AGRICULTURE. , 23 



moisture-retaining capacity of the porous soils. Canada field peas are 

 usually sown with oats for feeding lambs or hogs. The crop is 

 harvested by turning the lambs into the field, followed by the 

 hogs, or it may be cut and thrashed. Feeding or finishing of lambs 

 and hogs, an industry of much local importance, has resulted from 

 the introduction of this crop. The practice is to be commended as 

 tending to maintain the soils in a productive condition. The field pea 

 is best suited to loam soils of medium heavy texture. It may be grown 

 upon a variety of soils of lighter character, but in this case often 

 produces a poor growth of vine. The heavy soils of high moisture 

 capacity and organic content tend to produce an abundance of vege- 

 tation at the expense of seed. 



Wild hay is harvested in large quantities, both for feeding within 

 the confines of the valley and for shipment to mining camps or other 

 outside markets. It is of excellent quality, being usually preferred 

 to alfalfa, and commands a high price. Drainage of the wild hay 

 lands would diminish the production of wild hay, but would render 

 the land now devoted to this purpose available for some other crops. 



While alfalfa is. not in as great local demand as the native hay, 

 heavier yields of greater value could be obtained. The lighter soils 

 of the San Luis series are not so well adapted to the crop as the soils 

 of the Rio Grande series, or other brown or dark-colored alluvial 

 loams of the northern part of the valley. The greater part of this 

 district is at present unsuited to alfalfa production, since the plant 

 roots deeply and requires well-drained soils. Though a good stand 

 may occasionally be secured, the plant dies as soon as the roots reach 

 the zone of saturation. Alfalfa culture should find a favorable field 

 for extension in the districts covered by the light-brown to dark- 

 colored loams of medium to heavy texture covering the valley mar- 

 gins, such as occur about Swede Corners, Saguache, and Mirage, in 

 the northern part of the valley. 



Potatoes are quite widely grown. The most favorable conditions 

 for this crop are found in the soils of the Rio Grande series in the 

 southwestern and in the related alluvial loams of the northern part of 

 the valley. Under favorable conditions of irrigation and drainage 

 the yields are unusually high and the tubers of excellent quality. 

 Sugar beets are not extensively grown, except in the vicinity of the 

 sugar factory at Monte Vista, but extensive soil areas in the vicinity 

 of Veteran Schoolhouse. Swede Corners, Saguache, Warner School, 

 and Mirage are well adapted to the production of this crop. With 

 improvement in drainage conditions the crop could be extended to 

 much of the lower and northern-central parts of the valley. Field 

 and sweet corn, milo, kafir, and similar crops rarely mature, but are 

 suited to the heavier soils of the valley and produce a heavy growth 

 of vegetable matter suitable for forage or silo purposes in connection 



