Horticultural Resources of the Regions of Colorado. 55 



have constructed lakes and reservoirs to store the surphis flow of water, whili- 

 the streams are full from the melting snows of the mountiiins. In this way 

 hundreds of acres were irrigated that would otherwise be without water. 



There are four distinct divisions of climate in Colorado. In northern 

 Colorado none but the truly ironclad varieties of fruit trees can stand the ex- 

 tremes of cold that sometimes sweep over that country. 



The Arkansas valley not being subject to such extremes of cold as occur 

 north of the divide, is destined to become a favorite fruit growing region from 

 Canon City to the Kansas line. 



The valleys of the Uncompagree, Gunnison and lower Grand rivers, on 

 the Western slope of the Rocky Mountains, being influenced by current-s of 

 air from the Pacific ocean, are much hotter in summer and milder in winter 

 than any other portion of the State. In the southern part of the State is the 

 San Luis valley, watered by the Rio Grande river and its tributaries. Here 

 we tind a large area of fine lands susceptible of profitable cultivation. This 

 valley, together with those of the Animas and Delores, in Southwest Colo- 

 rado, is greater in altitude than Denver, but more free from the extremes of 

 temperature than any other section of our State. 



in wild fruits and flowers found growing in the mountains and canyons, are 

 many varieties, new and worthy of general cultivation. We have several va- 

 rieties of the red, black and yellow currant, some of them as large as the best 

 cultivated sorts. We have seen the large yellow currant growing on stalks 

 ten feet in height, that were both useful and ornamental, and worthy of a 

 place in any garden. 



Raspberries and strawberries are found growing from the foot hills to tim- 

 ber line. Huckleberries and serviceberries are also found in many places. 



The Sheperdi, with its gray leaves and red fruit are met with in gn-at 

 abundance on the Western and Southern slopes. On the head waters of the 

 Cache-la- Poudre river, in Laramie county, and in the North Park, are found 

 a peculiar dwarf cherry, growing on a bush or shrub no larger than a gocs.-- 

 berry bush, but bearing such enormous crops of fruit as to completely pros- 

 trate the branches to the ground. The fruit is nearly as large as the May 

 cherry, a little pungent to the taste, but when cooked making excellent .sauce 

 or jelly. 



The wild plums found growing only on the Eastern and Southern slopes 

 of the Rocky Mountains, are the most valual)le and promising of all our na- 

 tive fruits. While many varieties are of but little importance, we often find 

 varieties superior in size and quality to many of the varieties now in cultiva- 

 tion. We have seen red, yellow and spotted plums, with small socil an<l soliil 

 flesh, larger than the Wild Goose and Miner. 



The flora of Colorado, like its natural scenery, is rich, varied, and exten- 

 sive, furnishing the student in l)otany a field of interesting .study. 



Mountain ivy, clematis, spireas, rcses, wigelias, snowberrics, columbine, 

 lilies, pinks, and .scores of others, combine to make beautiful oid fmtTani 

 the wilds of these grand old mountains. 



