10 A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE 
surplus brought one dollar per tree this season. The 
three acres, after bountifully supplying his own needs, 
gave a money return of $300. Among Mr. Eaton’s small 
fruits, are a few dewberries, of which he speaks in the 
highest terms. 
The estimated area of lands occupied by fruit in Lar¬ 
imer County is 600 acres. Nearly all of this area is in 
small farm orchards of from two to ten acres. There are 
but few large commercial orchards. The first fruit plant¬ 
ing in the County was done by the early settlers in the 
valley of the Big Thompson, commencing in 1863. The 
early experiences in this valley were similar to those on 
the St. Vrain, and of the orchards now standing, none 
trace their beginning further back than 1867. Most of 
the trees now bearing were planted at various times from 
1873 to 1880. The good and profitable crops obtained 
from these orchards has given encouragement to further 
planting, and during the last three years the additions 
have been large. From present indications, the planting 
for 1892 will exceed that of any previous year. 
In the valley of the Cache la Poudre, the first plant¬ 
ing of fruit trees in Larimer County of which I have defi¬ 
nite information was made in 1874. It is probable that 
a few trees may have been planted in the neighborhood 
of La Porte at an earlier date, but of this I am not certain, 
The early planting about Fort Collins w r as done in direct 
opposition to the very generally expressed opinion that 
fruit planting was useless. This sentiment grew out of 
the early failures at Greeley, and it was several years be¬ 
fore successful ventures in fruit growing finally overcame 
it. That there is now an established confidence in the 
success of fruit growing, may be seen in the many young 
orchards scattered all through the valley. 
Among the pioneers in fruit growing are: Mr. A. N. 
Hoag, who planted his first trees in 1874, and who for 
