184 THE DESERT AXD THE ROSE 



As a matter of fact the Mesilla Valley, taking 

 as its central point Las Cruces, lies ready to the 

 hand for development into a pleasure resort for 

 wealthy tourists. But the hand is itself conspicuous 

 by its absence. Home talent, even if by chance am- 

 bitious, is incapable of such far-seeing, wide-em- 

 bracing work, and has neither the necessary exper- 

 ience nor the faintest idea of the up-to-the-minute 

 tourist's demands. The Easterner in particular ex- 

 pects a good deal, whether he travel by rail or motor- 

 car. A certain small community not a thousand 

 miles distant was several years ago either exploited 

 by outsiders or exploited itself, and now reaps a 

 golden harvest. Its natural beauties which are not 

 greater than those of the Mesilla Valley — indeed 

 are in one respect inferior as it has not the attrac- 

 tion of a river bordered with cultivated farms- - 

 are made the most of. The large proportion 

 of the residents take pride in their homes 

 and one passes betwixt blooming gardens, 

 and houses, however small, architecturally taste- 

 ful, and rests in little parks, set out with shade- 

 trees carefully chosen for quick growth. The grav- 

 el trails which abound on all our western mesas are 

 widened into fine roads, and the scenic beauties 

 of the mountains are easily accessible either by pri- 

 vate car or public stage. There are hotels not only 

 run on up-to-date lines, but which please the eye 

 within and without. This pleasing of the eye is a 

 matter unwisely neglected in our section, rich 

 though it be in natural beauty. The tourist admires 

 mountain and valley, samples the small town with its 



