Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-01-02
oTERo couNTYs PROSPERITY.
Its Citizens rlade Money In 1902 In
All Lines Of Business.

Its Citizens flade Money In 1902 Il
All Lines Of Business.
The Denver Post New Years edition
has a comprehensive write-up Of the
progress Of the state during 1902. WI
find the following in regard to Oter'
county:
The year 1902 has brought markee
prosperity to Rocky Ford and the tribu-
tary country. The country has developee
rapidly and the town has made steao,
and substantial growth. keeping pace
with the advancement Of the farming in
terests.
Building operations in Rocky Fcrd have
been extensive on both residence propert,
and business houses and have been Of q
superior character. Among the bettei
business blocks constructed may be men,
toned the Grand opera house and the
Masonic building. The former is a very
handsome structure. which will compar,
favorably in all its appointments with the
play houses Of much larger cities. Tn,
Masonic block contains store rooms below
while the upper floor has been fitted W
for Masonic purposes. and no superior
lodge room is To be found in Southern
Colorado.
To provide for the needs Of transient
people who fall sick or suffer from acci-
dent and for the many inyalids who seel
valley. Garden Place hospital and sani-
,arium has been provided.
A Mems free reading room has beer
started b. the Woman's club. providing q
comfortable and instructive place Of re-
sort free from saloon temptations and en-
tieements.
This has been a good year for farmers
all kinds OF agricultural activity bringing
handsome returns. Cantaloupe growers
have had season OF unusual prosperity
The crop suffered from no uniavorabls
climatic conditions and good prices pre-
vailed. almost without single break ir
this market. Tho few farmers who die
not forget to plant watermelons struck q
rich streak. as exceptionally high prices
prevailed.
The orchards have been source o,
great profit. all kinds Of fruits being
abundant. Tho peach crop was remark
ably large and the quality '.out Of sight.
The beet sugar factory OF the American
Beet Sugar company is now in the midst
OF the most extensive campaign in iis
history. The acreage OF bects to be
worked up exceeds any former year and
the percentage Of sugar Is highly salts
factory TO tho growers. averaging about
IL per cent. Each twenty-fours secs
1000 tons OF sugar beots converted into
100000 pounds Of refined sugar.
Farmers who have stuck TO their alfalfa
fields have found ;hem moro than usually
remuneratiyc. Hay has been high and
the top notch seems no, 20, reached. The
old reliable alfalfa Is money maker
worth tying to.
enlarged its borders and Is now feeding
5000. cattle in model yards near tho
sugar factory. beet pulp being utilized in
the fattening' ration. Weaver & Bonds
feeding yard is now enterprise and is
fat,ening 1900 cattle.
Gardeners have had a profitable year.
The growing OF seeds for sccdsmcn Is
rapidly coming TO tho front as . special
industry. Seeds grown under irrigation
are iust beginning to win a decided popu-
larity. and this industry in n fow years
promises to rival that Of eantaioupc eul-
ture and will in time DO only second to
sugar beet growing in volume Of outpu,
and aggregate profit to tho farming COM
munity.
The telephone service is rapidly extend
ing to all portions Of tho county. adding
an enjoyable feature to farm lfe.
In all the elements Of u successful ag-
rieultural community tho Rocky Ford
country has made great progress during
the year Just closing and its prospects are
bright for a oontrued aeeoleration Of its
industrial development