The Delta independent., 1895-10-16
THE WESTERN sL0pE-y.
North Fork-Whare and What il is-its
Altitude Relatively eIy-TowEs-DeveI-
opIcnt and Needs.

To point IL miles east from Delta
the Gunnison river runs in northerly
course where it turns suddenly to the
west; at this sudden turn it receives it's
North ferk. which flows from the cast
through valley of broken and frag-
mentary mesas. Fifteen miles from
Delta we strike Rogers mesa, from which
to Paonia, distance of 1s miles, is a
continuous series OF valleys and mesa.
OF probably 5000 acres of the best fruit
lands in Colorado. The valley embraces
two villages-Hotchkiss and Paoria.
The first is about % miles from Delta,
the latter So. Hotchkiss has two or
three stores doing large business and
is stage station between Delta and
Paonia, also between Delta and Craw-
ford over on Smiths fork. Stages
run daily each way, carrying mails, pas
sengers and freight. The freight rate
to Delta from all points in North Fork
is 40 cents per hundred pounds and bur.
densome to growers. At Paonia there
is general store, postofiice, smith shop,
church, school house and a number of
villagers.
The altitude of North Fork is not as
great as one would naturally suppose
Paonia is only about 500 feet higher
than Delta, it being $3.50 Hotchkiss is
$3.50, which is but 745 higher than
Grand Junction. The land from Rogers
mesa is protected as no other fruit pro-
ducing locality is, The Grand mesa is
on the north, the mountain range shell
ters the cast and the hills Of the Gun
nison are on the south. No northern
no eastern. no northeastern storms or
| squalls, or binding SHOWS ever sweep
| the valley of the North Fork. II it SHOWS
| it comes from somewhere above and
falls Of its own weight without drifting
winds.
Soil and water; these are the primal
factors everywhere and under all condi-
| ions. No matter what the altitude or
surroundings, if soil and water is want.
| ing all else goes for naught. Here the
soil is OF the best, fertile and friable:
| easily handled in and after irrigation:
and as for water. there is more than
enough in the North fork OF the Gunni-
son. The area to be watcred is limited
to matter OF 5000 acres. and cannot
| be increased. while the water supply
under these circumstances is unlim-
tied.
The late DR.. Shaw, one OF the most
careful men in expressing opinions and
! authoritative in all matters relating
to horticultdtA. WAS deeply impressed
with this valley, and Prof. II. E. Van
Deman in his report to the department
OF agriculture for 1893 says; In all my
| travels J have -ot seen more profit.
able or delightful place TO grow fruit
than the North Fork Of the Gunnison
river. 1t is probably, all things consid-
cred, naturally the most perfect spot in
| Colorado for fruit
1t has one drawback, and till that is
overcome North Fork will be at dis.
advantage. Paonia ls 30 miles from
market, and some OF the orchards 40:
and the freight is 30 cents per hundred
to Delta; but aside from the expense the
time and injury on account OF carriage
over rough road in the hot sun are
hardships the North Fork cannot en-
dure. AS fruit cheapens by abundance,
as it will, they will not be able to go
into the market with these odds against
them.
| There is but one remedy. and that is
a railroad up the North Fork. This val
ley is developing very rapidly, and the
time is near at hand when it cannot be
handled at such long range ms 20 to 40
miles from market. A railroad up the
North Fork is necessary and inevitable.
The distance is only about 10 miles from
Delta to connect with either tho South
Park or ID. & r. G. This done the val.
ley will become an initial point OF vast
importance. Whether Paonia will be
the chief point or not the future. will de-
termino, but it is beautifully situated
for canning factories and evaporators,
and charming spot for mountain
town supported by rural industry. 1t
would be the most unique in the state
and important resort.
The most obvious benefit Of a road is
the outlet it would give the products OF
North Fork to the outside world. This
it must have, or in u few years the value
OF tho valley for fruit as an extensive
industry will be destroyed by compe-
tition on account Of helpless disadvan.
tage. But there is another advantage;
it would open the door of tade to the
mining towns which would be made ad.
jacent, Paonia would be enly few
miles from tho mining region. whereas
it is now long haul, besides tho injuri.
ous tedious wagon haul to Delta.