Gilpin observer., 1903-07-30
Farming in Northern Colorado.

Field and Farm grows enthusiastic
over farm conditions in Colorado. but
by some accident fails to make the res
ervation that Colorado has many other
magnificent farming sections. The
writer says:
"A trip from Denver north to Gree
ley and around the Horn by way of
Fort Collins gives many glimpses OF
the modern fairy land-of scenes that
might well be laid in the garden of
Eden described in Bible pages. The
burning sands and cactus beds that we
remember when General Campbell
came out to plant the Union colony
now blossoms with golden grains and
the fertile slopes stand studded with
fruit trees laden with ripening fruits as
perfect as nature can make them. The
magic touch of water has certainly
transformed the desert to fruitful fields,
orchards and gardens. Our people are
that it is not only very profitable but
truly pleasant occupation to farm
under an irrigation ditch. for by this
method the farmer is master of the
seasons.
In the country around Greeley the
best potatoes in the United States are
grown. producing 200 sacks an acre
and the crop this year is better than
usual. There is demand for these po-
tatoes all over the United States and
those grown by irrigation are practi-
cally without competition because of
their excellent quality. which has now
become recognized by dealers and users
everywhere. Three crops of alfalfa
yielding annually as much as five tons
to the acre, are grown upon the lands
seeded to that crop. and it is used
largely in rotation with spuds. sugar
beets and grain. After planting pota-
toes for two or three seasons the land
is seeded in alfalfa The following year
three cuttings of hay are made and the
alfalfa sod may then be turned under
The original soil lacked sufficient veg
etable matter and the alfalfa sod and
roots have been found to be the finest
fertilizer for bringing the much needed
humus into the soil. AS fertilizer the
alfalfa is not only far superior to COW
peas. and other such plants. but the
farmers get full advantage of the hay
crop and grazing before the sod is
turned under. During warm spells in
early spring the alfalfa shoots up and
furnishes the finest of pastures for hogs
and sheep.
AT Greeley. Fort Collins. Loveland.
and other towns. thousands of lambs
are fattened on alfalfa for the Chicago.
Kansas City and Denver markets. and
this branch OF industry is gradually be-
coming great science among those
who have taken it up. The first year
after the alfalfa sod is turned under
the lard is generally sown to wheat.
which produces as much as sixty BUSH
els to the acre. We never saw better
stands than are to be seen now at the
beginning of the harvest. On this trip
may be seen six great sugar factories
three OF which are in course of con-
struction. Thousands of acres have
been planted in sugar beets and the
profit from this crop sometimes runs
from $50 to $75 an acre. exclusive of
the work. A pleasing feature of the
farms under irrigation is the home-acre
lot. On II Is a comfortable. nicely
painted house surrounded by wide
spreading shade trees with clusters of
beautiful flowers as perfect as the best
conditions OF nature can make them.
In many places the farms surround the
towns and the wives and children en-
Joy all the advantages of town life and
its social conditions. Even In those To-
calities where the farms lie some dis
tance away from the towns. the homes
are near together and the loneliness of
life characteristic of the old ranch days
does not exist.
The certainty of the crops and the
profit OF farming by irrigation enables
a man to give his children advantages
OF education and to provide those COM
forts in the home so essential to the
happiness and improvements of the
family. Life upon such farm Is one
OF comfort, pleasure and happiness.
Children reared in the midst OF such
surroundings grow to be strong and in
tellectual men and women.