The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-11-14

| oiLNEklON, OOisO.s NoN. iots iOoV'
| DEAR EDIToRs:- Thinking perhaps
some of your subscribers might be interest
| ed in reading a tourists notes. taken while
en- trip "Around the Circle" a fayorite
Colorado trip for tourists,is my only reason
| for sending you sample copy" III you
think the intelligent readers of The TIMES
will care for ''second Dose" let me know
and will send you continuation OF my
| grab bag notes at same rate as before.
In the first place few words in regard to
the state at large.
Colorado, the Centennial State, situated In
| the heart of the greatest country OH earth,
| and peopled with the most energetic and
progressive inhabitants of all the western
states has absolutely limitless resources OF
wealth. Till late years Colorado has been
regarded as the ''far west" but the railroads
are fast gridiOrning the state and bringing
within its borders prospect0r, capitalist,
tourist and hOmesteader. Colorado Is en-
phatically an agricultural State, as her large
crops of grain, grass, fruit and vegetables
abundantly prove.
The soil of the state is somewhat decep-
tive to the eve, especially when covered
with sage brush, but 1t is very rich and
when under cultivation grows every kind OF
fruit and grain that is raised In the eastern
states. Whenever the soil is reached by
irrigation crops are never a failure, and are
usually very abundant.
Two, three and even four crops of Alfalfa
and clover will grow here I'm a season.
Wheat often yields 40 to so bushels per acre.
have seen oats that stood feet high,
heads were 16 inches long, weighed 40 lbs.
to the bushel, and threshed so bushels to
the acre. Potatoes will average $50 bushels
per acre. This year prize acre of potatoes
near Del Norte yielded 80, $50 pounds of p0-
tatOes, 81 of which were marketable. l
knew of four acres of potatoes hear Greedy
that sold for 81, 900 i'm Sept. Vegetables of
all kinds are of the finest quality, and grow
to an enormous size. No finer fruit Is grown
in the country than is marketed at Canon
city and MOntrOse in this state. l have
weighed apples that turned the scales at ID
ounces, while peaches, pears, grapes, etc.
are grown in great variety. In small fruits
big interest is made on the Investment
every year. Men with the push and
energy of Van Hoten would soon get rich
with berries never less than Is cents a box.
A very important factor with the Colorado
farmer is the home market. The large
mining and manufacturing industries give
to the farmer sure market and good prices
The result is i'm a few years, starting perhaps
OH pre-empted land with only few dollars
on money, finds him with good home, inn
proved farm and out of debt have seen
farms of 100 acres that cleared SO, 1000 in one
season. Hay ranches that cost So, 900 pay
for themselves the first year. So l might
go on giving instances that go to prove Col
OradO.tO be the best agricultural state jim the
Union when you consider irrigation, soil,
prices and climate. The following prices
obtained at Montrosc, and are what are
paid to the farmers for produce: Wheat
$l.75 per cwt., corn, S1.50 per cwt., oats,
$1.50 per cwt., hay per ton, $15 to $40,
butter, 40c. per ID, eggs, % to soc. per
doZ., chickens, SOC. each. Prices of land
vary according to location and improvement,
from SIS to $500 per acre. The stock indus
try has somewhat changed. Great ranges
ere now cut up into small ranches, but every
farmer has his herd of cattle and horses and
some of the stock companies still count their
herd by the thousand. Wool growing is also
one of the most important industries of the
state, but am not posted in particulars.
In her minerel wealth Colorado stands SUI
premely at the head. 1t is impossible to APP
proximate the mineral wealth of the state,
it is simply stupenduous. The manufacture
ing interests of the state are in very flour
ishing condition and increasing rapidly.
My few lines have grown into pages and L
will perhaps continue at some future day.
Yours truly,
TONTINE.