I 4 o AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



feeding stock on adjacent range land or isolated mining camps. Dur- 

 ing the first years in such a section the local prices are based on cost 

 of products in some older producing section plus the freight. As soon 

 as the local production exceeds the local demand, a complete reversal 

 takes place and prices drop to a point which is determined by the 

 outside market prices less the freight. It is in this period of read- 

 justment to the new market conditions that the real and discouraging 

 hardships of the new settler are felt the tune when water payments 

 lapse and the less persevering give up the struggle. This period of 

 depression is a feature of the development of nearly every new irri- 

 gated section. 



The need of special crops or industries. Relief comes in finding 

 other crops that serve local purposes or that are of higher value, so 

 that they can bear the cost of transportation to outside markets and 

 yet leave the producer a profit for his labor. It is fortunately true 

 that many of our irrigated regions enjoy such favorable climatic con- 

 ditions as to permit the production of crops that thrive poorly or not 

 at all under rainfall agriculture. Such crops as dates, figs, olives, 

 English walnuts, and Egyptian cotton are pre-eminently suited to the 

 irrigated sections of the Southwest. Certain truck crops, such as 

 cantaloupes, asparagus, and Burmuda onions, may be put on the 

 market from our southern or southwestern irrigated lands at a season 

 when prices will cover the high cost of production and transportation. 



Many irrigated sections are situated in the midst of range lands 

 devoted to raising cattle, sheep, and horses. Irrigated agriculture 

 may supplement the grazing industry in a very profitable way. Live 

 stock may be produced cheaply on the range, but the cattle and sheep 

 need to finish their growth on grain and hay in order to bring good 

 prices in eastern markets. Also, the most economical use of the range 

 requires that the stock must be given some forage in addition to the 

 range during part of the year, whether sent to market or not. Most 

 irrigated land is well suited to alfalfa, which is one of the best meat- 

 producing forage crops. Likewise such dairy products as butter and 

 cheese find a ready market at any time and are so concentrated that 

 transportation charges are relatively small. Orchard fruits and truck 

 crops are much exploited as a means of large profits in favored sec- 

 tions. But many of the highly favored regions are small and defi- 

 nitely circumscrilx <1. Keener competition from eastern lands in the 

 production of such fruits as apples, pears, and peaches for eastern 

 markets is certain to come in the near future. 



