Imperial Valley press., 1923-07-14
ABOUT THE PROPOSED DATE STATION

ABOUT THE PROPOSED DATE STATION
The county of Imperial is now face to face with
another epochal decision in its career. There have
been many and varied momentous steps taken in its
short history of % years. but fraught with
Importance than the one before it now-of taking the
necessary steps to insure for this rich section
ty-owned, government-malntained Date Experiment
Station.
The county supervisors have been asked to take
action on this proposition on August sixth Complete
and authentic data has been placed in their hands,
explaining fully and clearly the various why
favorable action on their part will mean that in
of time Imperial Valley will be the greatest
date producing region in the world.
This is not the wild imagination of over-zeal-
Gus booster 1t is the unbiased opinion of government
date experts who have examined date growing
dtons in all parts of the world.
The ground is already available as forty acres
donated last December by the Board of Super
visors, to the U. S. Department of Agriculture to be
used date, grape and fruit experiment station.
However, the government turned down the offer at
that time for general experiment station the
University of California already has one at Meoland.
However, this same forty acres could be utilized
for the proposed Date Experiment Staton-to be
used exclusively in the cultivation and perfection of
dates.
The only expense, therefore to be incurred by the
county is the cost of equippng the station, which will
be easily covered by $4,000, according to Farm Ad
visor E. l.. Garthwaite and other interested men.
This $4,000 is the only capital required from the
county investment, that by cold, conservative
figures would net profit. at the very least in ten
years to county taxpayers at S1361OO and the prop
erty would be worth by that time S20O,0O0
The land, buildings, stock and equipment would
be the property of the county. All agricultural,
horticultural and livestock products from this station
for all time would be the property of the county.
Money derived from the sale of these products would
so into the county treasury.
The monetary gain does not take into consider
alton the nestimable effects of unlimited and favor
able publicity, the manifold advantages accruing to
the entire section from increased date acreage the
attraction of ultimate millions from outside capital
seeking investments in tried and tested date section
Then, too, the movement is of peculiar value right
at this time when the Boulder Dam project is upper
most in the public mind. The vast Eastsde mesa,
which will be thrown open to entry upon passage of
the Swing-J Johnson Bill would be particularly adapt
ed to date culture, with water available, and would
accommodate young army of settlers in itself.
The Press recently printed interesting
pilation of figures concerning the proposed station
For the sake of emphasis, relteraton is not out of
place. and repeat the table here that every tax
payer may digest it thoroughly.
Cost to County
Rent 40 O. $40 per per year, 10 years $4,000
Interest on $4,000 q per cent per year for
Depreciation on Equipment per cent per
year for 10 years 5000
Total cost to County in 10 years - 5 81, 400
Income to County
45 palms per 40 acres 300 palms
1900 palms will average 10 offshoots in 10 years 900
offshoots
$4,000 offshoots a $3.50 each - $4,000
1900 palms and offshoots will average SO fbs of fruit
each from the 5th to 10th year.
1900 palms giving $50 lbs in years 100000 lbs. fruit
100000 lbs. fruit % 25c. per I'd - 81 IL, 500
Net returns from growing ntercrops of vegetables,
Strawberries, grapes 40 $40 per for 10
Total income to County in 10 years ..--- -S173,500
Less Cost .............. 81 ,4CD
Net profit to County in 10 years - 100
Government will maintain Station at cost of $4,000
per year. Property at end of 10 years 40 &C. a
$4,000 500, 900
Many of the figures given above excessively
low, but the complers made them for the sake of
conservatism Coachella growers consistently get
SO to $25 for offshoos according to variety and the
Gull fruit sells for less than 35 cents per pound
NOW-to the most important point of all! If this
experiment station is to be assured for Imperial
County, action must be vigorous and prompt or the
opportunity will be gone for two years-and perhaps
indefinitely The Secretary of Agriculture is even
NOW passing estimates for the next biennum and
have been given from highup that
he will approve annual appropriation of $4,000
by the government to maintain the station if the
ty will do its part But the time is short and must
act Immediately.
If you in favor of this project, see to it that
you let your supervisor know your attitude in the
matter before August sixth