The Delta independent., 1895-04-10
1898. W. 5. COburn, Stone Fruits.
l2829. G. B. McGranahan, Stone Fruits.
1880. Samuel Wade, Apples & Pears,
1881. ". 5. COburn, AppleS & Pears.

and soundncss ,inequaled anywhere In America.
As there at present but about $500 acres bear
ing fruit exclusively. which yields an aggregate
of about 900 600 pounds annually the pos>bili-
ties in this direction being almost beyond q cu
lntion.
The successful growing OF fruit In Delta county
is no longer an experiment. The past has fully
demonstrated the fact that 1t Is unequalcd In
quality. quantity and flavor. In symmetry sound
ness and beauty, no section east of the great
Continental Divide can compare with it. The
trees are Of n rapid growth. hardy and finely
shaped, and yield buuntfully.
Small fruits, such as raspberrles. blackberrics.
Strawberries etc. grow to an immense size. also
currants and grapes Of all varieties-whilr their
beauty and flavor are Of 4 high standard and in
fcrior to none.
Climate and health are associated throughout
the state so much so that the state has become
noted as n great health resort. Annually there
come within its limits thoujands from different
climcs to regain lost health--nndng with few
mouths residence their disability greatly lmprov-
ed. if not completely restored-often the latter.
Colorado, California and Arizona have rcputa-
ton the world over for healthy climate, and the
curative qualities of the atmosphere. The west
ern portion of Colorado possesses qualities supe-
rior 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's citizens have
been benefited and restored to health after hav-
ing been given up as life long Sufferers to pulmo-
nary troubles. and are to-day living witnesses OF
what the genial touch of mountain air will do as
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
est cheek. These valleys and mesas are profusely
decorated with rare and beautiful flowers whose
odors are ever present. Spruce, pine, fir and
cedar grow luxurantly and fill the mir with pro-
pcrtics especially beneficial to the lungs
The invigorIting character Of the air and
climate, 4gcihcr with its drynrss and lighineSs
a d the almost constant sunshine with which !. .
favored, imparts to the invalid Ecw lease OF
life filling his heart with joy as well rs increas-
ing his admiration for this state rs natures great
sal itarium. The genial touch Of the climate
with the Inhalation OF its pure air, exercises a
benign II ilucncc upsn those suffering from pu =
mcnary or lung disease. often tiil,.e,s the disease
Is too far advanccd) cnecting II preventative OF
consumption. and il Is an established fact that
philiSis is never kaowu to atll.t those born under
its influence.
Delta county is known to contain, anthracite,
btuminous (gool for cokn:l and Ignite coal IN
incxhaustib!e quantities. From the lower end Of
Delta county up along the Grand Mesa, clear to
the Ragged mountains there is an abundance Of
the above named Goals, particularly so along tie
upper end Of North Fork on Coal creek. Anlira-
cite creek, Clear creek. and Tagged Mountain
Veins Of anthracite now opened vary from eight
to thirty feet in depth, and OF excellent quality.
These mountains are entered by tunnelng, and
tIt fnr fhnr thav raj ted
quality OF coal is found No doubt exists but that
anthracite coal containing from eighty-tvc to
eighty -eight per cent pure carbon is abundant,
fact, these deposits are practically inexhaust-
able
Bituminous and Ignite coal is abundant through
out this county, especially so over the territory
above named. Veins have been opened and
found to be Of extraordinary depth. containing
the very Goals from which the citizens Of Delta
county are now supplied This section, without
doubt Is one of the richest In the state. and
affords inducements rarely equalcd to men OF
enterprise experience and capital.
From tie mouth Of Anthracite creek up the
North Fork 10 the main Muddy creek. gold
is known to exist, as placer mining has been car
ried on, and gave evidence OF exceeding richness.
Also along the mountains and In the gulches,
good galera orc Is found in great quantities In
dcatns the certainty of silver lead copper, ETC.,
in good paying quantities. Within very few
miles Of these indications. mines are being work.
ed which are paving largely.
Mica Of a superior quality abounds, and no doubt
eX SITS within tho minds Of experienced parties,
but what petroleum Is adundantin these valleys.
The nature and character Of this locality iusties
this belief
Owing to there being no direct communication
with this vast region Of wealth 1t has net been
thoroughly developed.
The culture of bees is an industry Of great
magnitude. and is extremely profitable. There is
no limit 10 this branch of business, as food for
them lasts nearly nine months Of the year. Alfa-
IA, which Is grown here abundantlv. furnishes
the bulk Of their gathering Three crops OF
alfalfa is absolutely certain, while four crops are
often grown in one season, aiIordng All abundant
to gather FROM add to this the profusion Of
natural flowers which abound in the mountains
and In the valleys, and an Idea to the extent
which the business can be carried can be obtain
ed. The product Is Of a superior quality pure and
white, commanding q good price and ev er salabla
Bees thrive remarkably and three swarms per
season Is common sufficient length Of season and
tile constant blooming OF flowers, never fails to
furnish all the food required to carry them oyer.
while the yield Of honey during the summer Is
exceedingly gratifying A good colony OF bees
properly attended to, will produce results per-
fectly satisfactory. There Is no business that
one can enter into with so small capital. and
receive as much from as the culture OF bees
and no more favorable locality can be found
than this. The past demonstrated this fact.
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 good and within a short time
all will be supplied. The natural facilities are
such that II makes 1t comparatively easy to con-
vey water up to and over the most elevated por-
tons Of the mesas. This is true Of Califoraia
Garnet and Rogers mesas.
Irrigation Is no longer an experiment on the
arid lands, aud 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 of trench.
es and the number Of canals In 1893 is ever 200
with al aggregation Of over 600 miles.
Along the valleys Of the Uncompahgrc, Gun =
nison North Fork, Smith Fork, Muddy. La Roux.
Tongue and Surface Creeks, there Is III abund-
ance OF water for all purposes. In addition to this,
4 complete system Of reservoirs have been estab-
lt.k-