SURVEY OF COLOEADO AND NEW MEXICO. 147 

 VEGETABLES AND FRUITS. 



Irish potatoes seem to be perfectly "at home" in Colorado, growing 

 readily and abundantly, except in the extreme southern portion, and 

 even here, until we pass the line into ISTew Mexico, quite good crops are 

 raised. Not only does this tuber grow well in the valleys east of the 

 mountain range, but even far up in the narrow defiles nine and ten 

 thousand feet above the level of the sea, wherever space and soil can be 

 found, they yield quite bountiful returns to the labor bestowed upon 

 them. The northern section, from Box Elder to the South Platte Valley, 

 I think is decidedly the best potato region west of the Mississippi and 

 east of California ; not only in regard to the amount of the crop raised, 

 but also in respect to the quality of the tuber. 



The first new potatoes we met with large enough to eat were at South 

 Boulder, July 6. Even at this early date in the season they were of quite 

 good size, rich and mealy. Their rapid growth in very favorable spots 

 sometimes causes a defect, which is also occasionally seen in the Western 

 States — a vacant space in the center, lined with a dark internal skin. 



No finer region for keeping this vegetable through the season can be 

 found than Colorado ; its pure, dry atmosphere renders it easy to keep 

 them perfectly sound the entire year; so true is this, where proper 

 care has been taken, that when cooked it is often imi30ssible to distin- 

 guish the old crop from the new. 



Some of the finest patches I saw growing were along the margin of 

 Clear Creek, between Denver and Golden City, where the stream bursts 

 its way through the lofty mesas which here flank the mountain range. 



Onions grow finely, except in the extreme northern part of the Terri- 

 tory. The Mexican variety, which is found south of the Divide, grows 

 to a very large size, one having been measured by Mrs Colonel Hart, at 

 Fort Garland, whose circumference was seventeen and a half inches ; 

 very often they are found weighing two and three pounds. 



As we approach New Mexico, going south, they have the finest and 

 mildest flavor of any onions I have ever tasted, which seems to be pecu- 

 liar to the climate and soil of this country, for when they are taken from 

 here and planted in other sections, although they may grow well, they ap- 

 pear to lose this peculiar flavor. I was informed at Las Vegas that both 

 seed and onions had been sent to the States, and that, in every case, such 

 had been the result; hence, it is supposed that this delicious flavor is 

 peculiar to this country. 



Turnips and cabbages also grow quite w^ell throughout the arable por- 

 tion of the Territory, and esj)ecially in the northern section. Instances 

 have frequently occurred where they have grown to almost fabulous size. 

 The former grows well and jDroduces quite abundant crops even in the 

 little- valleys far up in the mountains. 



Beans are raised in considerable quantities in the southern portion of 

 the Territory, and are much used. But they are subject to the attack 

 of a small insect, probably a species of Saltioa, which often does much 

 injury to the crop. Although I did not have an opportunity of seeing 

 this insect, yet 1 saw some garden patches in Santa Fe which had been 

 literally riddled by it. 



In regard to fruits, I am not able to speak positively, as sufdcient time 

 has not elapsed since attention has been turned to them to complete the 

 experiments which are being made. But from all the indications attend- 

 ing these experiments there is good reason to believe from Platte Valley 

 south all the. hardier, and perhaps other fruits, may be grown success- 

 fully. Quite a number of orchards have been planted in Platte Valley 



