The Delta independent., 1910-12-16

OF applying water SO that our apples
placed in cold storage are the best
keepers in the world. Fruit growing
is made profitable by the orchard
lists setting out their trees and then
setting the ground between the trees
in small fruits and other suitable
crops until the orchard comes into
bearing. thus making their lands
produce heavily almost from the very
start. Sugar beets, corn, potatoes
and a variety of crops are a source
of income during the infancy of an
orchard.
This ability to occupy the land
while the trees are growing enables
men of very moderate means to ac-
Guire orchard land, plant trees and
make living while the orchard is
reaching a productive stage. The
science of horticulture as practiced
in Colorado is very much less diff
flcult than where the fruit grower
has to meet each year and each
season, constantly changing and un-
certain conditions. When a man buys
land in Colorado valley and goes
to raising fruit is usually surround
ed by successful orchards from the
owners of which he may obtain all
the information he needs as to the
methods of cultivation, spraying,
pruning, etc. Conditions through
the season and year after year re-
main about the same and always
under control. Some of the leading
orchardists of Colorado, men of
wealth all made from their trees,
were but a few years ago railroad
brakemen, carpenters. miners cow
boys or freighters and acquired
the skill which made them success
full while their trees were growing.
What one man accomplished in
ten years time: In 1898 w. F. and
G. H. Duke engaged P. G. Slatten
to care for their fruit farm. He
proved to be a man upon whom the
could depend and after serving five
years in this capacity there was
created in him a desire to own q
fruit farm. One day in conversation
with w. F. Duke. he made known
this desire and Mr.. Duke being ac-
auainted with Mr.. Slatten's financial
abil ty, made a proposition that he
would sell him forty acres of land
at s1,25O0O, and he could pay for
(, Gno iolI NTr
Slatten accepted the proposition. In
the spring of 1898 he set out about
two acres of trees, the next spring
he set out a few more acres, and SO
on, until thirty-five of the forty
were planted.
During the first five years Mr..
Slatten worked for some one else
at good farm wages and hired some
one to care for his orchard part of
the time at less wages. He had
wife and three children for whom to
provide during this time and has
had fourth child within the
last three years.
They have not neglected their
children's education. 1908, the last
year of the ten. he harvested from,
the first seven acres of apple trees
that were set out, $500 boxes. or
bushels of apples that brought him
$3,5O0.OO.
Ten years ago Mr.. Slatten was a
poor man; today he is out of debt
and owns a beautiful home, valued
at 100000. A home of which any
man might be proud to own. This
orchard is located two miles north
of Hotchkiss.
Small Fruits.
Small fruits sare raised to perfec-
tion in this locality such as straw
berries, currants, gooseberries, dew
berries, blackberries, raspberries.
cherries, grapes, etc. A good feature
in their production is that they do
not have to be buried or mulched in
winter time. A ready market locally
and in the mining camps can be
found at all times.
G.. l.. Greenwood sold from one