The daily sentinel., 1906-11-07
A CATECHISM
OF Grand Junction and the Grand VAL
ley--Questions Answered
Which Have Been Ask
ed in Letters.

2S miles east of the Colorado-Utah
boundary. midway between the north
and south lines. II is at the conflu
ence of the Grand and Gunnison
rivers. Its population is 5000. 1t
is the county seat of Mesa county.
What constitutes Mesa county?
That region of Colorado extending
from Delta and Garfield counties on
the east to the Utah line. and con-
tanning an area larger than Della
ware. with 100000 acres of farming
and fruit land.
What was the assessed valuation of
Mesa county for 1906? $4,919.O00.
What about taxes? State and coun-
ty taxes for 1904 were two and a
quarter per cent on one third yalua
ton.
What are the principal character
lstics OF the soil? Alluyial deposits in
low lands. granite in the higher
lands. with numerous combinations
and variations.
Is the soil durable2 AS nearly in
eNhaustlble as any soil known.
Do all soils require irrigation? Yes.
What is the cost per acre per year
for water? Except in few cases not
to exceed rs cents per year.
How is the water obtained for ir-
rlgation? By gravity bitches and ca
nails from the Grand and Gunnlson
rivers and creeks. through which
water is conducted onto the lands;
and also by pumping plants operated
by steam and water power, both of
which, when understood, would not
be exchanged for any country where
they depend on rain.
What Is the water supply? There
is enough water running to waste to
water four times the amount of ag
ricultural lands in the county. Hence
disputes over water among ranch
men are unknown.
What is the range of price on un-
improved lands? For ordinary agri-
cultural lands from $45 to $50 per
acre. owing to the character and To-
cation; for good fruit land with water
from $50 to 500 per acre.
What makes the difference in
price? Quality of soil. climatic con
ditions, proximity to town and rail-
road. and lastly the reputation of
the locality and canyon winds.
What can improved property be
bought for? Farm property from
$40 to $3.50 per acre. according to To-
cation, conditions and productive
ness; Fruit lands from $500 to $500.
Same conditions as above.
Where are the cheap lands? Near
the mountains, several miles from the
railroads.
What are the principal fruits?
Peaches. apples, pears. plums, prunes,
nectarines, apricots, almonds, nat
i've and foreign grapes and all kinds
OF small fruits.
What is the value of the products
por acre after the trees begin to
bear? At present prices from 500
to 800. after fourth year. and from
Sam n 9Qnu altar aIghth ynar do
pending on circumstances.
What was the fruit crop harvested
in 1905? The Fruit Growers associa-
ton shipped 27.S16,714 pounds for
which they paid the growers $437,-I
154.33 and they estimate that this
is about one-half of the entire amount
raised in the valley.
How many cars of fruit were ship
ped? over 1000. minimum $4,000
pounds each.
How can you show the growth of
the fruit industry? In 1887 few
pioneer orchards came into bearing.
AT present there are about $4,000
acres set to fruit.
Is the acreage devoted to fruit
culture being enlarged? II is. rapid
ly Over 100000 standard trees
having been set out in the spring of
1906
What is the cost per acre in set
ting out an orchard? An average
price of $50, per acre.
How many years after planting be.
fore fruit trees begin to bear? From
two to four years, depending upon
the variety.
What is the cost for caring for n
productive orchard? From $40 tol
$40 per acre annually
Can full bearing orchards be found
for sale, and If so at what price?
From $500 to $1,000 per acre.
Is experience needed in growing of
fruit? Yes. but 1t can be easily and
rapidly acquired.
How are the fruits disposed of? In
the fresh state to markets of the
United States, Canada and Europe. by
express In car lots and even in train
loads.
Is there not danger of overproduc-
tion? Statistics show that consump-
tion of fruit is increasing more rapid
ly than the production. Owing to|
the high quality of our fruits We have
never had enough to supply the de-
mand.
Do crops find ready transportation?
Three great railroads center at Grand
Junction and run through the valley,
affording ample facilities.
per aere2 Wheat. 25 to so bushels;
oats. 40 TO 100 bushels and corn,
80 to 40 bushels,
What vegetables are grown? All
those grown in every section of the
United States.
What can be made per acre in
small fruits and vegetables. while the
trees are growing? From $50 to
$40. In many cases from 5000 to
5000 has been made in the raising
of vegetables. berries. cantaloupes
and potatoes.
What hay crops are raised2 Altal-
ia is one of the leading crops.
What is the yield of alfalfa per
acre? With proper irrigation it is
cut three times during the season,
April to October, yielding four TO
eight tons of superior hay per acre.
What is the value of such hay? II
averages So to IS per ton in the
stack.
What profit is there in poultry
raising2 Success is varying, Fowls
sell from IS to Sc per dozen. Eggs
average % cents.
What inducements are offered TO