Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1941-02-26
Endless Variety Of Crops
Marks Bard's Production
Dates,
Citrus
Grown
Nv T. J. WORTHINGTON

spec acular crops ana
achievements has won such a
bright spot in the nations
agricultural picture that we
sometimes lose sight Of the
fact that Imperial county
contains another valley OF
great AGRICULTURAL worth.
Somewhat off the beaten track
the San Pasquale valley is located
in the eastern end of the county
and extends for about % miles
along the west bank of the Colo
RADIO river. A total CT about $4,000
acres OF rich alluvial soil has been
producing bountiful crops in this
area since the completion OF La
euna dam way back in 1910. Part
OF this irrigated acreage consists
OF allotted lands OH the Yuma IN
dian reservation. The major por-
ton constitutes what is known as
the Bard Irrigation district, che OF
the outstanding projects OF the US.
Bureau of Reclamation.
Here u sturdy type Of pioneer
farmer has made agricultural hist
CRY. The growing of wide range
OF crops, some semi-tropical in
character. has demonstrated the
fact that here Z kind Nature has
indeed been generous. Originally
the basic crops of this district We're
cotton and alfalfa A progressive
transition throughout the years has
wrought such Il change that the
district is nc I producing an endless
variety OF crops, some yet III an
experimental stage. but all showing
3 stability Tat euaratees an ever
widening field ri agricultural effort
and profit.
Sound Water Supply
With 3G5 growing days in the
year, bountitul and economically
sound water supply, an even climate
Tree from disturbing weather con-
CitionS, ideal means of transporta-
ton, an assured market, generally
speaking, Tree of unfavorable COM
petition or other restrictive ele-
ments, the Bard farmer has a fav-
ored status not enjoyed by many
agricultural groups in the nation,
Here, dates are harvested, equal
and in some instances superior to
those grown elsewhere in the south
west This is but one of the semi
tropical products raised in this sec
ton; citrus equaling the best, on
the market is another Melons, flax,
hay and other forage crops. garden
truck including spectacular crops
of lettuce, and many other COM
mcdites are raised in endless pro-
fusion.
One of the outstanding and
unique farm products of this area
is its annual harvest of alfalfa seed.
This difficult crop, produced COM
mercially in but few favored spots
III the west. is a money making
standby that gives the producer an
ever welcome and assured profit.
H. addition to such favored farm
ing conditions the Bard section en-
joys an excellent home environ
ment. Modern schools, we'll equip
ped and stated: churches and other
cultural advantages have not been
lest sight OF by the ever busy Bard
farmer.
Among Oldest
The Bard Irrigation district is
one of the Oldest reclamation pro-
iects in the southwest. Laguna dam,
present source of its water supply
is che of the first great diversion
dams built OH the Colorado river.
The project is said to be the SHOW
project of the Bureau of Reclama-
ton.
District Indebtedness to the bu-
reau already has been 971s per cent
liquidated. Water costs to the farm
er average but $3.50 per acre per
annum. District participation in the
profits from sale of surplus power
by the federally owned Syphon
Drop power plant will continue in
the future as in the past to tighten
the annual expense budget OF the
Bard farmer.
That the U. S. Department OF
Agricultural recognizes the unique
advantages of this section is proven
bv the fact that one of the Oldest
of the seven Agricultural DepIrt-
ment experimental stations on us.
Bureau of Reclamation projects is
located at Bard However this is
not a local" institution. Under its
supervision is carried on expert
mental research for the entire
southwest and in cooperation with
the other six stations for the entire
United States.
When in those early years just
after the turn of the century the
then U. S. Reclamation department
took advantage Of favorable legi-
station and authorized construction
of Laguna dam and the Yuma
project, treaty was effected
with the Yuma Indians whereby
certain lands adjacent to the pres
ent Yuma allotted area were thrown
open TO white settlement in 20 and
40 acre tracts.
Self adm Mustered
This new agric ultural area now
:. known as the Bard district was
thus made an intregal part OF the
larger Yuma project and for many
years was administered directly by
the Reclamation department. About
1928 the present Bard Irrigation
district was formed and the adj
ministration of the district was thus
given into the hands of the farm
lot