Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-12-18
Colorado.

In an article on this country, the Net1
York Tribune says; OF these Territories,
Colorado is the most central and populous.
1t lies between the 37th and 4st parallels
of latitude, possesses climate corresponds
ing to that of Southern Pennsylvania and
Maryland, and contains an area of lll,700
square miles. It's position being central,
the great Highways between the ocean
boundaries Of the continent must pass
through its mountain gaps, and connect it
most intimately with the great commercial
emporiums OF both the East and VEST
The first settlers and explorers OF this Ter
ritory. devoted their whole attention TO-
mining and thus it came to be generally
believed that the country was worthless for
agricultural purposes The necessities Of
growing settlement, however, soon forced
the necessity of experiments on the value
of the soil; these have resulted most salts
faetorily, and the fact is now fully dethon-
strated that crops canbe produced success
fully in Colorado. In the report OF the
Surveyor General, we have the estimate
that there are not less than 4,000000 acres
of arabic lands.in the valleys and in the
river bottoms that can be profitably culti-
waited in cereals and vegetables. The yield
of grain has thus far averaged about thirty
bushels to the acre. The cultivation Of
fruit has not yet been attempted, but in all
kinds Of garden vegetables the yield is
large and of fair quality. For purposes of
grazing, the mountain slopes and plains
of Colorado, having a climate and pastur-
age not unlike those of West Virginia,
are fully equal to any portion OF our coun-
try.
The great mineral resources Of the ter
ritory, which first attracted the pioneer,
are acknowledged to pc practicable. II, Gold
and silver were first discovered in 1852 and
have since been found in all parts Of the
territory from the southern to the northern
boundary. The crude working of the mines
has fully demonstrated their wealth, ard
warrants the belief that, if worked skill
fully, they would prove to be among the
most profitable mineral deposits in the
world. Placer mines have already yielded
over $6,00Q000 the quartz lodes have
scarcely been iairly prospected. A few
quartz mills were erected before the war,
but the rebellion and the Indian troubles
which followed so seriously interfered with
mining operations that but little has yet
been accomplished. From this depression
the mining interests are now rapidly re-
covering. The shipments of precious
metals have, therefore, been small during
the past year, yet these have mostly in
creased, so that the shipments for Septem-
ber exceed three times those of June.
Previous to the middle of the summer only
seven mills were worked, while in October
eighteen were in successful operation.
Immense sums of money have been lost in
reckless speculation and unskilled effort;
but wherever reasonable care was taken 10
The employment of experienced miners,
juuicOus investment resulted prOfitably to
both capitalists and operators. The silver
mines have attracted the attention of pros
pectors, and as far as worked prove to be
rich and extensive. Next in Importance to
precious metals are-the coal deposits,
which crop out along the whole eastern
slope of the mountains from the Southern
border northward for a distance of two
hundred miles, and are of a superior
quality Of bituninous. Iron, copper and
lead also abound in connection with the
precious metals. Salt is found in both the
North and South Parks. At the South
& Park Spring works are being erected with
l capacity that will produce 10000 pounds
4, ofsalt per diem. Manufacturing interests
have received but little attention. The
mineral and agricultural developments,
however, will soon stimulate manufacture,
and the water power of Colorado will he
broken to the wheel of the factory, mill
and shop. --.. -,