Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-02-21
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.
A Remarkable Fruit Region, as well
as for 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 Den
yer, glowing editorials and cores
pondents descriptions of the Grand
Valley. Thinking there might be
something in that section which would
be of interest to your readers, your
correspondent made a 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 (thc county
seat OF Mesa county,, did not at the
! first glance, impress 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 is especially healthful and con-
genial to the invalid and by means
out irrigation it 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 pro-
auctions OF fruit and vegetation.
The Grand Valley is situated in
Western Colorado, on the line OF the
average altitude of about $500 feet
above sea level, and until few years
ago was occupied by the Ute Indians.
It's soil is rich and deep, and its eli
mate mild and dry, having neither
extremes Of heat or cold, and is free
from hailstorms, billiards or cyclones.
In short il is all that could be desired,
and l believe, without single draw
back. Until within the past two years
its possibilities as a Embarrassing coun-
try were unknown, and in fact not
until the crops of the past year were
harvested did it dawn upon the resi-
dents OF the valley that in its fertile
soil and magnificent climate the Grand
Valley possesses greater sources of
wealth and happiness than the rich
mineral camps Immediately surround
ing it. Peaches, pears, plums, cher
ries, grapes, and especially those of
raisin varieties, and berries Of all
kinds, yield abundantly. From fve-
year-old budded peach trees were gath
cred POO pounds 70 the tree. and
apples even doubled that quantity.
When it is remembered that in an
area of co untry 700 to POO miles inn
mediately surrounding Colorado,
though rich in precious minerals and
settled by prosperous communities, yet
with the exception OF few localities
of limited area this whole vast terri
tory is almost destitute of fruit, and has
to receive its supply from California,
then the Importance and value of fruit
growing country which equals that of
I California, situated right in the midst
OF this fruitless country, can be
appreciated. For the consump-
tive who has not entered upon the
last stages of the disease, and in
fact to nearly every other invalid suf
fering from chronic diseases this val
ley will prove veritable paradise.
Not only does this region offer
health, but congenial outdoor occu-
patton, 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, with paralytic wife,
| g. To- Ia, o1 20
start with, and not even horse to
aid him, has by his own efforts put
into fruit a ten-acre tract, setting
about two acres the first year, and so
on, increasing year by year until his
whole tract was planted. During
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 5-year-
old trees he gathered and sold over
seven hundred dollars worth of fruit
to the acre; from his 4-year-old trees
about three hundred dollars per acre,
and from his 3-year-olds about one
hundred and fifty dollars per acre.
His land has also increased in value
from twenty-five dollars per acre to
one thousand dollars per acre,
and he has now an assured income of
three to four thousand dollars per year.
This is not an insulated 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 fifty to one hundred dollars per
acre, and can be set out into fruit or
chards at about thirty-fve 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
II Id ill.,