The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-02-15
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.
A Remarkable Fruit Region, as Well as for
Agricultural Purposes, for Health, Etc.


GRAND JUNCTION, CoLo., Jan. 81, 1890
Ed RANGE JUDD FARMER: For some time
past hav noticed in the leading papers OF this
State, ana more especially in the great Dailies
OF Denver glowing editorials and correspond
ont'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 q 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 It embraced
within the confines OF Mesa County, extending
from the town of DeBeque, to some 30 miles
West OF the city of Grand Junction (tho county
seat of Mesa County,, did not, ut the first
glance impress @ me d iayora ne S Geae Is
approach TO perpetual sunshine found on this
continent; and whilst climate of this kind is
especially hoalthful and congenial to the in
valid and by no means unpleasant even to the
robust, without irrigation IL Is not congenial to
plant life. But as one looks over. the fruit
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 q Rio
Grande r.. r. It has an average altitude OF
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, blizzards or cy-
clones. In short, it is all that could be de-
sired, and believe, without 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
nihcent climate the Grand Valley possesses
greater sources of wealth and happiness
than the rich mineral camps Immediately
ries, grapes, and especially those of rasin vari-
eties and berries of all kinds, yield abundantly.
From fiveyearold, 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 200 to
200 Immediately surrounding Colorado, though
rich in precious minerals and settled by pros
porous communities, yet with the exception OF
n 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 valueof q fruit-growing country
which equals that of California, situated right
in the midst of this fruitess country, can be ap.
preciated For the consumptivc who has not
entered upon the last stages OF the disease, ana
in fact to nearly every other invalid suffering
from chronic Diseases this valley Will prove
Not only does the region offer health, but n
congenial easy outdoor occupation, ana 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
horse to aid him, has by his own enortS put INTO
fruit o ten.acre tract, setting out about two
acres the first year, and SO on increasing year
ing that time he has supported 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 five-year.old trees he gathered and sold over
seven hundred dollars worth of fruit to the
acre; from his four-year.old trees about three
hundred dollars per acre, and from his
threc.year.olds about one hundred ana nifty
dollars per acre His land has also increased
in value from twenty-five dollars per acre TO
thDuSnnl dollars
an assured income OF three to four thousand
dollars per year.
man has done, surely any one with reasonable
energy and small capital can do. The best
fruit lands, under ditch, can Still be bought AZ
from fifty to one hundred dollars per acre, ana
can be set out into fruit orchards ut about
thirty five dollars per acre, and made to pay
their way by planting other crops between the
rows, and in three years they will be worth
four hundred to five hundred dollars per acre,
and will increase in value at the rate OF one
hundred dollars per acre per year for several
years thereafter, whilst on account of climate
as 1 have said. this valley must become the
paradise OF the sick and enfeebled.
1 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 are subject TO bizzards,
cyclones or extremes Of heat or cold, for beside
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 large capital invested in stock and
implements. Nor is there danger of the fruit
industry being oyerdone, as to-day California
is shipping TO a county seven hundred miles
nearer to Grand Valley than to California, over
ten million dollars worth of fruit per annum
There is one advantage this valley possesses
I must not overlook; It has an abundance OF
water for irrigation purposes more in fact than
can ever be used. Whilst so far have only
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
Farland, the Secretary of Grand Junction
Board of Trade, for valuable information, and
any one sufficiently interested in Grand Valley
to make inquiries, viii always find him ready to
furnish such information as he may have.-W.
w. F., in Orange Judd Farmer.