'1HE IRRIGATION AGE. 423 



They can be shipped from the Pecos Valley to Europe, via Gal- 

 veston, at no greater cost than from Michigan. It is believed that 

 *500 net yearly per acre from a Pecos Valley apple orchard is a con- 

 servative and altogether safe figure. One apple orchard a few miles 

 south of Roswell, owned by J. J, Hagerman, contains over 500 acres. 

 In the warm, sandy soil of the Valley the peach attains a perfec- 

 tion of development nowhere excelled. Fully equalling the choicest 

 California product in form, size and color, in flavor it far surpasses. 

 The peach crop of the past season was the greatest in the history 

 of the valley. So great was the crop that the growers were unable to 

 handle it to the greatest advantage, as they had not made prepara- 

 tions for so great a yield. I myself saw peaches there that measured 

 11 inches in circumference, and a wife of one of the growers said they 

 had some that would measure 14 inches. Some of the trees brought 

 $9.00 per tree. 



Among other fruits successfully grown in the Valley, we may 

 name the fig, grown in the second year fron planting; together with 

 the pear, plum, cherry, apricot, quince, nectarine, and prune. It is 

 believed that the olive will be successful ; and among the nuts, the 

 pecan and the English walnut will be paying crops. 



In October, 1893, Francois Gos, French, commissioner sent to the 

 United States to Study the wild vine growths of the country, visited 

 the Valley. He is one of the leading authorities on vine growing, 

 owns one of the largest vineyards in France, and publishes a viticul- 

 tural journal. After examining the soil and driving over the country, 

 he said, according to an interview published in the Pecos Valley Argus: 

 "This is the true vine soil. I think if you would plant nothing but 

 vines in the Valley it would become one of the most famous sections 

 in the world. All the land I have seen seems adapted to vines. " 



Of the forage crops, the foremost is alfalfa, which grows in pro- 

 lific abundance, yielding from 5 to 6 tons per acre. Sown the pre- 

 vious fall, or in March or April, it usually yields the first summer 

 crops that sell for enough to pay the entire expense of labor, plowing, 

 ditching, sowing, water rent, irrigating and marketing, leaving 

 enough for forage for team and cow. The field serves for winter 

 pasturage. Thereafter, the stand having been secured, no sowing or 

 plowing is necessary, and the crop gives an annual profit of from *:2f> 

 to *30 per acre, if sold at $3 per ton. For fattening parposes alfalfa 

 has no superior, and by feeding to cattle and hogs an unlimited mar- 

 ket may be relied on. Hogs, in particular, thrive upon it and need no 

 other feed, except for hardening purposes towards the last. 

 Indian corn is also a fine crop. In most parts of the Valley it grows 

 luxuriantly, yielding from 50 to 65 bushels per acre and often attain- 

 ing a height of 12 to 13 feat. Egyptian corn is also an important for- 

 age crop. It is especially adapted to the soil and clima te of the arid 

 region. It is easy to raise and a sure crop, is relished by all stock, 



