Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-02-13
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.
A Remarkable Fruit Region, as Well
as for Agricultural Purposes,
for Health, Etc.


From the orange Judd Farmer.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Jan. 81,
1890.-For some time past have no.
ticed in the leading papers of this
State, and more especially in the great
Dailies of Denver, glowing editorials
and correspondents 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 a 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 IL
embraced within the confines of Mesa
County, extending from the town of De
Beque, 10 some 80 miles West of the
city of Grand Junction (the 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 perpet-
ual sunshine found on this continent;
and whilst a climate of this kind Is es-
pecially healthful and congenial TO the
invalid and by no means unpleasant
even to the robust, without irrigation
it is not cOngenial 10 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 adj
miration 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 Grand il. K. 1t has
an average altitude of about 1900 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 extremes OF
heat or cold, and is free from hailstorms.
billiards or cyclones. In short it is all
that could be desired, and | believe,
without a single drawback. Until with.
in the past two years its possibilities as
a Embarrassing country were unknown,
and 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 magnificent climate
the Grand Valley possesses greater
sources of wealth and happiness than
the rich mineral camps Immediately
surrounding it. Peaches, pears, plums,
cherries, grapes, and especially those
of raisin varieties, 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 200 miles
Immediately surrounding Colorado,
though rich in precious Minerals and
settled by prosperous communities, yet
with the exception OF a few localities
of limited area this whole vast terri
tory is almost destitute of fruit, and
has to receive its supply from Cali
fornia, then the importance and value
OF afruit-grOwing country which equals
that of California, 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 near
ly every other invalid suffering from
chronic diseases, this valley will prove
veritable paradise.
Not only does the region offer health
but Congenial, easy outdoor occupa-
ton, and a sure competence. AS an
evidence of this fact, | will cite one in
stance brought to my own observation.
One citizen here, over the age of sixty
years, with paralytic wife, with only
a few dollars capital to start with, and
not even a horse to aid him, has by
his own efforts put into fruit ten
acre tract, setting out 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
fOur-year old trees about three hun
dred dollars per acre, and from his
three-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 thou
sand dollars per year.
This IS not an isolated case. What
al
with reasonable energy and a small
capital can do. The best fruit lands,
under ditch, can still be bought at from
fifty to one hundred dollars per acre,
I and can be set out into fruit orchards
at about thirty-fve dollars per acre,
and made 10 pay their way by plant
! ing 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 have
said, this valley must become the
paradise of the sick and enfeebled.
do not wish TO create the impression
| LndJ equal inducements are not nelC
out 10 the robust, and especially tC
those who are situated in countrie!
that are subject to billiards, cyclone!
or extremes OF heat or cold, for beside
the advantage Of climate offered, more
money can be cleared on ten acres Sc
out in fruit in this Valley without thu
expense Of hired help, than on manl
three hundred and twenty acre farms
with large capital invested in stoci
and implements. Nor is there DANCE
of the fruit industry being over-done
as to-day California is shipping TO
county seven hundred miles nearer t,
Grand Valley than to California, owe
ten million dollars worth OF fruit pc
annum!
There is one advantage this vale
possesses l must not overlook; it ha
. an abundance of water for irrigatio
purposes, more in fact than can eve
be used. Whilst so far | have onl
spoken of fruit crops, in my next
will have something TO say of cereal
and vegetables. Your correspondent
is indebted to w. j. S. Mcfarland, tn