El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-23


drains The farmers Of the project
in general are contemplating a con
siderable addition to their cropped
areas by getting under pillow areas
which Up TO the present season have
remained unused because Of the seer
condition. Indications are that as soor
as farm work VIII permit extensive
operations on part Of the farmers ia
preparing these lands for another
season VIII take place. Taken as q
whole, general satisfaction is ex-
pressed with the drainage program,
no" mat It's effectiveness Is appar-
In analyzing the situation with
reference TO the character OF crops
grown on the local project d is al
once apparent that farm practice is
going through q gradual state of
transition in the sense OF modifying
and restricting areas formerly devo ed
20 field crops, with a proportionate
Increase in the production Of perish
ahles. Recent operations justify the
conclusion that larger areas can be
devoted 10 the production Of such
crops as sweet potatoes. cabbage.
cantaloupes- WatermelOns and tOma-
toes. with distinct economic advan-
tage- The Mesilla valley has fostereI.
by means Of a group Of special or
CARNATIONS. a substantial increase IN
their area devoted to perishable crops.
Thirteen hundred acres in crops of
this character are being markefed
satisfactorily through the produce
concerns Of Fl Paso. The El Paso
valley has consistently devoted sub
tantial areas 10 perishahle crops and
Is finding It profitable to Increase
these areas, since better marketing
conditions control.
Wheat area Drops.
Following the ever stimulation OF
the production OF small grains during
the war period, 1T which time con-
siderable difficulty was experienced
in securing adequate harvesting ma
chinery, The area in wheat dropped
considerably lower than last year.
The decrease is mainly due to the fact
that war enthusiasm occasioued a
number Of small farmers i'll equipped
Tor handling small grains 10 plant
areas which were harvested at a
sacrifice. Small grain paintings viii
Increase in volume mainly rs a direct
means Of controlling pestiferousI
weeds. IT has been found that the
1au planting Of small grains viii per
NIT OF substantial harvest and can be
followed by clean cultural methods in
controlling johnson grass and other
important weeds
Excluding the different truck .crons
and CHASING these gardens as a unit,
some 30 crops, which may be listed
As strictly field crops are grown on
the project at the present time. These
permit vide diversification and should
"a tisfy southwest needs as far as food
products are concerned in a substan-
tia way In addition TO the advan-
tage 10 Be gained by rotation. Il is at
once apparent that the large alfalfn
OF the past viii gradually be
encroached upon by other forage and
truck operations. The latest acquisi-
o saaaa . q
lounu IN cotton areas which are IN
creasing q gratifying manner.
Cotton assumes Commercial Aspect.
Following the experimental work
Of -he last few seasons the cotton
acreage is now attaining a CONNER
cial aspect Eight hundred acres have Z
been planted this season, which prom !
ises yield averaging a hale or better f
20 the acre. The staple grown on the i
local project is an inch and an eighth
in length ana reports from classers Z
place the local cotton-on a very sat I
isfactory basis.
The cotton development, while not 4
entirely confined to the lower valley J.
IS reaching its maximum development 4
In that section Farmers are finding I
that this crop IS not limited by local J
climatic conditions and can be made /
? highly profitable source Of revenue.
Dominant in the fruit industry IS !
the remarkable progress made in CON- /
the Bartlett pear. The I
project as a whole is showing a /
marked tendency toward the further d
leTel opmeut Of this industry. Due 20 /
unusual late fr0sts the pear crop Of 4
the present season has but maintained ]
the volume of last year. notwith- ]
standing the fact that the young
trees coming into bearing warranted +
an assumption OF 80 percent increase 4
il yield
No particular alarm Is felt In con |
sleerins frost as a limiting factor, /
for the simple reason that weather /
records faii TO bear out a situation I
Of any considerable concern Both I
valleys o. the project have shipped I
pears throughout the eastern markets /
with marked success The associa- !
lions have gained considerable pres ;
lge and the product under its stand i
ardized grades is receiving preference I
because Of its excellent quality both I
iu flavor and size. as well as the fact Z
THAT the local pears viii stand ship I
ping requiem ents IN a highly salts ]
factory manner Present development I
would indicate the area devoted to I
pears viii proceed in gradual extern 1
sion until a substantial part OF the /
entire acreage Of the project viii give I
way TO this specialized industry.
Interest in Livestock.
iderabls interest is being mani /
Tested in the development, Of the live I
stock Industry in as far as Il Is re- i
lated 10 farm areas. This develop !
ment centers chiefly in the Mesilla
valley, where special associations