The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-05-29
GRAND JUNCTION, colo.
Remarkable Fruit Region. as Well as for
Agricultural Purposes, for Health. Etc.


Agric uitural Purposes, for Health. Etc.
GRAND JUNCTION, CoLo., Jan. 81, 1890
ED. ORANGE JUDD FARMER: For some time
past have noticed In the leading papers Of this
State and more especially In the great zHatlies-
OF Denver, glowing editorials and correspond
ent's descriptions Of the Grand Valley. Think
ing there might be something In that section
which would be Of interest to your readers, your
correspondent made trip over there with
view OF inquiring into facts and furnishing them
TO the public through the columns Of the O. J
FARMER.
Grand Valley, or that portion Of II embraced
within the confines of, Mesa County, extending
from the town OF DeHeaue, to some 30 miles
West OF the city Of Grand junction tthe county
seat Of Mesa County, did not. at the FIRST
particularly dry and bracing, being the nearest
approach to perpetual sunshine found on this
continent; and whilst climate Of this kind is
especially healthful and congenial to the In
valid and by no means unpleasant even &c the
robust, without irrigation It is not congeniai to
plant life. But as zone looks over the fruit
orchards and farms that have had irrigation
and cultivation ones first impressions fade
fast awaygand he becomes rapt in admiration OF
the prolific SOIL with its wonderful productions
OF fruit and vegetation.
The Grand Valley is situated in Western
Colorado, on the line Of the Denver q Rio
Grande r. II. It has an average attitude OF
about 4 800 feet above sea level, and until few
years ago was occupied by the Ute Indians. Its
soil is rich and deep, and its Climate mild and
dry having neither extremes Of heat or cold,
and Is free from hailstorms, billiards. or cy-
clones. In short it is all that could be de-
sired, and believe, without a single drawback.
Until within the past two years its possibilities
as fruit-raising country were unknown, and
in fact not until the crops Of the past year were
harvested did 1t dawn upon the residents OF
the valley that In its fertile soil and mag
nif1cent climate the Grand Valley possesses
greater sources of wealth and happiness
than the rich mineral camps Immediately
It, peaShe plam c aaa
cites, and berries OF all kinds, yield abundantly.
From fve=year-old, budded peach trees were
apples even doubled that quantity. When It is
remembered that in On area Of country 700 to
200 Immediately surrounding Colorado, though
ricn IN precious minerals ana settled py pros
q few localities OF limited area this whole vast
territory is almost destitute OF fruit, and has TO
receive It's supply from California, then the Inn
portance and value OF a fruit-growing country
which equals that of California, situated right
In the midst OF this fruitless country. can be ap
preciated. For the consumptive who has not
In fact to nearly. every other invalid suffering
/ from chronic diseases, this valley will prove
veritable paradise
Not only does the region offer health, but
congenfal easy outdoor occupation, and sure
/ competence. AS an evidence OF this fact, will
cite one instance brought to my own observa-
| tion. One citizen here, over the age OF sixty
years, with paralytic wife, with only few
| dollars capital to start with, and not even a
morse 10 AID him, mas by mis- own eHOrbS put lnlQ
fruit ten-acre tract, setting out about two
acres the first year, and so on, increasing year
| by year until his whole tract was planted: Dur
taken care Of his invalid wife by planting other
crops between his trees until they were old
| enough to yield. Here are the results:, From
| his fveyear old trees he gathered and sold over
seven hundred dollars worth Of fruit to the
| acre; from his four yearold trees about three
hundred dollars per acre, and from his
! three year-olds about one hundred and fifty
dollars per acre. His land has also increased
J In value from twenty-five dollars per acre to
/ one thousand dollars per acre, and he has now
an assured income OF three to four thousand
This Is not an isolated case What this old
man has done, surely any one with reasonable
| energy and small capital can do. The best
/ fruit lands, under ditch, can still be bought at
| from fifty to one hundred dollars per acre. and
| can be set out into fruit orchards at about
/ their way by planting other crops between the
| fows, and in three years they will be worth
1 four hundred to five hundred dollars per acre,
hundred dollars per acre per year for several
| years thereafter, whilst on account Of climate,
| as have said. this valley must become the
| paradise OF the sick and enfeebled.
: do not wish to create the impression that
equal inducements are not held, out to the
robust, and especially to those who arc situated
cyclones Of extremes q heat or cold for beside
| the advantage Of climate offered moro money
| can be cleared on ten acres set out in fruit In
this Valley without the expense OF hired help,
than on many three hundred and twenty acre
farms with large capital invested In stock and
Implements Nor Isl there danger Of the fruit
| industry being over-done, as to-day California
| is shipping TO county seven hundred miles
! nearer TO Grand Valley than to California, over
ten million dollars worth OF fruit per annuml
There Is one advantage this valley possesses
] ! must not overlook; 1t has an abundance OF
water for irrigation purposes, more in fact than
| can ever be used. Whilst SO far I have only
i spoken Of fruit crops, in my next will have
/ something to say OF cereals and vegetables.
| Your correspondent is indebted to w, j. S. Nc
4 Farland the Secretary OF Grand junction
Board of Trade, for valuable Information, and
/ any one sufficiently interested in Grand Valley
to make inquiries, will always find him ready 70
/ furnish such Information as he may haye-W.
1 w. F., in Orange Judd Farmer.