The Delta independent., 1904-07-01
The Gunnison Tunnel.
EDITOR INDEPENDENT.

EDIToR INDEPENDENT.
Although q clergyman. l know not Of
any law civil, ecclesiastical or social that
forbids or would cr,ticise my writing on
so living and inpurtant Il question as
the Uncompahgre valley and it's de-
mands for the Gunnison tunnel.
At this date should the scheme be an
assured success my article may not be
out OF place.
1t is conceded without argument that
the Gunnison tunnel scheme embodies
large and inexplicsble interests for the
Uncompahgre valley and adjacent coun-
try.
For the scheme to be an untramm meisd
success. we bespeak for 1t the sympathy,
support and cooperation Of all the peo-
pie Of Montrose and Delta counties.
Knowing the plans of the government
and the requirements to be me: and
learning officially that many land own
ers arc Withholding compliance with
these reasonable government plans and
thus endsngering the schemes perfect
work: I therefore deem 1t advisable to
voice few facts through your columns.
The questions are many and large but
few points in brief ut this time must
suffice.
Fears have been entertained by some,
that. supplying this great rich valley
with water would tend TO overstock the
ranges with cattle and the valley with
hay, thus cr,ppliog both lines OF busi.
ness.
The writer having been 10 touch with
this movement since it's inception and n
seeker for light on various problems,
submits the following to meet the prem
ise just submitted.
Cattle raising and feeding is ono OF
the great industriee OF A msrics aud the
world.
When tho ranges become limited A.
they eventually must. cattle can and
will be raised snd fed on the product OF
the valleys and plsins. but this 10 sec.
ondsry At present.
At this stage in the industry the cat
tle arc provided and the great question
10 where can they bs fitted Tor market
the cheapest. 'a+@ss IF.
They arc nov being shipped out Of
our state and through II to the corn and
grain belts OF tho east when with our
alfalfa belts perfectly developed we need
not take any second place ss bref pro.
ducing ceDters.
For illustration the folio wing are esti
mates believed to be safely and justly
made.
Reckon the besfng sessou TO be eight
months. an acre Of lows or Illinois land
will produce say eighty bushels Of corn.
the eighty bushels Of corn xill feed
steer five months, to prolonx his feed for
tho eight months would reg uirs the pro-
duct Of three tsths Of tho second acre
thus requi g the output OF 40 acre and
three ffths to feed the steer eight
months. Reckoning the slislfs feed an
acre OF land to produce five tons. steer
will cat 1900 pounds per month.
Therefore tho product Of 40 acre at al.
fIlfa will feed him eight months.
The product OF IN acre Of alfalfa can
be produced and givon to the animal
cheaper than Gao an acre 0t corn.
From this bssis Of reasoning 1t is
strikingly apparent, that our alfalfa val
Icy has superior advantages over the
corn and grain sections u the east.
1t 10 affirmed by practical meat men.
that alfalfa fed beef dresses up equal. II
not superior to corn fed beef and takes
no second place 10 the market.
Gentlemen Sirs E. J. Matbsws and Z.
E. Mower topped the May market ut
&4.25, for drove OF steers fed On moth
iug but aIfalfs aud water on Tongue
creek. Defts county.
Gentlemen Sire Bull Bros. aud T.
Mostyn OF Tongue crook, Delta county.
provided q select drove VI steers fed only
on alfalfa and water, for the 81. Louis
exposition to compstN ~ith the world
and experts believe tbSy will take no
second place. I
Bring water into this valley in sbuh
dance for winter use 10 we'll a. summer,
thus aiding 1t to I'll its rich mission snd
II will become . great producing and
feeding center and thus sstonish tardy
people with its future possibilities s0d
wealth.
This IL most evidently forseeD by
gentlemen. sirs J. B. Rhulaud and bis
a..oc;a tas who ara now coDst tructinu n
dressed meat establishment st Delta.
To oil owners Of land In the valley e.
f,ionds OF enterprise snd American pros
perity, We appeal to you that every acre
b subscribed Tor. thus aiding our eper-
gstic bosrd Of the Uncompsbgre Water
Users association to be sbie to comply
with the requirements Of the Govern.
msnt for the completion Of this very
echom0,