THE IRRIGATION AGE. 421 



Main laterals 273 miles 



Sub-laterals 900 miles 



Total 1,294 miles 



With the exception of about ten miles, where the hills close in 

 upon the river between Seven Rivers and Carlsbad, and for abouu the 

 same distance near the Texas- New Mexico state line, the Pecos Val- 

 ley is wide and smooth, the land having just sufficient slope south- 

 ward and towards the river to insure perfect drainage and distribu- 

 tion of irrigating water. The soil, which is of remarkable uniformity 

 for so great an area as is included in the Pecos Valley, is warm, 

 loose and loamy, and of wonderful depth and richness. Its general 

 color is a light chocolate; but here and there, where disintegrated 

 gypsum a preventative of alkali, and a natural fertilizer is a com- 

 ponent part, it assumes a much lighter hue. This land through the 

 present system of irrigation has become very prolific and grains, 

 grasses, fruits, vegetables, etc., are raised in abundance. 



For years it has been known that apples of the finest quality 

 could be grown in the Pecos Valley, and that the yields were large 

 and unfailing; but it has remained for competent authority, within 

 the past year, to pronounce the Pecos Valley, and in particular its 

 upper portion, the finest apple country in the world. Mr. Parker 

 Earle, president since its organization in 1880 of the American Horti- 

 cultural Society, and a pomolosrist of wide reputation, and Messrs. 

 Stark Brothers, the prominent Missouri nurserymen and the largest 

 orchardists in the world, recently vistied the Pecos Valley. For 

 years these gentlemen had been seeking a locality where the apple 

 would grow in perfection, free from the blights and numerous dis- 

 eases to which it seems everywhere subject, and by which the coun- 

 try's apple crop is being steadily diminished in spite of the millions 

 of trees annually planted. These gentlemen, after a most thorough 

 investigation, are convinced that the Pecos Valley is the sought-for 

 place; and they state in the most unqualified terms that here are pro- 

 duced the finest apples they ever saw simply perfect in form, size, 

 color and flavor. Moreover, they found the trees many of which are 

 twelve years old and have borne eight consecutive full crops without 

 blemish of any kind whatsoever, proving that the insect pests and 

 fungoid growths, elsewhere so fatal to the apple, are here practically 

 unknown. These statements and opinions of men so widely known in 

 horticultural matters are most valuable, and speak volumes for the 

 Pecos Valley as a fruit-growing region. 



The value to the producer of a superior quality of apple is not ex- 

 ceeded by that of any other fruit; indeed, a prime apple orchard is to- 

 day worth more, acre for acre, than an orange grove. Apples pos- 

 .sessing the perfect keeping qualities of the Pecos Valley fruit have 

 the entire year for their season and the entire world for a market. 



