The Delta independent., 1910-01-07
Colorado,s Great Fruit Crop.

Colorado's income from the fruit
growing industry in 1909 was about
(: G7, 500. 900, or fully twice as great as
for any previous year in the history OF
'the state, says the Denver News-Times.
OF this vast crop. Delta contributed
larger portion than any other county
IN the state.
Colorado fruit growers sold during
1909 about 4,5O0 cars of apples, or
about the same amount as was sold
from all the other states of the union
combined.
Colorado's apples are sold around the
world and are the recognized standard
of quality in all markets they have en-
tered. Every state in the union used
Colorado apples last year. In addition
Colorado apples were shipped to Liver
pool, Glasgow, London and many mar
kets on the continent Eager pur-
chasers willingly paid as high as 81. SO
per fifty-pound box. They were sold
in British Columbia and other Canadian
provinces in competition with Canadian
apples. after the high freight charges
to the Dominion were added to their
cost. They sold in Boston at 10 and l5
cents each and by the box at an average
of close to 81, and were so much in de-
mand that the Boston Chamber of Com
merce has taken steps to teach New
England some of the apple growing
"secrets" practiced in Colorado so
that New England farmers. may com
pete with the Centennial state growers.
Colorado's peach crop last year was
fully one-third larger than for any pre-
vious year and the prices obtained were
the highest on record. The demand for
them was far in excess of the supply
and the extent Of the market was limit
ed only by the-production. Though the
Colorado peach has not achieved so
wide a reputation as the Colorado apple.
it is said to be due entirely to the fact
that it cannot be shipped with the same
freedom as the apple and for that rea-
son has not entered SO many markets.
Small fruits. including cherries.
pluns, nectarines, grapes and straw
berries, are being grown successfully
in many sections Of the state and added
over $500, 900 to the total fruit income
for the state last year. The quantity
of these fruits produced is increasing
rapidly each year. Growers who are
making specialties of them have found
that they can all be produced at great
profit.
The story Of the phenomenal success
Of last years fruit crop in the state is
that of the successful battle of the
smudge pot against the Frost King
Though the Grand valley had three kill
ing frosts after the trees were in full
bloom. the orchards were SO effectually
heated by the thousands Of smudge
pots that practically no damage re-
suited. In the Canon City district the
freeze was even more severe, but the
triumph of the smudge pot there was
complete. Other smaller fruit growing
sections tell the same story Of success
full battle against frost and thus the
crop of the entire state was saved. In
Delta county, the smudge pot was little
used.
With the perfection of the smudge
pot Colorado fruit growers have defeat
ed their last and most destructive
enemy and it is now confidently assert
ed that Colorado fruit can never again
be failure.
Spraying has now been so perfected
that the life of the trees is absolutely
protected and the fruit is almost entire
ly free from the stings and bites Of in
sects. making it the most perfect that
can be produced. 1t is this perfection
in form and color, added to the wonder
full flavor given by the unparalleled
Colorado climate, that makes Colorado