The Delta independent., 1909-02-26
Delta at Colorado Springs
The Gazette Boosts the Future Great of the
Western Slope.

the Uncompahgre flows into the Gun
rison, and occupying the center of
the widest portions of these river val
leys, is a twin city of Montrose, and
likewise is growing like weed. To
the south is the rich Uncompahgre
valley where 10000 acres will be ir-
rigated on the completion of the Gun
nison tunnel, and up and down the
Gunnison are miles of rich bottoms
which, with the irrigated mesas, con-
stitute an extensive tributary coun-
try.
During the past year Delta, al
though yet only village, spent
$4,000 for new buildings, $4,000
more than in the previous year.
Scores of modern dwellings and hand
some business blocks have been COM
pleted. and work is now in progress
an even greater number.
Delta now has population of over
1000, and public improvements are
going ahead rapidly. The town pos
sesses municipal water and sewer
| systems, HdS an tltNAilt
plant. a irst-class school system.
eight active religious deminations,
many fraternal organizations, and no
saloons There are half a dozen fac
tories. as well as two telephone sys-
tens. two National banks and three
newspapers. and a fine opening for a
number of other industries.
In fact. it is especially favored for
manufacturing by reason of the fact
that within the borders of Delta
county are great coal deposits. and
coal is now sold at from $3.50 to
$3.50 per ton for domestic use. The
range mesas are covered with pines
and cedars, providing cheap lumber,
and brick and cement factories are
now operating in Delta, utilizing
nearby deposits of shale and clay.
1t is difficult to say to what Delta
is better adapted fruit growing,
stock raising, vegetable or cereal cul-
tivation-for in all these lines re-
suits are attained that no other sec
ton even of Colorado can surpass.
In the forest reserves, of which there
are $50. 900 acres in Delta county, is
ideal summer grazing land, and there
are 800, 900 acres of winter range for
stock: but the constant reclamation
of the mesa is displacing stock grow
ing in favor of vegetable. grain and
fruit culture, the last of which yields
astonishing returns. There are now
81, 900 acres of bearing orchards, and
apples. peaches, pears, prunes and
cherries return profits running into
many hundreds of dollars per acre,
While berries, grapes and cantaloups
have no superior. Delta cantaloupes
have been adjudged superior to those
of Rocky Ford at two state fairs. her
apples and peaches have won first
premium. From berries and grapes
the income is enormous; as high ae
$1,000 has been yielded by one acre
of berries. and grapes yield from $500
to $500 an acre.
In the growing of sugar beets Delta
county leads the state, and in 1906
produced an average of 17.65 tons
per acre. as against 1897 for her
nearest competitor. In 1907 she led
again and although figures are not
available for 1908. 1t is probable the
tii,k was again duplicated. The av-
erage return to the beet farmers OF
Delta county is $75 an acre. Delta
county beets lead in the percentage
of saccharine matter, according to
tests made in 1907.
Alfalfa, wheat, oats and potatoes
are grown extensively in Delta coun-
ty, and net substantial profits. Be
sides it's use for stock feeding. alfalfa
commands good market among
breeders OF range stock, while wheat
and oats sell to the local flouring
mills or to the nearby mountain
camps Potatoes yield as high as $50
to 400 bushels per acre. and bring
as good prices as the Greeley
"spuds"
Poultry and bee culture are grow
ing industries in Delta county and
the demand for their products great
ly exceeds the supply. In 1907 over
thirteen cars of honey were shipped
from Delta, bringing the growers
$4,000. The alfalfa blossoms and
sweet clover with which the mead
ows abound is an ideal bee food.
1 Although Delta county has not
been so prominent in the public
prints as some other sections of the
state, her lands are not excelled for
II agriculture, and in yield and quality