Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-02-13
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.
Agricultural Purposes, for Health, Etc.
IFrom the Ora,<gs Judd Farmer.l


A Remarkable Fruit Region, rs Well as for
Agricultural Purposes, for Health, Etc.
[From the ora,<so Judd Farmer.l
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo, jan. 81, 1890.
Ed. ORANGE JUDD FARMER: For som,
time past have noticed in the leadin. pa
pers OF this State. and moe especially in
the great dailies OF Denver. glowing edi-
toriais and correspondent. descl .ptIons OF
the drand Valley. Thinking tbero might
be something in that section which would
be OF interest to your readers. your corre-
spondent made trip over there with o
view OF inquiring into facts and lurnish-
ing them to the public through the columns
OF the q. j. Farmer.
Grand Valley, or that portion ~ it em-
braced within the confines Of Mesa County,
extending from the town Of DeBeque to
some thi. ty miles west OF the city o Grand
Junction Qhe county seat of Aesa County,
dii not ut the first glance impress me Iavor-
ably. The climate is particular ly dry and
braeing, being the nearest approach to per-
petual sunshine found on this continent;
and while climate OF this kind is es.
pecially healthiul and congenial to the in
valid and by no means unpleasant even to
the robust, without irrigation 1t is not con-
genial to plant lie. But as one looks over
the fIuit orchards and farms that have had
irrigation and cultivation ones first inn
pressions fade fast away and he becomes
rapt In admiration Of the pi oliflc soil. with
its wonderful productions OF truit and veg
citation.
The Grand Valley is situated in Western
Colorado. on the line OF the Denver and
Rio Grande Railway. 1t has an average
altitude oil about 4.5y0 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 nor cold. and is
free from hailstorms, blizzards or cyclones,
In short it is all that cor Id be desired. and
/ believ., without single drawback. Un-
til within the past two years its possibili-
ties as a fruit raising country were un-
known, and IN fact net until the crops OF
the past year were harvested did it dawn
upon the residents OF the valley that in its
fertile soil and magnificent climate the
Grand Valley possesses greater sources OF
wealth and happiness than the rich min
eral camps Immediately surrounding it.
Peaches, pears, plums. Cherries. grapes.
especially those OF raisin varieties, and Der-
ries OF all kinds. yield abundantly. From s.
year old budded peach trees were gathered
this last tall 300 lbs. to the tree. and apples
even doubled that quantity. When it IS Ie-
membered that in an area OF country 100 to
1,2U0 miles Immediately surrounding Colo
RADIO. though rich in precious minerals and
settled by prosperous communities, yet
with the exception OF few localities OF
limited area this whole vast territory is
almost destitute of fruit. and has to receive
tance and value of a fruit-growing country
which equals that of Cali. ornia. situated
right in the midst OF this fruitless country.
can be appreciated. For the consumptive
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 vel eiitable paradise.
Not only does the region offer health. but
q congenial easy outdoor occupation and
sure competence. As an evidence OF this
g.. .;k {r,nt h.1sx IN
my own observation. One citizen here.
over the age of sixty years. with a para
iytic wife. with only few dollars capital to
start with, and not even u horse to aid him.
has by his own efforts put into fruit ten
acre tract, setting out about two acres the
first year. and 50 on. increasing year by
year until his whole tract was planted.
During chat time he has supported himself
and taken care Of his invalid wife by plant
ing other crops between his trees until they
were old enough TO yield: Here are the re-
suits: From his 5-year-old trees he gath
cred and sold over 800 worth Of fruit to the
acre; from his 4-year- old trees about $500
per acre; and from his 3-year- olds about
$50 per acre. His land has also increased
in value from $25 per acre to $1,000 per
acre, and he has now an assured income OF
$1,000 to $4,000 per year.
This is not an isolated case. What this
old man has done, surely any one with
reasonable energy and u small capital can
do. The best fruit lands. under ditch, can
still be bought at from fifty to one hundred
dollars per acre. aud can be set out into
fruit orchards at about S35 per acre, AND
made to pay their way by planting other
crops between the rows. and In three years
they will be worth S400 to $500 per acre.
and will increase in value at the rate OF
500 per acre ptr year for several years
thereafter, while on account of climate. as
l have said. this valley must become the
paradise of the sick and enfeebled.
I do not wish to create the impression
that equal inducements are not held out to
the robust. and especially to those who are
situated in countries that arc subject to
biizzards. cyclones or extremes OF heat or
offered, more money can be cleared on ten
acres set out in fruit In this valley without
tho expense of hired help. than on many
three hundred and twenty aci farms with
a large capital invested in stock and i'm pie
ments. Nor is thcre danger OF the fruit in
dustry being over done. as to-day Califor-
MIA is shipping to country seven hundred
miles nearer to Grand Valley than to Cali
fornia, over ton million dollars worth Of
fruit per annum!
There Is one advantage this valley pos
sesses must not overlook; it. has an abun-
dance OF water for irrigation purposes.
more in fact than can ever be used. While
SO far / have only spoken OF fruit. In my
next will have something to say OF cereals
and vegetables. Your correspondent Is
indebted to w. J. S. Mcfarland. the Secre-
tary OF Grand Junction Board OF Trade.
for valuable information. and any one SUI
ticiently interested in Grand Valley to
make inquiries will always find him ready
to furnish such information as no may
have. w. w. +.