The Delta independent., 1895-10-09
The WESTERN SL0PE-IV.
Della: First Impressions-The ToWn-hiIes
Of 0rchards-WonGerful lmpetus-Delta
County in the load-The Future.

1t was my first visit to Delta. 1mag-
inc my surprise on leaving the train to
see no sign of orchards or vineyards!
Aside from the town little could be seen
but gumbo and greasewood. The tops
of three Lombardy poplars rising above
the crest of Garnet mesa caught my
eye-beacons of what, though invisible,
lies beyond. l learned later that ten
minutes walk from the outskirts of the
town will perform for the stranger the
wonders of Aladdin's lamp-will trans
init the scene from chico bed to yer
liable orchard paradise. beautiful as
Hesperus. The three popars will lead
the visitor to this charming spot.
The population OF Delta is a thousand
or more, and growing. l was struck
with the number of new buildings;
large native brick block 50foot, lbs deep,
. stories high was one and the signals OF
what is coming. 1t has canning fac
tory, tin can factory, a planning mill,
Touring mill, two papers. two banks, two
lumber yards, three hotels, four
churches, high school, two livery stables,
and score of business houses. No sa-
looms, no negroes, no Chinamen-in the
county. What other county, with a
railroad in it, can say as much?
Delta is at the foot Of the Uncompah-
gre valley, at the junction of the I'm
compahgre and Gunnison rivers. The
Grand mesa forms a rampant on the
north; the Elk mountains, 50 to 40 miles
distant, guard the east; the valley
courses 80 to 40 miles to the southeast,
while to the west the low mesas sweep
to the horizon, and the Uncompahgre
plateau, % miles away, guards the south
west By day breeze passes up the
north fork, and back again at night: to
this is largely due the immunity from
late spring and early autumn frosts.
A commodious structure well built
and equipped for canning and picking
has been erected on the north side of
the Gunnison river. The men at the
head of it are capable, and will be able
to add materially to the Importance of
the town. For aciduous fruits they
have an ALUMINIUM kettle, with a capac-
ity of 100 gallons, that cost $3.50 in Chi
cago. They showed me a pound bottle
of saccharine containing the equivalent
of 400 pounds of granulated sugar.
Wonder how a cup of coffee would taste
with teaspoonful of that in it?
But it was the orchards and fruits l
went to see, and these l started out to
write about; yet to think of doing JUS
tice to the orchards and fruits of Delta
county by word or pen is an imperti,
nence. 1t cannot be done. II one
writes with an enthusiasm betitting his
theme he will omit many facts: if he
undertakes to give the facts they are of
such magnitude as to drown the fires of
enthusiasm. l wish l could do my sub
iect half the justice it deserves.
One cannot realize the volume of
orchards and trees in Delta county, and
this letter must leave for another time
the mention of Peach valley and North
and the state bridge contains $50 acres
in trees; California mesa west OF the
Uncompahgre 500; Orchard mesa AS;
Ash mesa 100; Surface creek 500; Gar
net mesa 1000, and the valley along the
Uncompahgre between the mesas $50;
making total of more than $500 acres.
Leaving out North Fork and Peach val
ley the above is but a small portion OF
the acreage in Delta county.
Last year alone $50 people planted
trees in Delta county, and no less than
437 600 trees were put out. Seventy car
loads besides the odd lots and small or
ders were laid down at the Delta depot.
The planting next year will be heavier
than last; hundreds OF people will plant
8 to 80 acres; masy are getting ready to
set 90 to 100 acres apiece. Messrs. Ste