The Delta independent., 1893-09-13
HEALTH AND WEALTH.
Few Facts ConcernipE A Great Fruit
Country.

Few Facts Concernipg A Great Fruit
Country.
Fifteen wears ago but little was known to the
white man OF what is now the most productive
valley in America The Ute Indian caught fish
and wildly pursued the deer over the land now
covered with orchards and vineyards, bearing
luscious and various fruits, and where the savage
pitched his wigwam can now be seen the pleasant
he mes of the most moral and thrift! class OF
citizens to be found anywere. In 1881 the Govern
ment removed the Indians to the Reservation
now in Southern Colorado and Utah, and hardy
pioneers soon took possession OF these valuable
lands so eagerly waited for.
Nearly IL years have elapsed. and the rapid
strides the county has made must I'LL the hearts
Of those early pioneers with pride and Joy as they
look over the 200 square miles that Delta couh-
ty contains and seeit teeming with exceheht
farms, highly cultivated and covered luxuriantly
with wheat alfalfa. fruits of every description.
apples, grapes, peaches. pears, ounces. aprcots.
plums. cherries, raspberries. blackberries. cur
rants gooseberries, .nuloerries. and almost every
kind of fruit except few tropical) that grows
anywhere on earth, as well as to see the entire
face of the land dotted here and there with fine
residences, schools, churches, excellent highways
bridges, In fact all the needed improvements that
go to build up and make a county great. seethe
thousands OF cattle, sheep, horses, mules and
swine roaming the ranges and ranches.
Noti,e the healthy, vigorous people, the enter
prise and prosperity, consider the heatlihihess
of the climate. the nature and character OF It's
soil which is rich and productive-and u VIII De
no surprise that within the limits Of Delta county
there are are now 1900 energetic. enterprs'ng.
cultured and refined people rs can be found In
any section of country.
CLIMATE OF COLORADO.
Climate and health are associated throughout
the state so much so that the state bas become
noted as u great health resort. Annually there
come within its limits tliou3ands rom different
c.jmes to regain lost health-hnding with few
mouths residence their disability greatly improv-
ed, II not completely restored-often the latter
Colorado, California and Arizona have reputa-
ton the world over for healthy climate. and the
curtaiye qualities of the atmosphere The west
ern portion of Colorado possesses qualities super
ior to the Others named for the reason we escape
the "rainy season" which arrives annually In
California and the torrd heat experienced IN
Arizona Many Of Delta county, citizens have
been benefited and restored to health after nav
ing been given up as life long sufferers to puimo-
nary troubles. and are to-day living witnesses OF
what the genial touch Of mountain air Will DO as
a restorative. The many resorts where ex-
cursions in beautiful valleys are to be enjoyed
can not but bring the blush of health to the pal
es, cheek. These valleysand mesas are profasely
decorated with rare and beautiful flowers whose
odors are ever present Spruce, pine, fir and
cedar grow luxuriently and fill the air with pro-
perties especially beneficial to the lungs.
The invigoruting character Of the air and
climate, together with Its dryness and ligh!ness
and Its almost constant sunshine with which 1t is
favored, imgarts to the invalid new lease oil
life, filling his heart with JOY as well as increas-
Ing his admiration tor this state as natures great
sanitarium The genial touch of the climate
with the Inhalation Of Its pure air, exercises u
begin influence npsn those su<serIng from pum-
onary or lung disease, often (inless the disease Is
too far aayanced) affecting preventative oil
consumption, and 1t il established fact tfat
pthisis is never known to atiict those born under
its influence.
IRRIGATION.
The system of irrigation of Delta county as yet
is not complete, but is well advanced and in
short time will be perfected. The opportunities
for irrigation are gYod and within short time
all will be supplied. The natural facilities are
such that 1t makes 1t comparatively easy to con-
vcy water up to and over the most elevated por-
tons OF the mesas. This Is true Of California.
Garnet and Rogers mesas.
Irrigation is no longer an experiment on the
arid lands, and the conditions of the soil in Delta
county make the building and maintenance of
canals and bitches very easily accomplished.
Every valley and mesa has Its net work oftrcnch-
o. and the number of canals in 1898 is over 200
with al aggregation of over 600 miles.
Along the valleys Of the Uncompahgre. Cum
nlson, North Fork, Smith Fork Muddy. La Roux.
Tongue and Surface Creeks there Is an abund-
aice OF water for all purposes In addition to this,
u complete system Of reservoirs have been estai-
lislicd along the Grand Mesa which afford SUI
Gcent water for purposes required along the
valleys or table lands bordering thereon. The
advantages to be derived from the facilities for
procuring abundance Of water throughout the
county Is of incalculable value, and one that
should be taken into consideration. as upon this
depends largely the success of tile toior.
THE GRAND MESA.
To the tourist or stranger who visits Delta one
of the grandest and most awe-inspi ring sights
which greet his eye is the Grand mesa which
rises majestically over 800 feet above the Gun
niscn River valley. Distances are well known TO
BIZ dcceiving 70 the eye in mountain countries.
and In spring when the Iench and apple trees are
in blossom in the valley and The weather warm,
1t appears as II a few hours climbing over wooded
hills would take ope to the mesa top where they
might have . Jolly timc making snow balls. But
1t Is not so quickly done, as the distance IN q
direct line is 81 miles, reached by = circutous
ronte through enchanting mountain scenery
made so by the heavy growth Of trees. the crystal
streams. and the quick movements of mountain
deer, elk, antelope md the risky jack rabbit.
But when the top is reached then only can be
fully realized the beauty and grandeur Of thv
valleys below. and here only can be f,lly aHpre-
GATED how literally nature has provided for the
amusement and comfort ofthose who seek cool
place for n Summers outing.
ON the rugged mountains which rise still high
rare known TO be rich deposits of silver and
so'I, bn, very ii'tle Prospecting or attempt af