Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1890 — GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. [ARTICLE]

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.

A Remarkable Frail Region, as Well as Ser Agrieultnral Fnrpeees, for Health, lie. (From the Change Juki tenner.) titaAMs JuncuMK, Cole., Jan. U, 1880. Ed. Obaxob Jvds Pasxxb: Per sems time past I have notieed in toe leading papers or teis state, and mo is especially in tue great dailies ei Denver, glowing editorials and correspondents’ descriptions of the Grand Talley. Thinking there might be something in that section which would be of interest to your readers, year correspondent made a trip ever there with a view of inquiring into facts aad tarnishing them to toe public through toe columns ©i toe O. J. Farmer. Grand Y alley, or that portion of it embraced within toe coniines of Mesa County, extending from the town of Deßeqae to some thirty miles west of the otty ot Grand Junction (the county seat of Mesa County), dia not at toe first glance impress me lavorably. 'i he climate is particularly dry and bracing, being toe nearest approach to perpetual sunshine found on this continent; end while a olimate of this kind is especially healthml and congenial to the invalid and by no means unpleasant even to the robust, without irrigation it is not oonger.ial to plant file. But as one looks over tne fruit orchards and larms that have had irrigation and cultivation one’s first impressions fade fast away and he becomes rapt in admiration of the prolific soil, with its wonderful productions of fruit and vegetation. The Grand Valley is situated in Western Colorado, on the line of the Denver and Kio Grande Bailway. It has an average altitude ot about 4.500 feet above sea level; and until a few years ago was ocoupied by the Utelndians. Its soil is rioh and deep, and its climate mild and dry, having neither extremes of heat nor cold, and is tree from hailstorms, blizzards or cyclones, la short it is all that cor Id be desired, and I believ -, without a single drawback. Until within the past two years its possibilities as a fruit-raising country were unknown. and in fact hot until the orops of the past year were harvested did it dawn upon the residents of the valley that in its fertile soil and magniheent climate the Grand Valley possesses greater sources of wealth and happiness than the rioh mineral camps immediately surrounding it. Beaches, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, especially those ot raisin varieties, and berries of all kindß. yield abundantly. From 5-year-old budded peach trees were gathered this lust fail 300 lbs. to the tree, aad apples even doubled that quantity. When it is remembered that in an area of country 700 to I,‘JUO miles immediately surrounding Colorado, though rich in precious minerals and settled by prosperous communities, yet with the exception of a few localities of limited area this whole vast territory is almost destitute of fruit, and has to receive its supply from California, then the importance and value of a fruit-growing country which equals that of California, situated right in the midst of this fruitless eountry, •an be appreciated. For the consumptive who has not entered upon the last stages of the disease, and in fact to nearly every other invalid suffering from chronic diseases, this valley will prove a veritable paradise. Mot only does the region offer health, but a congenial easy outdoor occupation, and a sure competence. As an evidence of this faot, I will cite one instance brought to my own observation. One citizen here, over the age of sixty years, with a paralytic wife, with only a lew dollars caDital to start with, and not even ahorse to aid him, has by his own efforts put into fruit a tenacre tract, setting out about two acres the first year, and so on. increasing year by year until his whole tract was planted. During that time he has supported himself and taken care of his invalid wife by planting other crops between his trees until they were old enough to yield: Here are the re * suits: From his 5-year-old trees he gathei od and sold over S7OO worth of fruit to the acre: from his 4- year-old trees about S3OO -per acret-aad from his 3-year-ol4s about ?150 per acre. His land has also increased in value from $25 per acre to IIiOOO per acre, and he has now an assured income of

$3,000 to $4,000 per year. This is not an isolated case. What this old man has done, surely any one with reasonable energy and a small capital can do. The best fruit lands, under ditch, can still be bought at from fifty to one hundred dollars per acre, and can be set out into fruit orchards at about $35 per acre, aud made to pay their way by planting other crops between the rows, and In three years they will bo worth S4OO to SOOO per uore, and will inoreaae in value at the rate of SIOO per acre per year for several years thereafter, while on aooount of climate, as I have said, this valley-must become the paradise of the sick and enfeebled. 1 do not wish to create the impression that equal inducements are not held out to the robust, aud especially to those who are situated in countries that are subject to blizzards, oyolones or extremos of heat or cold, for besides the advantage of climate offered, more money can be cleared on ten acres set out in fruit in this valley without the expense of hired help, than on many three hundred and twenty acre farms with a large capital invested in stock and implements. Nor is there danger of the fruit industry being over-done, as to-day California is shipping to a country seven hundred miles nearer to Grand Yalley than to California. over ten million dollars’ worth of fruit per annum I There is one advantage this valley possesses I mast not overlook; it has an abundance of water for irrigation purposes, more in faot than can ever be used. While so far I have only spoxen of fruit, in my next I will have something to say of cereals and vegetables. Yonr correspondent is indebted to W. J. 8. McFarland, the Secretary of Grand Junction Board of Trade, for valuable information, and any one sufficiently interested in Grand Yalley to make inquiries will always find him ready to furnish suoh information as he may

have.

W. W. F.