The Burris farm wagons A collection of turn-of-the-century
farming and ranching machinery has been on display for the past
30 years at the Burris Ranch headquarters south of Albuquerque,
N.M., reminding passersby that agriculture was as diverse
historically as it is today. The farm implements and ranch
wagons belong to Elizabeth Burris, who moved with her late
husband, Weldon, to southwestern New Mexico in 1949 to establish
a cattle ranch. The fertile valley of northern Socorro County,
nourished by the Rio Grande River, supported the Pueblo Indians'
ancient farming practices and, since the time of Spanish
explorers, a rich ranching culture. The Burrises leased the
Lajoya Land Grant from its owner, a Montana man named Campbell
whose first name Mrs. Burris does not remember, although he was
known locally as 'Gen. Campbell.' In time, the couple bought the
Lajoya property, as well as other New Mexico ranches, including
the Lazy E near Deming, in Luna County on the Mexican border. In
1972, they received the farmin