18 



THE CENTRAL RIO GRANDE VALLEY 



Fred Har\ey Indian Building 



in the list of impor- 

 tant horticulture pro- 

 ducts is the grape. 

 Around Bernalillo 

 and in the vicinity of 

 Belen and Los Lunas 

 are large vineyards 

 which produce boun- 

 tifully and almost 

 without record of a 

 failure. Grape grow- 

 ing was introduced 

 iu this valley by the 

 early Spanish Mis- 

 sionaries, the taste- 

 ful mission grape 

 deriving its name 

 from the mission 

 fathers who first planted it. This grape is a splendid table variety and 

 is very popular. The so-called California varieties also flourish although 

 they are not extensively grown as yet. The culture is all on the stump 

 system and the yield from old bearing plants is from 30 to 50 pounds 

 to the plant. Six hundred or more vines may be planted to the acre. 

 The grapes now grown are chiefly mid-season varieties and the shipping 

 season is therefore short. With the introduction of earlier and later 

 ripening varieties the season will be extended and the profits increased. 

 The growing of small fruits, strawberries, blackberries, etc., has not 

 been undertaken on an extensive scale as yet, although all experiments 

 thus far have proven successful. 



Flower culture offers a profitable and pleasing field in this valley. 

 Several successful hot houses and green houses are being conducted 

 although these are not able to supply even the local demand for cut 

 flowers and potted plants. The growing of roses and all the familiar 

 garden flowers is easy and in Albuquerque many of the homes on the 

 older residence streets are framed in luxuriant climbing roses and 

 decorative vines and surrounded by handsome lawnis and attractive 

 flower gardens. By proper attention to seeding flowers may be had 

 in the garden from the first days of spring until late in November. 



The following figures give a few actual results which have been 

 accomplished in tlie Central Rio Grande Valley from the field and truck 



garden. They are carefully compiled* 

 SOME ACTUAL RESULTS from statements by reliable farmers and 

 IN DOLLARS gardeners and may be easily verified: 



Alfalfa — Average yield per acre per 

 season, 6 tons. Cost of production per acre per season, $5. Average sell- 

 ing price, per ton. $13. Cost of baling, per ton, $1.50. Average net 

 profit per acre per season, $54.00. 



