Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1918-09-20
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL NEWS
Department Edited BY G. lisyma County Agricultural Ausnt
for he Fa7msrs and sioskmsn Of Luna County,
r. s. TumhuIl, E. PAS. NJ AurI-
cultural Agent, Thinks Truck
Can be or0An Tor
Gang Cody

AAlct
Camp Cody,
Deming, N. NJ.
Dear Capt. Eiseman:
/ feel keenly interested in Won
plan to have vegetables grown il
that district for supplying CAM
Cody next year. As You have askeo
me TO express my views on the mat.
ter ! viii be very glad to furnish 4
few suggestions embodying my opin.
ion as to the most satisfactory plar
10 follow:
ave kept pretty closely in touch
with attempts at farming in III,
Mimbres valley since he beginning Of
the year 1909. You doubtless know
that during this interval several
thousand acres Of land have been put
under cultivation. Many pump irriga-
ton plants have been installed, with
the result that much Of the land has
since been abandoned and many of
the pumps now stand idle. The
main cause resulting in this lack Of
success to the farmers was the fact
that the high cost Of farming with
pumped water compelled the farm
ers to resort to intensive types Of
farming such as the growing Of truck
crops for which they found but Il
limited market, consequently most of
them were forced 10 give n and move
away. Some Of these farmers, how
ever, are still living upon their farms
and naturally, through the process
of adoption aud elimination, most Of
the remaining ones are those best
suited for the conditions found there.
No doubt the quantity Of truck
crops which the camp will need could
be grown ON (not to exceed) 800
acres of well chosen land. Inasmuch
as there is already enough help, not
subject to military draft, now on
these farms around Deming, to
handle even a greater acreage than
this, ! do not think it is advisable
to attempt to use war prisoners on
farms in the Deming district FOR pro.
duclng truck crops for the camp. |
believe it should be the aim to grow
vegetables in the maner that would
be. the most economical in the use Of
labor and capital. I feel confident
that the most economical and salts
factory method would be to have the
vegetables grown by the farmers
whose farms are already supplied
with the necessary equipment.
In order to have the plan work out
successfully, it is necessary that the
man in charge Of each farm be d.
rectly interested in the financial re-
turns from the crops. l do not favor
any plan involving purchase Of the
land by the government Of even the
managing of the farms BY govern
ment employees. The factory me-
thod" does not lend itself to econo-
mical application on American farms.
Through the assistance Of the cOun-
ty agricultural agent, agreements
could easily be arranged with indi-
vidual farmers whereby they would
plant the desired acreages of various
truck crops adapted to that section.
The plan might also be extended TO
provide for growing on some nearby
mountain farms, such vegetables as
white potatoes, etc, which are not
grown in the valley.
As TO the price to be paid 10
growers, ! think the most satisfac-
tory plan would be to have a price
interpretating committee and pay the
prices prevailing at some designated
market center such as Denver or
Fort Worth. plus the carload freight
rate from that point TO Deming.
As a price interpfetating commit
tee / would suggest one man appoint
ed from the camp, one appointed BY
the growers, and the county agent or
somebody appointed by him. The
quotations from the bureau Of mar
kels, as furnished to the pubic,
shold be accepted as the ruling
prices. The growers contract should
contain the necessary stipulations as
to grading, delivery, ETC., so as 10
eliminate as far as possible any
chances for friction.
] would also suggest that You OF
the county agricultural agent bring
this matter to the attention Of the
director Of the experiment station
and the state marketing COMMITTEES
so as to take advantage Of their adj
vice and assistance IN working out
details Of the plan.
Again assuring You Of my interest
in the matter and willingness to CO.
operate, ] am,
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