The Delta independent., 1911-02-17
THE BEAUTIFUL VALLEYS
AND MESAS VASTLY RICH
Oliver Y. Baker of HOtchkiss,
Writes Splendid Article on
Delta County.

divide the clear mountain waters
of the Gunnison and North fork
rivers wind their tortuous way to-
ward the pacific. Along these rivers
lie beautiful valleys and rich mesa
lands, nesting snugly between tow
ering snow-capped mountains which
rear their gigantic bulk beyond the
clouds.
Here the lover of nature can sat
isfy his every wish for magnificent
scenery, mountain trout and winged
game.
Such are the inducements for the
man of leisure to devote his time
to delightfully."- healthful recreation
but if that were all, this story never
would have been written.
The lavish hand with which nature
has spread her scenic splendor,
serves but to enhance the practical
value of the valley and mesa lands.
Here, as perhaps in no other part of
the world, exists a happy blending
of rugged grandeur and marvellous
productivity. Here the settler may
build an ideal home and enjoy all
the advantages of pioneer life, with
out any of its privations or hard
ships. Here the farmer may nave
his house furnished with electric
lights, telephone and running water,
with mail and groceries at his door.
Automobiles are not uncommon.
OF what advantages can metro
politan city boast, that cannot be
had on a farm in Delta county?
Social conditions are the best.
Refinement and culture of a hlgh
order prevail. Good schools are
here. and churches of all denomina-
tions That enterprise which is char
acteristic of the West. is nowhere
better exemplified than in the splen-
did achievements. present, past ana
future, of the people OF Delta county
Electricity is produced very cheap
". because of the abundance and
force OF the water power. This will
inevitably result in great industrial
development in the state.
The mineral richness of the state
is known throughout the world. Coal.
fire clay and granite are found in
abundance in Delta county. The
purest gypsum beds in America nave
recently been opened up in Delta
county. Soft coal of the finest kind
can be had at the mines, short
distance from the fruit section, at
a cost of $3.50 per ton.
Wood in plentiful quantities can
be had in the foot hills for the cut
ting. Pine and spruce timber grow in
great profusion on the government
forest reserve and is protected by
the reclamation service to such an
extent as to reduce to minimu um
fire and waste. This not only insures
wood for all time to come, but pre-
vents the rapid melting of snow in
the spring. thus assuring a more
gradual distribution of snow water
for irrigation purposes.
So much for the mountains, mines.
forests and streams; but the sub
ject to be dwelt upon in this article
is the agricultural and horticultural
wealth of Delta county.
Twenty-eight years ago Delta
county was an Ute Indian reserVa-
ton. Today Delta county is pre-
eminently the greatest fruit pro-
ducing county in America.
In 1895 a few orchards came into
bearing. In 1909 there were 10000
acres of developed orchards. The
farmers received 100000 Tor
their crops. There were 400 cars
of fruit shipped. The apple grow
ers received s2.500.O00; peach grow
ers 100000; sugar beet growers
s250.000; potato growers $4,000;
$50 OOO. bee
keepers $4,000 for their honey.
Did the Nile or any other valley
ever equal. in its palmiest days, the
productive wealth of this great, fer
tile county of Colorado?
The climate of Delta county is
ideal for fruit growing. The average
altitude is $500 feet. The hish
mountains which almost entirely sur
round the valleys and mesas of the
Gunnison and North Fork rivers
regulate the climate. They obstruct
the high winds so that storms are
unknown in the valleys. The clouds
being attracted to the mountains b.
magnetic influence. assures the ag-
ricultural and horticultural sections
of 320 days sunshine. The summer
temperature seldom goes above So
degrees. T he nights are always cool
and refreshing. the air lighht ana
invigorating These cool nights are
a material factor in giving firmness
to the fruit.
Although the fruit industry leads
all others, 1t is by no means the
only one followed. Stock raising
and general farming ocCupy places OF
prominence. Alfalfa. potatoes, hay
grain and cantaloupes are grown very
successfully and sold at encouraging
PROFITS. The cantaloupes are just
little sweeter and jucier and COM