The Delta independent., 1910-12-16
D.LTA COUNTY MAKING
REMARKABLE PROGRESS
Fruit journal Publishes Splendid
Article on Delta COunty's
Resources

Resources
While Delta county, Colorado, To-
Gated on the sunset side of the con-
tinental divide, has in recent years
won an international reputation for
its diversified crops, with a greatly
increased. acreage of bearing or
chards each year, that section is
fast becoming known to. the world
as a record producing county in
fruit districts of the United States.
More especially is this prevail
ing tendency to commercial fruit or
chards noticeable in the North Fork
OF the Gunnison river valley, which
traverses the county, with its ad-
jacent mesas and benches. At Pao-
mia and Hotchkiss in Delta county
there are many old orchards, but the
interested traveller who visits this
section of the county will note that
for a distance of over ten miles
the valley presents the appearance
of one vast orchard in various per-
iods of growth, from yearling
whips to spreading apple and
peach trees, each over score of
years of age.
In addition to it's well earned
reputation for fruit production and
its ideal soil for fruit raising, there
are few districts in the land that
possess the ideal climatic and seem
ic conditions that are an adjunct
tc the Paonia section. Set down
deep in a cash in the Western
Slope of the Rockies, the contented
tillers of the orchards at Paonia,
through the summer months can
raise their eyes to the heights
OF eternal snow. Within a few miles
of their homes the finest of hunt
ing and fishing abounds. Coming on
down to Delta, the county seat,
you are in the midst of thousands
OF acres of land coming under water
from the famous Gunnison tunnel
project This district under its pri-
vate bitches has been devoted more
tALtuSiNtiy W Tic Suibult VI
ia, sugar beets and potatoes, with
fruit playing a constantly more i'm
portant role. AS a rule most of the
orchards will be found on the
ready for the water and the settler
can be found here in abundance.
That Delta county is proven
fruit district is best shown by its
record at the Interstate Fair and
Congress at Denver, and also at the
State fair and Irrigation Congress
in Pueblo this year. In an interview
on the subject, H. A. Richardson,
Delta county horticultural inspector
who had charge of the work OF get
ting these exhibits together and who
accompanied them, said:
| Delta county made a small ex-
hibit at the Interstate fair held in
Denver, September Bird to nth, win
ming fifty premiums on commercial
apples and peaches, such as first
on best box of Jonathan and best
collection of perfect peaches.
"At the Colorado State fair held
in Pueblo, September 18th to cath
inclusive, Delta county in sharp com.
petition won S5 premiums, winning
irst on nearly all commercial apples
plate and box displays, and shutting
out all competition on Elberta peach
es, both collection and plate exhib-
its, losing sweepstakes only by be-
ing counted out by a number OF
worthless varieties of no CONNER
cal value.
again at the 18th National Ir-
rigation Congress, September 26th
to 31st. held in Pueblo, Colorado,
Delta county scored complete vic
tory over all competitors, winning
the Guggenheim silver trophy for the
best display of fruits from any coun
ty under irrigation. The horticul-
tural inspector had charge of this
display and feels pretty well sat
isfied with the results.
Delta county can do much bet
ter If organized and will make a
record that all Western Slope will
be proud f.'-Intermountain Fruit
Journal.