26 SOILS OF THE SAN LUIS VALLEY, COLORADO. 



There are more than 3,000 flowing wells within the valley furnish- 

 ing water of good quality for irrigation, except in the central and 

 lower part of the valley basin, where the water is dark colored and 

 often carries considerable quantities of gas and alkali. 



With proper drainage, accompanied by surface flooding, most of 

 the alkali areas of the valley may be reclaimed. 



The chief farm products are wheat, barley, oats, Canada field peas, 

 potatoes, and wild hay. Sugar beets, alfalfa, and hardy vegetables 

 constitute important products in restricted districts. Field peas are 

 utilized for feeding lambs and hogs, which, with cattle, constitute an 

 important source of income. 



The lighter gravelly soils of the foot slopes are not adapted to 

 permanent grain production, but may be utilized for this purpose 

 with careful irrigation and in rotation with field peas or other suit- 

 able crops. The alluvial soils of the stream and valley bottoms are, 

 under favorable conditions of drainage and irrigation, well adapted 

 to alfalfa, potatoes, root crops, grasses, and vegetables. Alfalfa 

 culture is capable of much wider extension under present conditions 

 upon the loams in the vicinity of the valley margins. 



Careful selection is necessary on the part of the home seeker pur- 

 chasing lands in the valley. He should possess sufficient capital to 

 construct necessary buildings, purchase equipment, install irrigation 

 and drainage, and to tide him over unproductive periods. 



Small local markets and distance from larger ones restrict the 

 cultivation of vegetables and truck crops. For the present the 

 settler should confine his efforts to the production of the staple crops, 

 grain, hay, forage, or root crops, with some live stock to consume 

 whatever surplus may be grown. 



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