The Delta independent., 1895-08-07

oi tuc tdTlitst seltlers III tHe .>Orlu OTh
valley and commenced experimenting
with fruit trees Immediately after locat-
ing, his Oldest trees now being eleven
and twelve years old. Although it was
after o'clock the clean. well kept Or
chard looked SO refreshing and neat that
tour Of inspection was at once begun
and in company with Mr.. Coburn We
were soon among the trees. Two rows,
containing 100 cherry trees. were the
first to attract attention and from their
bright foliage and thrifty look we were
not surprised that their crop for this
year, which had just been gathered, had
brought in $4,000. Further on were
800 peach trees. 3 year olds, from which
last year IS boxes were shipped and
from which this year about 1000 boxes
fine pears were shown, also nectafines,
apricots, all varieties Of apples. plums,
prunes, etc. This orchard is SO planted
that the ground can be cultivated in
both directions, and in that work the
California cultIvator is used. In the
way Of nursery stock Mr.. Coburn showed
about 60.ooO fine young trees, all well
cultivated and looking as though they
would be in splendid condition for either
fall or spring planting. The oldest por-
ton Of this orchard is at the front. the
other sections being each about year
later in planting. except the original
home orchard down near the river.
Among the six year old apple trees we
were shown several on which other va
rieties had been budded, one in particu-
lar which was budded year ago and
this year will produce at least bushel
OF apples. In the old home orchard are
apple trees which will this year yield
from 20 10 % bushels each of market
able fruit. In all Mr.. Coburn has 20
acres Of orchard, so in bearing and the
remainder new. On this ground he has
500 pear trees, 800 OF which are in bear
ing; 1000 peach trees. 100 apricots. 500
plums and prunes comprising from p to
30 varieties; 1900 apples, 100 cherries.
have a very large crop from them this
year. Last year he sold about so bush.
els of pears and this year will have
about 2oo bushels. or peaches he will
have about 100 bushels this year; OF
plums about 200 bushels Last year he
sold about 1000 bushels OF apples and
this year will sell about 5000. Last
spring he sold 10000 trees. almost
entirely for planting in this county. be-
sides those he put out for himself. In
addition to his fruit Mr.. Coburn is a
lover of fine stock, having 1900 pound
stallion, Jumbo. GO horses and number
OF fine cows, 40 acres OF alfalfa supply
ing more than enough feed for them all.
Mrs. Coburn has a lot OF very handsome
chickens in which she takes great pride.
This beautiful place only shows what
may be readily accomplished by anyone
who is willing to work hard and has the
good Judgment and determination to
back his labor.
After a good nights rest and a hearty
breakfast old "Waverly" was led out,
fed few puffs OF air from the hand
pump and few drops OF oil, and the
journey up the valley resumed.
On the Andrew Hice place A. II.
Hitch has 30 acres OF corn; Capt. Pace
has in 5 acres Of wheat and OF corn
and Mr.. Hice has 70 acres OF alfalfa and
IA acres OF orchard acres OF which is
bearing very heavily this year.
David Stephens han quite an extern
sive meadow OF timothy and wire grass.
acres OF corn and 40 stand Of bees. He
has 40 acres OF orchard, 10 OF which lie
in bearing and will ship this season
about 1000 bushels of apples, 800 of
early peaches and 100 OF apricots, be-
sides having small fruits for home use.
A. Il. Bruce has n acres OF corn, OF
cane, 90 OF alfalfa, . OF potatoes,
Al, acres of bearing and of new
orchard on his two ranches. He also
has IL stand OF bees, 200 head Of cattle
and 35 hogs,
]. S. Roatcap, up Roatcap gulch, has
nothing in except garden, as he is work.
ing ten men at his mill back in the hills
making fruit boxes, the demand being
at present greater than he can supply.
G. II. Merchant has in 20 acres of nj.
falfa. 10 Of corn and IL OF orchard, about
4 acres being in bearing.
j. NJ. Underwood is devoting his en-.
tire attention to bee culture, having los
stand at the time Of this visit He ex.
poets to market an average OF about SO
pounds to the stand as this seasons
crop.
Climbing the hill to Pitkin mesa
County Commissioner Curtiss was
found welding the hoe in an cndeavor
to keep tho weeds under control, which
is a matter Of excepting cverlSstingly at
It" in this prolific climate. He has
commodious and pleasant home and will