The Delta independent., 1909-09-10

been competed. IL Is estimated that
nearly fifty thousand fruit trees were
planted in Redlands in the spring of
1908.
THE NORTH FORK VALLEY.
Fifteen miles east of Delta the Gun
nison River emerges from the Black
Canon, into whose inaccessible gorges
it plunges at Cimarron, forty miles
above. and from this point it flows in
wider valley. This valley and that
of the North Fork of the river, COM
prise what is known as the North Fork
country. The North Fork Valley is sur
rounded by mountains so high. and
with such continuous ridges that it is
almost completely protected from
storms and cold waves. Though the
valley is higher than some of the other
fruit valleys of the state, its climate
has been adjudged the best of all, and
its soil has been found to join with the
climate in producing that delicate but
profitable distinction of quality which
puts North Fork" fruit in class just
ahead of extra fancy" all by itself.
The language of official reports by
disinterested experts upon the North
Fork Valley exceeds in enthusiasm that
of the residents. For example. after
Prof. II. S. Van Deman, pomolgist of
the agricultural department at WASH
ington. had visited the valley, he re-
ported to the government as follows:
I'm all my travels have not seen a
more profitable or delightful place to
grow fruit than the North Fork of the
Gunnison River. The fruit interest
here is beginning to override all others,
and orchards are being planted in every
direction. The table lands. or mesas,
are entirely free from alkali properties,
and seem to be best for fruit. They
are extremely well adapted to all kinds
of deciduous fruits. The peach, april
cot and all deciduous fruits were bear
ing profusely. No insect enemies were
seen or heard of in this vicinity"
THE WATER SUPPLY AND SOIL.
The North Fork Valley is watered
by streams whose sources of supply lie
high on the surrounding mountains, and
maintain constant flow, sufficient for
all the land in the valley. The soil of
the North Fork Valley is light. easily
worked and unfailingly fertile. 1t is
exceptionally free from alkah.
In the higher reaches of the valley,
where it gets too cool for all kinds of
fruit always to succeed, immense crops
Of alfalfa and hay are grown, while
the slopes of the mountains just beyond
afford abundant pasturage for the cat
tie and horses that are raised by the
valley farmers.
A branch of the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad from Delta extends 4s miles
to Somerset. where are coal mines pro-
ducing very good grade Of bituminous
coal. This line runs almost continuous
ly through farms and orchards and in
summer and fall is kept busy with
trainloads of peaches, apples, sugar
beets and other products of the valley.
Hotchkiss, 25 miles from Delta, was
thriving town when its sole outlet
was a wagon road. 1t has population
of !. 200, and an elevation of {, 1863 feet,
boasts Of one of the largest mercantile
establishments on the Western Slope,
two churches, two banks. fine stone
school house. two telephone systems.
first class hotel, and has within ten
miles, and only slightly developed, what
seems to be one Of the largest deposits
OF anthracite coal in the United States.
In the vicinity Of Hotchkiss there is
80, 600 acres of land under cultivation,
and more than million dollars invested
in ditch improvements. The town is
surrounded by orchards, while the
mountain scenery is very fine. The
discovery Of radium springs within two
miles of the town may add the attrac-