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cc r- C': -, c Despite the necessity ef transferring all rail freight from narrow gage to standard equipment, transportation facilitios aro ade- quato since perishables can be shipped efficiently through the avail- able trucking companies. Farms and Farmers There are approximately 400 farm holdings, averaging 150 acres each, in the project area in Colorado (not including lots in the town sites). Holdings comprised of irriGated or partly irrigated lands within the propesed conservancy district in Celorado totaled 227 in 1941, of which 43 contained less than 20 acres irrigated. In New Moxico, data obtained from tho 1938 tax rolls show 111 farms with an average helding of about 200 acres total. Of this number, 71 are listed as irrigated in whele er in part. The average irrigated hold- ing was about 53 acres. About one-third of the farms in both divi- sions are operated by tenants. Because of the long period of almost continuous dreught, recent sales ef good tillable lands with a water right brought from $9 to $15 per acre. It is reperted that since 1935 nearly all sales were for the purpose of satisfying tax delinquencies er mortgages. The following table shows farmers' estimates and assessed valuatiens per acre for varieus types of project land. Types Farmers' Estimates Assessed Valuations Ir~igated tillablo land Dry farm land Irrigated pasture G rtl zing la."ld $9.50 to $50.00 3.00 te 15.00 $20.00 10.37 11. 54 2.00 In recent years a considerable number of farms wore i'<l.le and many properties deteriorated badly. Even when farms were again cul- tivated in 1941 and 1942, settlers made few improvements or repairs on buildings, fences, and ditches. A review of the 1938 county rec ords showed that 24 percent of the farms in the Colerado division and 58 percent of the farms in the New Mexico division were mertgaged. These percentages have, however, been reduced by fereclesures. The Farm Security Administro.tion has made a number of loans in the area. The average tax levy for the 12 scheel districts in the Colorado Division was 36.60 mills for 1941. In New Mexico the 1941 levy aver- aged 24.16 mills, not including special taxes. During the extended drought years many farms were sold for taxes, but in 1937 and 1938 a numbe~ of farmers were able te pay back taxes and rogain pessession ef thei~ lands. Existing Irrigatiol2 Werks Existing irrigation werks in Celorado compriso 21 small canals diverting from La Plata River and three reservoirs with a total 9