The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-02-15
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.
Remarkable Fruit Region, IS Well rs fer
Agricultural Purposes, for Health, Etc.
From the Orange Judd Farmerl

From the Orange Judd Farmer.l
GRAND jus TON, Cslo., Jan. 81, 1890.
Ed. ORANGE JUDD FARMER: For some
time past have noticed in the leading pa
pers OF this State. and more especially in
the great dailies of Denver. glowing edi-
torialS and correspondents descriptions OF
the Grant Valley. Thinking there might
DO some.a.ng in that section which would
be of interest to your readers, your cerre-
spondent made trip over there with a
view OF inquiriny into facts and turnt.-l :
ing them to the public through the Columns
oil the q. j. Farmer.
Grand Valley. or that portion OF il en-
braced within tho confines of Mesa County.
extending from the town ef DeBeque to
some thirty miles west OF the city OF Gran q
Junction uhe county seat OF Mesa County .
did not at the first glance impress me favor
ably. The climate is particularly dry and
bracing, being the earest 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 fruit orchards and farms that have had
irrigation and cultivation ones hrst i'm
pressions fade fast away and he becomes
rapt in admiration OF the prolific soil. with
its wonderful productions OF fruit 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 or about 4.5UO feet above sea level.
and until a few years ago was occupied by
the Ute Indians Its soil Is rich and deep.
and its climate mild ard dry. having
neither extremes Of heat nor cold, and Is
free from hatlstorms, billiards or cyclones.
In short it is all that corid be- desired. and
b.liev. without single draw back. I'M
til within the past two years its possibili-
ties Embarrassing country were uh-
known, and IN fact not until the crops 81
the past year were harvested did it dawn
upon the residents of the valley tn at in its
fertile soil and magnificent climate the
GRAM Valley possesses greater sources OF
wealth and happiness than the rich min
orai camps Immediately surrounding 1T.
Peaches. pears, plum5, cherries, grapes.
especially AIose OF raisin varieties, and per-
res OF all kinds. yield abundantly. From D.
year old Dudded peach trees Wore gathered
this last fall 800 lbs. to the tree. and apples
even doubled that quantity. When it IS re-
memDered that in an 4. Ga OF country 700 to
1.2o0 miles immedi ately surrounding Colo
RADIO. though ricn in precious minerals and
settled by prosperous communities. yet
with tho exception of few localities OF
limited area this whole vast territory is
almost destitute Of fruit. and has to receive
its supply from California, then the impc~
lance and value OF a fruit gro owing country
which equals that of Cali.o rnia. situated
right in the midst Of this fruitiess country.
can be appreciated. For the consumptive
VINO has not entered upon the last stages OF
the disease. aud in fact TO nearly every other
invalid suffering from chronic diseases, this
valley VIII prove a veri liable paradise.
Not only does the region offer health. but
congenial easy outdoor occupation. and
a sure competence. As an evidence of this
fact | will cite one instance brought to
my own observation One citizen here,
over the age OF sixty years. with a para
iytc wife. with only d lew dollars capital to
start with. and not even u 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 Dy
year until his whole tract was planted
During that time Ae has supported himself
AMI taken care Of his Invalid wife by plant
ing other crops between his trees until they
were old enough 10 yield Here are the re-
suits: From his 5-year- old trees he gath
O. ed and sold over 500 worth OF fruit to the
acre. from his 4 year old trees about 1900
per acre. and rom his 3-year-o lds about
al5o per acre. His land las also increased
in value from So per acre to $1,000 per
acre, and he has now an assured income OF
$4,000 to "a 900 per year.
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 ttity to one hundred
dollars per acre and can be set out into
fruit orchards at about S35 per acre. and
made TO PAY their way by planting other
crops between tho rows. and in three wears
they will fe worth S4N to $500 per acre.
and will inc ease in value at the rate OF
800 per acre per year for several years
thereafter. while on account OF climate. AS
/ have said, this valley must tecome the
ia ise of the sick and enfeebled.
| do not wish to create the impression
that equal inducements ara not held out to
the robust. and especially to those who are
situated III countries that a-e subject to
Billiards. cyclones or extremes of heat or
cold. for besides the advantage of climate
offered. more 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
il large capital invested III stock and i'm pie
msnts Nor IS there danger Of the fruit in
du-try being over done. as to- day Califor-
MIA is shipping TO Il country seven hundred
miles nea or to Grand Valley than to Cali
foreia. ov ten million dollars worth OF
fruit per annum,
There is one advantage this valley pos
sesses | mus MT overlook, Ii has an ab I'M
dance IF water or irrigation purposes,
more IN fact than can ever bs used. While
70 far | have only SPOKEN of fruit in my
neNf | will have something TO say OF cereals
and vegetables. Your correspondent is
indebted to W. J. :. Mcfarland. the Secre-
tary of Grand Junction Board Of Trade.
fol valuable information. and any one ~
ficienty Interested in Grand Valley to
make inquiries will always fni him ready
to furnish such information as he may
have. ". W. T.