have plant
ed and cultivated large tracts of
beans.
Bread Crops Increased
The stimulation of planting will
be continued, especially with refer
ence to winter wheat and rye. The
estimate for Quay county alone is
that it will sow 5000 acres to win
ter wheat. Where farmers are un-
able to finance their plans for plant
ing the council of defence will fur
nish the seeds on practically the
same terms as prevailed for the
spring planting.
Roads will be needed to transport
these crops, and roads will be built
and repaired. Figures compiled by
the state highway commission show
that the state now has $3.50 miles of
state roads, which, when construc-
ton, improvement and repair work
is completed, will represent an out
lay of 100000 This mileage does
not include the county roads.
Nearly 41yeooeoo for Roads
Estimates of the highway commits
sion for building and improving for
the year commencing December 1,
reach q total of $4,000. This amount
includes the federal aid which will
be received. Under the present laws,
the county furnishes Is percent, the |
state Is per cent and the federal gov
ernment 50 percent of the money to
b expended upon any approved road