24 



THE IREIGATION AGE. 



From the site of this ancient seat of learning there 

 now springs a new civilization founded upon the pulsating 

 energy of a white race. Already the valley of the Taos 

 has been reclaimed from its dilapidation and decay. New 

 towns and villages are assuming form. The modern im- 

 plement, the modern method, and, greatest of all, the 

 modern brain are developing this valley into an earthly 

 Elysium. Fields are being reclaimed from long aridity, 

 substantial construction, based upon more modern lines, 

 is supplanting the old canals; thousands instead of hun- 

 dreds of acres are smiling under their loads of fruit and 

 grains. 



To the Ranches Orchard & Land Company, headed 

 by A. L. Barker, of Hopkinton, Iowa, must be given 



acre of ground under the company's control has been 

 purchased." When asked as to the progress of construc- 

 tion work, he said: 



"Within a few weeks we will be able to place on the 

 market a tract of about 7,500 acres into which we are 

 now completing a ditch about eight miles long. We also 

 contemplate the construction of a ditch from the Ranches 



Where Kit Carson Made His Home in Taos Valley. 



much of the credit for the development 

 of lands in the Taos valley and the rapid 

 growth of the various communities within 

 this district during the past few years. 

 Until this company, whose officials were 

 confident of the success of their project, 

 had invested large sums of money to car- 

 ry water to fields distant from the Pueblo 

 river, there was a comparatively small 

 part of the valley under cultivation. But 

 since the date of the company's initial 

 operations the growth has been steady 

 and rapid. 



Nearly 10,000 acres of land have been 

 reclaimed by the Ranches Orchard & Land 

 Company, but its operations had been 

 conducted so quietly and with so little 

 effort at publicity that the eastern world 

 knew nothing of its rapid work. At- 

 tracted by the rumors of peace and plenty 

 in a valley far removed from railroads, 

 numerous travelers made the journey only 

 to become enamored of the climate, the 

 scenery and the general air of good cheer 

 and contentment, and, finally, to settle 

 upon the fertile acres for a life of seren- 

 ity and comfort. 



But with the influx of the more com- 

 mercially inclined, the valley has begun 

 a boom which promises to make it the 

 greatest orcharding district in the United 

 States. Scientific methods have been in- 

 troduced in a manner and on so exten- 

 sive a scale that a few years must bring 

 an enormous production of tree fruits. 



"We need little advertising," said President Barker 

 during a recent visit in Chicago. "Taos lands and prod- 

 ucts are doing more publicity work for our company than 

 might be gained from a thousand columns of newspaper 

 space. Settlers on the Ranches Orchard & Land Com- 

 pany's tracts are satisfied, yes, more than satisfied, they 

 are enthusiastic. Their personal letters to their friends 

 or relatives in the east or the middle west have brought 

 a steady stream of buyers into the valley. Nearly every 



Group of Citizens of Taos Valley, including Indian. 



river to reclaim about 2,500 acres, although this work is 

 now just beginning. There are nearly 300,000 acres of 

 irrigable land in the Taos valley and the company will 

 continue its work until 30,000 families are supplied with 

 homes and the present towns and villages shall grow to 

 thriving cities." 



Engineers' Camp on Property of the Ranchos Orchard & Land Co. 



Investors in the Taps orchard lands are strong in 

 their praise of this locality. They point to the fact that 

 in some of the parts where irrigation has been practised 

 for many years there is no record of even a partial 

 failure of the fruit crop. The attention of experts in apple 

 growing has been directed to this valley and it is recorded 

 that numerous easterners of means have purchased large 

 tracts upon which to grow apples and peaches for an 

 exclusive eastern demand. These heavy producers have 



