New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-18
A TRIP TO COLORADO.
yI.-PARMIsG IN COLORADO.

yL-PARMIsG IN COLORADO.
from Our sfesiAl Correspondent. go.
GoLpss CRY. G. T.. June 81. 1866
v,,,v ,bink that if those who SIX years ago saw
chin, I'm, arid hills and fields of cactus, forbidding cul-
,ivet,on could behold parts OF Colombo at present,
they would open their eyes IN asionlshment. Ny APP
proach 90 Denver did not furnish the least suggestion OF
farming and all the attempts which one sees from the
city are few patches of vegetables along the Platte
pu, agricultural interest, without when mining
community - remote this cannot subSis has really
reached development which is remarkable, when we
consider the dscougemens to which it has been sub
jected.
am fast ncning toward the opinion that there Is no
American Desert on this side Of the Rocky Mountains.
Belts Of arid and, sandy soil there certainly are, but
doubt If any OF these than 30 miles breadth,
while there are many points where unbroken line OF
habtable territory may be followed from the Missouri to
the base Of the mountains. | remember that as late as
1859 the lowest computation Of the extent of the Desert
was 300 miles; yet in the smoky HILL route | saw less
than 30 miles TO which the could properly be applied
What have since learned Of farming under these new
conditions Of climate and soil leads TO suspect tina.
time and settlement may subdue even this narrew belt
that there nav some day be groves and farms the tree
less plains that wheat may usurp the place OF buffalo
grass and potatoes drive out the cactus.
1t almost seems as il nature the habit Of making
Wild unpowed domains For few years tho settlers are
obliged TO battle with combination Of hostile influences
The drouihs Kansas the grasshoppers OF Utah and
Colorado exceptional agents, which have given false
impression in other parts OF the tniou found Kansas
as have noted land o rain OF soggy meadows,
and swollen streams lind Colorado, whore farming was
pronounced almost hopeless already crossed by zones OF
The richest agricultural promise The effect OF energy and
industry upon the soil shows s fruits the effect
OF cultivation upon climate Jan agency generally under
cstmaicdl Is yet 70 follow.
Two DAYS ago Capt Sopris took ont 10 his farm on
Clear Creek about i've miles from Denver. Crossing the
neWanl substantial plank bridge over the Platte we mrs.
glanced at the adjoining vegetable garden must con
fess, however that sunhowers than anything
else Only part OF the garden appeared to be cultivated
the soil was black and deep, and with proper care there
would be- but little limit TO ITS productiyeness The pro-
fusion of sunfowers mot an nd genous growth beeye
Is remarkable From Fort Riley TO the Rocky Mountains,
wherever wagon has made nut in the soil there springs
up rank hedge Of tho plant The pigweed, horse-weed
and datvra samopiHm are also rapidly advancing west
ward found them some distance ~ side OF Fort Els
Rising to what are called "the second bottoms'-a
gently inclined shelf extending from the mountains TO the
Platte, had Wow down the river and the first IN
dcatons OF farming. Near at hand was farm Of so
acres the OF which is ncosng the whole with
high post fence, at cost of about ~ 80 per rod neat
cottage farmhouse, at the commencement OF the nver-
bottoms pleasantly limited Of permanent occupation.
Beyond this farm still mostly in the rough, stretched
succession Of daTkgre fields Of wheat on both sides Of
the stream, which, divided into many arms. sparked be-
tween its islands and banks of cottonwood. The rising
grounds already beginning TO tawny under the
Summer SUM- and these lowlyng belts Of grain and trees
made dazzling contrast of color. For SOME miles down
the Platte could trace continuous line of farms and
presumption cabins.
The undulatng higher ground across which struck
in straight line toward Clear Creek, covered with
grass lupins, multitude of brilliant towering plants and
cactus. Dry IL appears, 1t furnishes good pasurage
during tho whole year, and irrigation will convert the
whole Of into rain-clds remember that my admira-
ton OF the agricultural capacities Of California, in 1919,
subjected 10 many derogatoy epithetsj hence,
who these brown plains at the end of Summer
may laugh ncredulousy when say that all the country
between the river and the mountains-evcy upland and
ridge where water eau be made TO ow-w in time be
rich farming region any IN tho East The capacity of
soil TO hold moisture will increase; trees will then grow
where ii would be hopeless to plant them hedges
will take tho place Of costly fences and tho character Of
the country will undergo a complete change.
Capt Soprss rancho is on blu overlooking the valley
Of Clear Creek From the window OF his paror looked
ont upon several miles OF beautiful wheat long pasture
ridge beyond and tho grand summit of Longs Peak In
the distance Ten farmers here have united their forces
and made often pes in length by which their fields
are irrigated The usual yeldof wheat under this sys.
ten, is 30 bushels the acre and the price, up this
time has ranged from TO % cents per pound You
that farming oven at the lowest rates, is good BUSH
ness IN Colorado Oats produce about 40, aud 50
bushels 10 the acre the.pncc ranging from - to g. per
bushel.
II is remark able how soon the farmers have adapted
themselves 10 the new conditions of thor occupation
They already prefer tho secure yield which ga
ton oilers, TO the uncertain prospects OF moro variable
climate a RrlaGp4 se9t w sKpsaiS |. as Goast!ga