The Delta independent., 1895-07-24
SURFACE CREEK RANCHES,
Gunnison River to cedaredge, Inciud-
ing Harris Basin.


there are few sections where more fine
ranches can be seen in two days trip
than on Surface Creek and the terri.
tory watered by its bitches. Last Thurs
day morning representative OF THE
INDEPENDENT started out to visit this
rich section and the vast area of fine
crops and fruit seen shows that it is ono
of the garden spots of this earth. Every
variety of fruit that can be grown in a
temperate climate, was here found flour
ishing to perfection, and those who a
few years ago, with many doubts and
nisgivings and under the discourage
ment Of the unbelievers, planted fruit
trees are now regarded as being blessed
by good fortune" The facts are that
these pioneers in fruit growing had the
courage of their convictions and are now
rcaping the legitimate reward of their
enterprise.
The ranch Of George Harshman, Of
Cory, was the first one visited and here
was found 20 acres OF alfalfa, 2 of gar
den and 16 acres of orchard, about an
acre of which is in bearing, the apricots
and Alexander peaches being ripe
enough to begin shipping. Mr.. Harsh
man has fine lot of grapes, raspberries.
blackberries and straw berries, all in
bearing. His orchard was somewhat
weedy, owing to the fact that his first
cutting of alfalfa had to be looked after
rust at the time when he should have
been at work in his orchard. Next year
he intends to abandon hay raising and
devote his entire attention to fruit
growing.
Adams & Shock have ar, acre orchard
and 60 acres in alfalfa; also stand OF
bees.
J. w. Snelson has so acres in alfalfa, 3
Of corn, 2 OF squash, u OF garden, 5 Of
orchard, mostly young trees, and stand
of bees.
]. J. Smith has 10 acres in orchard,
mostly set last spring, of corn, IL of
alfalfa and Is stand OF bees.
H. Cullom has acres of alfalfa, 9 of
corn and 8 of orchard, acres of the Or
ehard being three year old trees. He
keeps his orchard very clean and his
trees are making splendid growth,
Preparations were under way for plant
ing a fine lot Of strawberry vines and
another year he expects to have them in
bearing. He has 4 stand Of bees.
Charles E. Fleenor has recently built
story and half house on his place
and has in 10 acres Of alfalfa, l of corn,
and 211a of orchard, set last spring. He
is still at work improving his property
and will soon have fine home.
1. N. Fleenor has one of the Oldest
ranches on lower Surface Creek mesa,
on the banks of the Gunnison river, and
has in 30 acres Of alfalfa, a of corn. He
has II acres Of orchard, 3 Of which are
in bearing and the remainder new.
Three stand Of bees furnish all the
honey they can use. Their apricots
were ripe and Alexander peaches Just
turning
George P. Childs, county commission
sr, was the next place reached and a cor
dial invitation to dinner was promptly
accepted. After hearty meal which
included fried chicken done to turn, a
trip through the orchard was made. The
house was surrounded by large trees and
the first to attract attention were the
Alexander peaches, every tree with its
limbs bending nearly to the earth with
the burden Of beautiful red checked
fruit, almost ripe enough to pick. Alter
mating with the peach trees were apple
and pear trees, loaded almost to the
point of breaking down and yet the fruit
on all these trees had been thinned fully
one-half by picking off while it was
small. A beautiful vineyard with the
vines all properly trained on posts, was
the next object OF interest. Here were
grapes OF many varieties all bearing in
Profusion, and it was easy to see that
the statement was fact that last year
4.2OO pounds OF grapes were sold from
100 of these vines, and that practically
their first crop. At other points in the
orchard six year old black walnut trees
were seen in bearing, and almond. Eng
lish walnut and butternut trees making
vigorous and healthy growth. A por-
ton Of the early peach orchard had been
set largely to tho Old Nixon variety,
but here these trees are so prolific that
the work of thinning the fruit becomes
very burdensome and Mr.. Chiles is
gradually budding on other varieties
and cutting off the limbs now in bear.
ing, SO that in future this work may be
in measure avoided. Not weed or
blade OF grass is to bo found in this or
chard and it's success shows the favor
able result OF such good care. Enough
small fruits are in bearing to supply the
family. though their cultivation receives
but slight attention. After thorough