The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-02-26
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.
/ Remarkable Fruit Region, ~ Well ~ fec
Agricultural 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 Dailies
Of Denver, glowing editorials and correspond
ents 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. ]
FARMER.
Grand Valley, or that portion Of 1t embraced
within the confines Of Mesa County, EXTENDING
from the town Of DeBeque, to some 30 miles
West Of the city Of Grand Junction (the county
seat Of Mesa County,, did not, at the first
glance, imG-ess me favorably The climate Is
particularly dry and bracing, being the nearest
approach to perpetual sunshine found on this
continent; and whilst climate Of this kind 10
especially healthful and congenial to the In
valid and by no means unpleasant even 10 the
robust, without irrigation 1t is not congenial to
orchards and farms that have had irrigation
and cultivation, ones first impressions fade
fast away and he becomes rapt in admiration OF
the prolific soil, with its wonderful productions
The Grand Valley Is situated in Western
Colorado, on the line OF the Denver g. Rio
Grande r. R. 1t has an average altitude OF
about 4,500 feet above sea level, and until few
years uBO was OCCuplcu NY tuC StO luuiuuo. I've
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, 1t Is all that could be de-
sired, and believe, without single drawback
Until within the past two years its possibilities
as q Embarrassing country were unknown, ana
in fact not until the crops Of the past year were
harvested did it dawn upon the residents OF
the valley that in its fertile soil and mag
nifcent climate the Grand Valley possesses
greater sources Of wealth and happiness
than the rich mineral camps Immediately
surrounding it, Peaches, pears, plums, cher.
cites, and berries OF all kinds, yield abundantly.
From five-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 Of country 700 to
100 Immediately surrounding Colorado, though
rich in precious minerals and settled by pros.
porous communities, yet with the 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 i'm.
portance and value Of fruit-growing country
which equals that Of California, situated right
In the midst Of this fruitess country, can be ap.
preciated. 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
veritable paradise. 80
Not only does the region offer health, but q
congenial easy outdoor occupation, and sure
cite one instance brought to my own observa
ton. One citizen here, over the age OF sixty
years, with o paralytic wife, with only few
dollars capital to start with, ana not even
horse to aid him, has by his own efforts put into
fruit q 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
ing that time he has supported himself anC
crops between his trees until they were ole
enough to yield. Here are the results: From
his fve-year- old trees he gathered and sold ovel
seven hundred dollars worth OF fruit to TIT
acre; from his four -year-0ld trees about three
hundred dollars per acre, and from hi
three yearolds about one hundred and nifty
dollars per acre. His land has also increased
in value from twenty-five dollars per acre II
one thousand dollars per acre, and he has now
an assured income Of three to four Thousand
dollars per year.
This is not an isolated case. What this ole
man has DONE surely any one with reasonable
fruit lands, under ditch, can still be bought a
from fifty to one hundred dollars per acre. ant
can be set out into fruit orchards at abou
thirty five dollars per acre. and made to pa.
their way by planting other crops between tn,
four hundred to five hundred dollars per acre
and will increase in value at the rate Of on
hundred dollars per acre per year for severa
years thereafter, whilst on account of climate
as have said this valley must become tn
paradise of the sick and enfeebled.
do not wish to create the impression tina
equal Inducements are not held out TO TN
robust, and especially to those who are situate'
in countries that are subject to billiards
cyclones or extremes OF heat or cold, for besid
the advantage Of climate offered, more none
can be cleared on ten acres set out in fruit II
this Valley without the expense of hired help
than on many three hundred and twenty acr
farms with large capital invested in stock an
implements Nor is there danger Of the frui
industry being overdone, as to-day Californi
is shipping TO county seven hundred mile
nearer to Grand Valley than to California, owe
ten million dollars worth Of fruit per annuml
There is one advantage this valley possesse
must not overlook; 1t has an abundance Q
water for irrigation purposes, more in fact tina
can ever be used. Whilst so far / have onl
spoken of fruit crops, in my next will hav
something to say OF cereals and vegetables
, Your correspondent is indebted to W. j. S. Nj
Earland the Secretary Of Grand Junctio
Board of Trade, for valuable information, an
any one sufficiently interested in Grand Vale
; to make inquiries, will always find him ready I
furnish such information as he may have.-W
w. F., in Orange Judd Farmer