Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-03-29
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.
Asoir Frnit Region, as well
tor Agricultural Purposes.
sci Ha.I,a.

/ NJ
Yer, glowingeditorials and corresnon nd
my TaI descriptions of the Grand Valley.
linking there might be something in
mat section which would be OF inter
ese 70 your readers, your correspond-
ent made a trip over there with n view
oi ihquirlng into facts and furnishing
ahem to the public through the col.
unlns OF the o. j. FARMER.
Irand Valley, or that portion Of II
embraced within the confines OF Mesa
county, extending rom the town of
Debe.qne, TO some thirty miles West of
the city of Grand Junction lthe county
seat OF Mesa county,, did not, at the
mrs. Irst glance, impress me favorably.
ne climate is particularly dry and
oraclng, being the nearest approach
70 perpetual sunshine found ON this
continent and whilst climate ofthis
KIND - especially healthful and con.
GENIAL to the invalid and by no means
unpleasant even to the robust, with
out irrigation it is not congenial to
plant life. But as one looks over the
iruit orchards and farms that have
mad irrigation and cultivation, ones
,irst Impressions fade fast away and
ne becomes rapt in admiration of the
prolific soil, with its wonderful pro.
duetions OF fruit and vegetation.
The Grand Valley Is situated in
Western Colorado, on the line OF the
Denver and Rio Grande r. r. 1t has
an average altitude OF about a 500
ieet above sea level, and until a few
Years ago was occupied by the Ute
Indians. Its soil is rich and deep, and
IT'S climate mild and dry, having
neither extremes OF heat or cold. and
IS Tree from hailstorms, billiards or
cyclones. In short it is allthat could
be desired, and | believe, without a
single drawback. Until within the
past two years its possibilities as a
iruit.raising country were unknown,
and IN TACT not until the crops OF the
past year were harvested did il dawn
upon the residents OF the valley that
IN us fertile soil and magnificent eli
mate the Grand Valley possesses
greater sources OF wealth and happi-
ness than the rich mineral camps inn
mediately surrounding it. Peaches,
pears, plums, cherries, grapes, and
especially those OF raisin varieties,
and berries Of all kinds, yield abund-
antly. From tive-Year-old, budded
peach trees were gathered this last
Fall 800 lbs TO the tree, and apples
even doubled that quantity. When it
Is remembered that in an area ofeoun-
try 700 to 1000 miles Immediately
surrounding Colorado, though rich in
precious minerals and settled by pros.
porous communities, yet with the ex.
ception OF few localities OF limited
area this whole vast territory is al.
most destitute OF fruit, and has to
receive its supply from California,
then the Importance and value OF
truit.growing country which equals
that OF California, situated right in
the midst OF thi. fruitless country,
can be appreciated. For the con-
who has not entered upon
the last stages of the disease, and in
fact TO nearly every other invalid
suffering from chronic diseases, this
valley will prove a veritable paradise.
Not only does the region offer health,
but congenial easy outdoor occupa-
ton, and sure competence. As an
evidence OF this fact, will cite one
instance brought to my own observa-
ton. One citizen here, over the age OF
sixty years, witha paralytic wife, with
only few dollars capital to start with,
and not even n horse to aid him, has |
by his own efforts put into fruit a ten.
acre tract, setting out about two acres
the first year, and so on, increasing |
year by year until his whole tract was
planted. During that time he has
himself and 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 5.year-old trees he gathered |
and sold over seven hundred dollars
worth OF fruit to the acre; from his
trees about three hun
bred dollars per acre, and from his
.hree. year.olds about one hundred and
fifty dollars per acre, His land has
also increased IN value from twenty
i've dollars per acre to one thousand
dollars per acre, and he has now an
assured income of three to four thou
sand dollars per year
This is not an isolated case. What
his old man has done, surely any one
with reasonable energy and a small
,apital can do. The best fruit lands,
inder ditch, can still be bought at
rom fifty to one hundred dollars per
.cre, and can be set out into fruit
orchards at about thirty-fve dollars
,er acre, and made to pay their way
" planting other crops between the
ows, and in three years they will be
worth four hundred to FIVE hundred
dollars per acre, and will increase in
,alue at the rate OF one hundred dol
AIRS per acre peryear for several years
hereafter, whilst on account of CHM
he. as have said, this valley must
,ecome the paradise of the sick and
nfeebled.
/ do not wish to create the impress
ion that equal inducements are not
eld out to the robust, and especially
q those who are situated in countries
hat are subject to billiards., cyclones
r extremes OF heat or cold, for beside
he advantage OF climate offered, more
,oney can be cleared on ten acres set
nj in fruit in this Valley without the
ypense Of hired help, than on many
hree hundred and twenty acre farms
.ith a large capital invested in stock
nd implements. Nor is there danger
& ths fruit industry being over-done,