Cañon City record., 1900-08-23
"MADE TO BLOSSOM
AS THE ROSE" "
The Vast Park North Of Canon City
Has Been Transformed into Well
Cultivated Fields-One Inn
mense Farm.

Less than three years ago the lands
lying north Of this city and east of
Harding addition were covered with
sage brush and chico, and cut up by
immense gullies some of which reach
ed depth of twenty feet. Travel
was difficult and often attended with
danger, especially after twilight.
How different now, when these
vast acres have been cleared and
leveled, and in place of brush and
gullies appear leveled surface with
growing crops and regular rows of
fruit trees in fine state of growth.
Streets, too, have been laid out and
graded.
To have made possible this trans
formation it was necessary that these
acres be put under spstem of ir-
rigation. The task was big one,
the investment of capital large and
only men of keen foresight and nerve
could be expected to grapple with
the problem. Such men, however,
were found in the persons of F. A.
Reynolds and Henry Earle, who re-
allied the Importance to the city of
a water system that could reclaim
these then barren lands, and open
the doors for the growth of our
beautiful city until its borders
should extend even unto the foot
hills which form the northern and
eastern rim of the park.
Plans were laid, estimates obtained,
work commenced and pushed to COM
pletion, and as a result we have the
Fruitland Ditch, which takes its
water supply from the Oil Creek
ditch, one of the Oldest water rights
on the river and of which the Fruit
land Water Co own over one fourth.
The pumping plant connected with
this important industry represents a
lifting capacity of 100000 gallons
per hour. The water is forced
through large pipe to a reservoir
situated on the "hog back" at the
north end of Second street, and l2O
feet above the city, whence it flows
into the main canal, the carrying
capacity Of which is 13 cubic feet
per second. The main canal is FIVE
miles In length with innumerable
laterals. The cost of the plant with
its full equipment will hardly fall
short of $4,000. The success that
has SO far attended the venture amp
| ly justified the outlay, and as years
advance and the large tracts are cut
up into smaller parts, each with its
occupant, the dema nd for water will
be largely increased. When that
time arrives Canon City will have be-
come city of no mean proportions.
Hundreds of acres of land are at
this writing under cultivation and
crops second to none are to be seen
on every hand.
| A RECORD reporter visited this
particular section Tuesday, entering
the cultivated area through Fifteenth
street. The lands of which we wish
to speak are owned by private indi-
viduals, but are under the present
supervision of the Colorado State
Penitentiary, with Jere Moran as
overseer. At headquarters Mr..
Moran received the writer and es-
corted him through acres of corn,
beans, pumpkins, onions, carrots,
peppers, canteloupes, ETC., all of
which showed that great care had
been bestowed upon them. Each par
ticular kind was rapidly maturing,
and justified the old saying that it is
only necessary to tickle the soil a
little and give it drink, to have it
return crops without limit. The
lands being cultivated are owned as
follows:
Earle & Reynolds. 120 acres-8O
acres in oats, which will average so
bushel to the acre; 5 acres wheat; 25
acres corn and 10 acres to squash.
James P. Chapman, 10 acres, plant
ed to Mexican beans, that will yield
1900 pounds to the acre.
Fred Whipple, 10 acres, also plant
ed to Mexican beans.
Mrs. Agnes Stewart, 5 acres, plant
ed to beets, which will run 25 tons to
the acre.
l. II..-A nh n ~