The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-10-10
.SHEARER'S LETTER.
Conrad Shearer Writes of His TraV-
els and Experiences in
Colorado.
FINE SCENERY OF COLORADO
Coal Greek canon in the Rocktes-Price
of Water for Irrigation-Man Items
of General Interest.
FINE SCENERY OF COLORADO
ARMADA, Colo,
October Z, 1901

1
October 7, 1901.
Dear EDITOR
MY letter of the 23rd u1t. treated
mainly of the agricultural resources OF
this section of the West. In this COM
munication it is my purpose to give
your readers an idea of how the land
surface of Colorado appears to the
strangers eyes.
Perhaps no section of the globe pre-
sents a greater deception of distance
than the hi1ly portions of this locality
Time and again is the eastern visitor
| led astray through his travels. Ac-
customed as he has been to measure
distances on the broad level plains of
Eastern or Central u. S., he applies
the same rules to the West and only
realizes the error through actual ex-
perience. What would seem to trav-
e1er to be distance of three miles is
in reality five times that distance.
The surface of Colorado presents
striking contrast to that of the Central
states. Vegetation, depending wholly
upon irrigation, is only propagated IN
ply. This gives large portion of the
country barren appearance, especial
1y at this season of the year. Land
which is apparently devoid of every
vestige of vegetable matter will fur
nish abundant food for cattle all win
ter. Trees are scarce, comparatively
speaking, and yet more numerous than
- %o4 d~~u 01S "a
Orchards must be watered occasional
ly or the trees soon die. Apples are
not as Juicy as in other sections of the
country. This is probably due to lack
of rain fall.
The most wonderful scenery of Colo
RADIO lies in her mountains. Your cor
respondent had the pleasure of visit
ing gorge in the Rockies known as
Coal Creek Canon. For a distance of
| five or six miles leading to the base of
the mountains the land surface is COW
cred with stones ranging in size from
that of hen egg to six inches in di-
ameter. A wagon road through such
a surface is always very rough max
ing travel quite slow and difficult.
|
the canons so that person may drive
| for miles with nothing but huge
mountain walls on either side. If he
walks he is constantly picking up
numerous curiosities to carry away
with him. Almost every variety Of
rock can be found there, many con-
tanning specimens of valuable miner
| &c l1n
he can easily gather supply Of cur
los.
The country is dotted with ponds or
small lakes. These are the reservoirs
by means of which the land is irrigat-
ed Their supply is gained from rain
in the mountains and melting snow.
1t is nothing unusual to find water
flowing along in a wide ditch on the
hill crest. A big bridge on a hill top
is customary sight. Water for irri-
CATION is purchased in shares at $500
each, and the more of these farmer
owns the more thoroughly can he
water his land.
Farm houses and barns are not as a
rule of extensive dimensions. Stock
have but little shelter during the win
ter, hence there is absolutely no neces-
sity for a large barn. Most of the
houses are constructed of red brick, a
variety manufactured in the surround
ing country. A number of dug-outs
are to be found in every agricultural
district. These consist of a shallow
excavation in the earth, rooted over,
usually with tree branches covered
with straw and earth. They are said
to make very comfortable sleeping
places. Many farm residences are
built according to modern plans and
are as commodious and attractive as
those seenin southern Wisconsin.
Very respectfully,
CONRAD SHEARER.