The Delta independent., 1895-11-13
THE WESTERN SloPE-vIi.
Peach vailey--Its Youth and Beauty Who're.
abouts Rapid Development Shade Trses
The People They are Looking
for-Its Prospects and
Possibilities.

Prior to the spring OF 1899 it was a
lonely glen, out Of tbs ~ay without a
trace of civilization or hint Of human
occupancy. and beyond the reach or
hope OF water. 1t was late in the after
up the valley two miles southwest OF the
state bridge and rounding a low hill.
came suddenly to the foot OF low lane
| stretching mile to the south and fenc
ed with cedar and 50 neatly as
to seem a work OF art in fence building.
1t was the Daniels home. Within
either fence was a mile OF young or
chards; the one on the west included
homes and gardens. and the gardens
neat and clean. were gloriously luZuri
ant; the most so indeed OF any I saw on
the trip.
Peach valley is at the foot OF the
large mesa extending from Montroce
northward to the Gunnison river. and
lying between the Uncompahgre and
the walls OF the Black canon. It is
about or S miles east OF Delta over the
foot OF Garnet mesa, and nearly adjacent
to the highway leading from Delta to
the state bridge; it is guarded from the
winter winds by the Grand mesa on
the north and the mountains OF the
Gunnison on the east, and also has the
benefit Of the daily trade brcezes to and
from the mountains. By these means
ths valley is saved from the late frosts
in tho spring and early frosts in the
autumn. Last year the squash and
pumpkin vines were green and bloom
ing up to the last OF October, while else
where everything had been killed for
Is day-.
The soil varies from a chocolate to an
aeh colorcd adobe. Some OF it works
little hard, but with care it is rapidly
handled and exceedingly productive and
durable; but little farther up the val
ley it changes to clay loan. friable and
moro easily worked and fertile as the
shores OF the Nile. The vegetation was
specially vigorous. and showed remark
able development OF growth. Trees in
the orchards were OF deep green color.
l saw some dead trees, but not a sickly
leaf OF any kind was in sight, Every liv
ing thing wore an unusually rich color,
SO much 30 that I was struck with it,
whether on tree or vine, in orchard or
garden-both alike.
Peach valley contains about 5000
acres Of land controlled by the Daniels
Fruit Land company, under the manage
ment of A. NJ Daniels. resident. with
post Office at Delta. No sales are made
for farming purposes, and mostly in lots
OF 8 to 10 acres for growing fruits. The
Daniels orchards are at the lower end OF
the valley, at the north, and embrace
about a mile square. Forty.two diff
ferent parties have bought land. most OF
whom have begun making improvements
and all expect at no distant day to make
homes in the valley. Since the spring
OF 93 twenty-cight miles OF fence have
been built, 20 orchards planted. ]. 1915
acres OF land have been plowed. 4,lOO
trees set and homes established. The
Daniels orchard will contain -. 600 trees,
OF which about 5000 are already grow
ing, and largo addition will be made
this coming season.
There may be schemes in Colorado, in
| deed l have heard so. How about
Peach valley9 True, it is new, but not
too new to bank on. Ut is pretty poor
thing in Delta county that cannot be
banked on) In five years there will be
a pretty railway station miles east Of
Delta called Peach Valley" and little
| later on the observer will see cars load
ing with the products OF this glen for
the markets. beyond the mountains.
When tho waters OF the Gunnison are
brought through tho walls of the Black
canon at the head OF this fine mesa. las
| it willy, and spread over its many broad
acres for which as yet there is not sutii-
cient, the town OF Peach Valley" will
be canning and evaporating the fruits
from millions OF trees not yet planted,
and the people now settling in the valley
will be strictly in it,
The water for Peach valley comes
/ from the Loutzenheizer ditch, taken out
OF the Uncompahgre above Montrose'
and while it ia sufficient for the lands it
now supplies. including Peach valley. it
can furnish water for but fraction OF
this extensive mesa. The walls OF the
Black canon will be tunnelled for the
waters OF tho cxhaustless Gnnnison
which will supply all the valley east oil
the Uncompahgre river, and let tho Un.
compahgrc waters go to the west hall
Of the valley. This will increase the
interests Of Delta county immensely and
mako tho town OF Peach Valley an im'
portant station on the new railway
when built. For Peach valley alone
the I.outzenheizer ditch is sufficient