The Delta independent., 1906-10-26
APPLE KING OF FRUITS.
Visit to Several Delta County
Orchards Leads to This
Conclusion.
TREES BREAK UNDER BURDEN.
Great Orchards To Be Appreciated Must Be
Seen Ia Full Bearing and
Beauty Of Color.

This article was prepared for publication last
week. but the crowded condition Of our col
umns prevented its u>e.
The editor. accompanied by Mrs.
Duffield. her sister Mrs. C. E. Wright
of Montpelier, Idaho, and Mrs. n. H.
Castle, drove up to the lower Surface
Greek country Sunday forenoon in order
that we might see something of the
great 1906 apple crop in the full flush
of color before it was all taken from
the trees. 1t was a trip well worth the
time and expense. for it gave US clear
er conception of the present greatness
and wonderful future possibilities of
this king of all countries.
The first stop was made at the 200
acre orchard owned by the Colorado
Fruit Co. Manager Lyle was not at
home but we We're courteously given
the privilege of driving thru the place.
1t is fine sight to see 200 acres of fruit
trees in one body. A view of the whole
orchard can be obtained from the hill
above. While there was no one to give
tS,bs We uIlltl Nilts nave dDout AZ
acres of bearing orchard. the balance
consisting of younger trees. One 40 acre
tract is in young peach trees. They
look thrifty and it will not be long until
they will begin to bear. The entire
tract presents well kept appearance.
The next stop was at Henry Hawker's
place. Fortunately Mr.. Hawker was at
home to pilot us about. To say that he
has a great orchard is only putting it
mildly. 1t is immense. Such fruit in
such abundance is a sight for a king.
Most of the trees that have not been
picked are loaded to the ground. One
was so burdened that it completely split
to pieces, despite the efforts of Mr..
Hawker to prop up the limbs and bolt it
together. We failed to make list of
the different varieties, acres of orchard
and other interesting information, as
our time was limited, but we can truth
fully say that the entire party were
truly delighted with the visit to this
famous orchard. Mr.. Hawker gave US
a fine selection of the various varieties,
to be displayed in the INDEPENDENT
window and the usual number of people
are stopping each day to admire them.
At DR.. Miller's place no one was at
home but we took the liberty to drive
around and to our inexperienced eye it
seemed that he has an orchard that is as
near perfection as it can be made. The
land is absolutely clean, the rows of
trees perfectly straight and space be-
tween rows sufficient to give ample
room for future growth. The trees are
almost uniform in size and we judge
that few were lost from the first plant
ing. 1t is noticeable that the most pains
taking care has been given to pruning.
The Miller Mcconnell place is undoubt-
edly one of the best kept and most
promising to be found on the Western
Slope.
Delta people should get out and see
these orchards and the many others We
had no time to visit, for in such man.
ner we gain an appreciation of what We
have and of what the future will be,
that could be secured in no other way.
The better we understand the resources
that are so abundant all around US the
better we are prepared to do something
to further our collective interests.