The daily sentinel., 1906-11-09
CATECHISn
OF Grand Junction and the Grand Val
ley--Questions Answered
Which Have Been Ask
ed in Letters.


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 1s062 s4.9I9,00O.
What about taxes2 State and coun-
ty taxes for 1904 were two and a
quarter per cent on one third Falua
tiOn.
What are the principal character
istlcs of the SOLE Alluyial deposits in
low lands. granite in the higher
lands. with numerous combinations
and variations
Is the soil durabie2 AS nearly in
exhaustible as any soil known.
Do all soils require irrigation? Yes
What Is the cost per acre per year
for water2 Except in few cases not
to exceed IS cents per year.
How IS the water obtained for ir-
Figatfon? By gravity bitches and ca
nails from the Grand and Gunnlsou
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 S45 to $50 per
acre, owing to the character and To-
cation; for good fruit land with water
from $50 to 800 per acre.
What makes the difference in
price? Quality OF soil. climatic con
dltions. 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 10
cation. conditions and productive
ness; Fruit lands from 5000 to 800.
Same conditions as above.
Where are the cheap lands? Near
the mountains, several miles from the
railroads.
Peaches, apples, pears, plums, prunes,
i've and foreign grapes and all kinds
of small fruits.
What is the value of the products
psr acre after the trees begin to
bear7 At present prices from 800
to 500. after fourth year. and from
5000 to $500 after eighth year. de-
pending on circumstances
What was the fruit crop harvested
in 1905? The Fruit Growers associa-
tlon shipped 27.s16,714 pounds for
which they paid the growers S437.-
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 1897 a 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? 1t 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 500. 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 a
productive orchard2 From $40 70
500 per acre annually.
Can fun bearing orchards be found
for sale. and II so at what price?
From 5000 to 81 900 per acre.
Is experience needed In growing OF
fruit? Yss, but It 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-
tion2 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.
What do the various grains yield
per acre? 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 Anal
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? 1t
averages s5 to IS per ton in the
stack.
What profit is there in poultry
raising2 Success is varying Fowls
sell from SIS to SC per dozen. Eggs
average 2 5 cents.
What inducements are offered TO
dairy men? Dairy products find a
ready market at good prices, butter
averages 25 cents per pound during
the entire year.
What minerals are produced in
~ a