THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



25 



Presbyterian Church, Ranches, Taos Valley. 



and water contribute to the success of 

 these industries. 



Live stock raising is yet an impor- 

 tant industry although the higher returns 

 from ground cultivation has detracted 

 from its former prominence in the valley. 

 Hog cholera is unknown as are many 

 of the other ailments to which stock in 

 eastern communities is liable. 



In the direction of new industries and 

 better means of transportation the Taos 

 valley looks with satisfaction at the de- 

 velopments of the past year. The St. 

 Louis, Rocky Mountain & Pacific Rail- 

 road has constructed its line to within a 

 few miles of Taos and it is confidently 

 predicted that this work will be completed 

 within a twelfth-month. It is anticipated 

 that through this easier method of en- 

 trance large numbers of settlers will be 

 induced to investigate the lands. It is 

 also probable that the Denver & Rio 

 Grande will shortly begin construction of 

 a line through this district. 



Local commercial organizations, aid- 

 ed by the Ranches Orchard & Land Com- 

 pany, are rapidly closing negotiations for 

 the various industries required to utilize 

 the sugar beets, grain and live stock with- 

 out the expense of shipment to distant 

 points. Aided by the demand for manu- 

 factured supplies the retail interests in 

 towns and villages are rapidly expanding 





sent experts to plant and cultivate the growing orchards and from their methods an( j increasing in number. The mechanic 

 the less experienced settlers are enabled to gather many valuable facts, and in- and artisan finds a ready market for his 

 formation that shall result in maximum 

 crops. 



C. E. Watson, of Chicago, has re- 

 cently visited the valley on a tour of 

 inspection to the 1,280 acres of orchard 

 planted this year under his direction. He 

 is optimistic as to the future and states 

 that the crops throughout the entire val- 

 ley are giving most bountiful harvests this 

 year. When it is considered that Mr. 

 Watson is not only an expert in the 

 grading of apples and has backed his long 

 experience by buying Taos lands, hi 1 .' that 

 he is also investing more than a quarter 

 of a million of dollars in his ranch, t 

 must be admitted by the most skeptical 

 that fruit lands in this section give prom- 

 ise of lucrative returns. 



For those settlers who find them- 

 selves unable to await the products from 

 the orchard, because of limited finances, 

 the market for garden truck, potatoes, 

 small fruits and vegetables gives promise 

 of speedy returns upon investment. Prices 

 for produce are high, due to the demand 

 not only from residents of villages within 

 the valley, but also from those districts 

 surrounding where agriculture is impos- 

 sible. Peas, potatoes, corn, oats, barley 



and alfalfa give large yields and the small 



farmers are enabled to market readily and 



without heavy expense of transportation. Reports of wheat 



yields show from fifty to sixty bushels, weighing from fifty 



to sixty-five pounds, and of a quality that creates a ready 



market. 



Aside from earth products, there are other important 

 industries in the valley. N'o more favorable conditions 

 can be found for bee culture, poultry raising or dairying. 

 Returns upon money so invested, as shown by actual re- 

 sults, are beyond the most optimistic conceptions of 

 eastern producers. Almost continuous sunshine, a lux- 

 uriant growth of grasses and flowers, and both pure air 



Mexican Ranch, Rancho:. 



services in the construction of business and residence build- 

 ings. 



Manager Joe B. Warner, who has charge of the Den- 

 ver office for the Ranches Orchard & Land Company, 

 and who is manager for the company at Taos, has lately 

 returned from a trip of inspection to determine what steps 

 may be taken to hasten the company's construction work 

 and thereby to increase the acreage available for cultiva 

 tion. In a letter dated at the Denver office, 625 Common- 

 wealth building, he states that all crops in the Taos valley 

 will be above the normal this year and that farmers and 

 citizens alike are enjoying the fruits of great prosperity. 



