The Monte Vista journal., 1917-02-17
THE GREAT FARMING DISTRICT
OF THESANLUlS VALLEY, RICH
INH0MESEEKER OPPORTUNITY
BY CARL B. STOW

By CARL B. STOW
HE HIGH prices that the
| growers of farm pro-
ducts have received for
their crops during the
past year has created an
increased demand for
H=Hl farming land. The pro-
fitable returns to the
- farmer have interested
the investor as well as the man in
search of farm home, and these
prospective purchasers are now seek
ing localities that in their judgment
offer the greatest advantages and
fewest drawbacks for the successful
production Of agricultural products
Now, because of this opportune time
to attract new settlers to the San
Luis Valley the wonderful produc-
tiveness of our farms should be ex-
tensively advertised to interest these
people in locating here.
Every farmer knows that if farm
is to be profitable and paying in
vestment it must be located where
the soil Is fel tile; where markets are
good for all products raised; where
the people are educated, refined and
progressive, and where there are
good towns and railroads. The
farm must be located close to the
Church and Schools; where the eli
mate is healthful, and where the
general surroundings are desirable
And II located in the Rocky Mountain
region, the farm must have in addi-
IN n tote
ance of water for irrigation of the
crops, and also thorough drainage
system.
THE SAN LUIS VALLEY
We who formerly lived in agricul-
tural districts in the rain belt be-
lieve that the farmer seeking a loca-
ton, or the capitalist looking for a
farm investment, will make money
and be more contented if he comes
west and buys good irrigated land.
This is true, because the develop
ment of our western farms has hard
ly begun, and the prices per acre are
much less than the good farms in
such states as Iowa, Illinois and In
diana
And to be even more explicit rcla-
tive to the best location for a farm
home or an investment in farming
land, we desire to call your atten-
ton to the vast agricultural district
IN the San Luis Valley of Colorado
IN the immediate vicinity of Monte
Vista. The reason this particular To-
cality is especially favorable and Of
ters exceptional opportunities to
farmers, is because here the prices
or good land have not been inflated
And, this together with the healthful
lnvigorating climate; the progress
slveness of the people; the pure soft
water for domestic purposes; the
enormous yields of crops; the
abundance of water for irrigation,
and the general prosperity of the
district, make these farming lands
unusually attractive to both home
seeker and landlord.
Then too, the farmers in the San
Luis Valley have gone through the
earlier experimental stages of soil
culture and this education has
taught them just the kind of crops
that produce the largest yields and
the greatest profits. They know how
TO properly rotate these CROPS in
order to give back to the soil as
much vegetable matter as is taken
out each year, and they know how
to properly prepare the soil and irri-
gate the crops to obtain the maxi
mum returns.
When / say in this connection that
the farmers of this agricultural dis
trict do not ship unfinished products
from the Valley, every man familiar
with successful farming methods
VIII know that the farming system
adopted by the Monte Vista farmers
Is governed by the very highest intel
ligence and by scientific principles.
This important principle for success
full farming can be more easily nm
derstood when we say that thous-
ands of acres of field peas are grown
on these farms each year, and this
crop is harvested by lambs and hogs.
The peas fatten the stock for mar
ket, and the lambs and hogs are
shlpped 'hnlshed. An enormous
acreage of wheat is grown, and this
crop is purchased by the Monte Vista
Milling & Elevator Company and
made into -four, and the finished
product Is shipped Other grain
crops produced, and the alfalfa and
wild hay grown are fed to horses,
cattle, sheep and hogs. Thus, in
these earlier years of the develop
ment of our agricultural resources,
the fundamental principles for sue
cessful and prosperous farming dis
! trict have been established, and are