The Clayton news. (Clayton, N.M.) 19??-1954, 1918-08-24
UNION COUNTY LANDS ARE
BECOMING MORE VALUABLE

luClC 10 plOOobiy AOb u 9OhIiOh VI
New Mexico that has made more pro-
gress and growth in recent years
than Union County. Especially is
this true in the dry farming sections,
where the raising of beans. corn,
broomcorn and seed crops has ex-,
perienced a remarkable development.
There are l9i,598 acres of dry
farm land in Union County valued
at from $3.50 to $4,000 per acre, or
a total of $5,537,9i To the average
reader this is not very significant
until it is stated that up until few
years ago this land was considered
practically worthless except as graz
ing land and then was not considered
as of any great value. The influx
of immigration that started to this
state several years ago is RESPONSE
BILE for the increase in value of these
lands. With the coming of the i'm
migrant development naturally re-
suited. and it was not long untf it
was discovered that many valuable
and profitable crops could be pro-
dued on Union County lancd. With
in reent years thousands of acres of
duced on Union County land. With
section have been hOmesteaded, anG
there still remains i'll this county ap-
proximately 100000 acres of land
open to entry. Many came to this
section because of the healthful eli
mate. Others came because of the
wanderluSt, and still others came be-
cause theybelieved there was a great
field here for development. Those VIII
came out of curiosity could not stand
the trials and periods of adversely
which are naturally prevalent in a
newly developed country and this
class are today conspicuous by their
absence. Many of those who came
because of their health have return
ed to their native states, but still
hold much valuable land here. Those
who have remained here are today
counted among the most prosperous
people in this section and may be
seen riding around in their high
powered automobiles, the owners of
profitable and productive farms.
Land that just few years ago
was considered expensive at $l00
and $500 per acre is today selling as
high as $4,000 and 5000. Scientific
methods of farming rotation or
crops and increase in soil fertility
brought about by artificial means
has enabled the farmer to grow
large crops on this dry farm land.
There are still worlds of opportunity
in the dry farming regions of this
county. Thousands of acres of land
remains here that have never been
under cultivation, and awaits only
the plow share and willing hands to
make them productive. Farmers who
are anxious to gain independence and
prosperity and who are not afraid
of real work will find this section OF
the state well adapted TO their ef-
forts. Success and prosperity will
come to them as it has come to 9TH
er hard working immigrants before
them.
Within recent years the farmers
in the arid regions have added to
their bank-rOll by keeping fifty or
sixty head of cattle on their farms.
AS rule these CATTLE have been
of the range variety and have been
fed for marketing purposes, but in
many instances farmers have found
that raising dairy cattle has proven
to be very profitable. They have
found in Clayton and other trading
points over the county a ready mar
ket for milk and butter. The dairy
industry promises to be one of the
most profitable and important in
dustries in this section of the state
within few more years.
Irrigation projects have been
started in a small way in various
setions Of the county, and it is like
ly that this method of increasing
production will be in general use
within few years. Good water at
a depth of from 60 TO 100 feet, and
a number of streams have been