USA > Colorado > Larimer County > History of Larimer County, Colorado > Part 26
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S. L. Macdonald, B. S. (Ind. State Normal), Professor of Mathematics.
Harry D. Humphrey, Capt. U. S. A. (Ret.), Professor of Military Science and Tactics.
H. E. Kingman, B. S. (C. A. C.), D. V. S. (Kansas City Vet. College), M. D. V. (McKillip's Vet. College, Chi- cago), Professor of Veterinary Materia Medica.
L. M. Taylor, Secretary of The State Board of Agricul- ture and the Faculty.
E. R. Bennett, B. S., M. H. (Mich. Agr. College), Pro- fessor of Horticulture.
T. M. Netherton, A. B., A. M. (William Jewell Col- lege; Univ. of Chicago), Principal, School of Agriculture.
F. A. Delay, B. S. (E. E.), Univ. of Wisconsin, Profes- sor of Physics and Electrical Engineering.
C. H. Hinman, A. B. (Univ. of Nebraska), Superin- tendent of Extension.
Ralph Parshall, B. S. (C. A. C.), Assistant Professor in Civil and Irrigation Engineering.
Fred G. Person, B. A. (Univ. of Colorado), Assistant Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering.
SIMON GUGGENHEIM HALL OF HOUSEHOLD ARTS
George E. Morton, M. L., B. S. A. (C. A. C.), Professor of Animal Husbandry.
Fred C. Alford, M. S. (C. A. C.), Associate Professor of Chemistry.
Burton O. Longyear, B. S. (Mich. Agr. College), Pro- fessor of Botany and Forestry.
S. Arthur Johnson, M. S. (Rutgers), Associate Professor of Zoology and Entomology.
Mary F. Rausch, B. S. (C. A. C.), Professor of Home Economics.
I. E. Newsom, B. S. (C. A. C.), D. V. C. (San Francisco Vet. College and Kansas City Vet. College), Professor of Veterinary Anatomy.
C. L. Barnes, D. V. M. (N. Y. State Vet. College), Pro- fessor of Veterinary Surgery.
B. F. Kaupp, M. S. (C. A. C.), D. V. S. (Kansas Vet. College), Professor of Veterinary Pathology.
Sarah I. Kettle, A. B. (Univ. of Colorado), Professor of Modern Languages.
Alvin Keyser, B. S., M. A. (Univ. of Nebraska), Pro- fessor of Agronomy.
Inga M. K. Allison, E. B. (Univ. of Chicago), Profes- sor of Home Economics and Acting Head of the Depart- ment.
Charlotte A. Baker, Librarian.
INSTRUCTORS AND ASSISTANTS
D. C. Bascom, B. S. (Kansas State Agr. College), Gen- eral Secretary of College, Y. M. C. A.
B. G. D. Bishopp, B. S. (C. A. C.), Instructor in Animal Husbandry.
L. C. Bragg, Curator of the Museum.
Zula M. Brockett, B. S. (Tarkio College), Instructor in English and Literature.
Albert B. Cammack, M. E. (Iowa State College), In- structor in Mechanical Engineering.
George M. Cassidy, B. S. (Univ. of Vermont), Physical Director.
Phebe S. Copps (Armour Institute of Technology), In- structor in Home Economics.
J. Blaine Crabbe, A. B. (Ohio Wesleyan Univ.), B. O. (Emerson School of Oratory), Instructor in English.
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E. Arlene Dilts, Assistant in Library.
Margaret Durward, Ph. B. (Univ. of Chicago), In- structor in Mathematics.
H. E. Dvorachek, B. S. A. (Univ. of Minnesota), In- structor in Animal Husbandry.
Anna Elizabeth Elwell, B. A. (Univ. of Colorado), As- sistant in Physics.
Julius Erdman (College of Horticulture, Roestritz, Ger- many), Gardener and Instructor in Floriculture.
D. W. Frear, B. S. A. (Univ. of Minnesota), Instructor in Agronomy.
Fred N. Langridge, M. E. (C. A. C.), Instructor in Mechanical Engineering.
James D. Marshall, B. S. A. (Univ. of Wisconsin), In- structor in Agronomy.
Miriam A. Palmer, A. M. (Univ. of Kansas), Instructor in Freehand Drawing.
W. A. Peek, B. S. A. (Iowa Agr. College), Instructor in Farm Mechanics.
Michiel Pesman, B. S. (C. A. C.), Instructor in Botany. Hiram Pierce, Instructor in Carpentry.
Maude A. Propst, A. B. (Rockford College), Instructor in Home Economics.
Fred J. Rankin, B. M. E. (Univ. of Kentucky), In- structor in Forge and Foundry Practice.
Annie L. Robinson, B. S. (Teachers' College, New York City), Instructor in Domestic Art.
S. Van Smith, B. S. (Kansas State Agr. College), In- structor in Horticulture.
J. S. Standt, A. M. (Franklin and Marshall College), Instructor in Electrical Engineering.
Mrs. C. Agnes Upson, Assistant in Physical Culture for Women.
Carey E. Vail, B. Sc. (Nebraska Wesleyan), M. A. (Univ. of Nebraska), Instructor in Chemistry.
Ida Walker, Assistant in Library.
W. E. Vaplon, Instructor in Animal Husbandry.
FACULTY COMMITTEES
Executive-J. W. Lawrence, S. Arthur Johnson, Geo. H. Glover, B. F. Coen, S. L. Macdonald, Virginia Corbett, Alvin Keyser, T. M. Netherton.
Social-Virginia Corbett, Margaret Durward, B. G. D. Bishopp, E. B. House, T. M. Netherton.
Rural Education-S. Arthur Johnson, B. F. Coen, T. M. Netherton.
Catalogue-B. F. Coen, S. Van Smith, B. O. Longyear. Athletic-Geo. M. Cassidy, S. L. Macdonald, Ralph Parshall.
Advanced Degrees -- Wm. P. Headden, J. W. Lawrence, W. R. Thomas.
Introduction of Fruit Growing in Larimer County
The following article on fruit growing in Lari- mer county was written in 1898 by Charles E. Pennock, of Bellvue, whose phenomenal success as a theoretical and practical horticulturist makes him an authority on the subject :
"If in 1859 or '60, when crowds of people were flocking to Pike's Peak in search of gold, had one among the number ventured the prediction that the Great American Desert would ever become what it is today, and (from the progress now being made) what it is sure to become in the very near future,
that person would have been adjudged insane and a fit subject for an asylum, had there been such an institution in the land. Despite the evidence on every hand to the contrary, then and for many years after, the general belief and cry was that no fruit could be grown in Colorado. Better native fruits were not in the United States than could be found growing wild at that time along the streams, on the Plains and in the mountains to timber line, and in assortment sufficient to supply the table in a satisfactory manner.
There was one who took Nature's hint, and Abner Loomis, of Larimer county, putting his faith into action, brought 500 apple trees and several sacks of walnuts and hickory nuts for plant- ing. These were brought across the Plains with ox teams in 1862, probably the first ever brought into the state. These were mostly planted on Mr. Loomis' farm in Pleasant valley, some being given to the neighbors for trial. Some of the trees, still bearing and fruitful, stand witnesses to the wisdom and forethought of the planter. From the walnut seed planted, there is on the old place a grove of trees that for size can be equalled no other place in the state. While Mr. Loomis was laying the foun- dation for orchards in northern Colorado, Jesse Frazer was doing the same for the southern part, and with equal success. These two names should go down in history as the heroes of Horticulture in Colorado.
"Their early plantings induced others to try, but with varying success. Trees were usually received in poor condition, irrigation was but little under- stood, and there were other drawbacks, so that fruit growing was not begun in earnest until W. F. Watrous, J. S. McClelland, A. N. Hoag, Z. C. Plummer and P. P. Black, by their intelligent application of the principles of irrigation and pains- taking experiments as to varieties, proved that fruit growing could be developed into a safe and profit- able industry. The experiments of these old pio- neers and their ever ready help and advice entitle them to the thanks of every citizen of the county who has been encouraged by their experience to like- wise become planters.
"Each year brings a great increase in planting, and if the present rate continues, it will not be long before the tillable part of Larimer county will be as one vast orchard. It was at first supposed that only the hardier sorts of crabs would succeed, but experience has shown that not only all the varieties of apples might be grown successfully, but also plums, cherries, pears, peaches (the last to a limited
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extent), grapes, blackberries, raspberries and all small fruits could be raised to perfection.
"As is general, here too, the apple occupies the most important place in the list of fruits planted. Under irrigation it attains its highest excellence. In no other country are apples so beautiful in color, or so fine in flavor, while so far as observation and experience go, any variety the taste desires may be expected to thrive.
In a commercial way, the most profitable are (winter) Ben Davis, Winesap and Jonathan; (fall) Wealthy, Utter's Red and Haas; (summer) Red Astrachan, Dutchess and Red June.
"As plant life thrives in Colorado so does insect life, and most of the fruits grown have each their peculiar enemies that can only be kept in check by the intelligent application of remedies. Among the most troublesome diseases of the apple tree in the past has been the blight, a fungus that attacks the twigs and sometimes the trunk of the tree. Its fatal effect has been confined mainly to the crab varieties and as they are dying out, so is the blight becoming less prevalent. There have been many remedies recommended for this disease, but no cure has ever been found. The best "remedy" is to plant varieties that are least subject to it, by which course blight is not particularly to be feared. The leaf roller, coddling moth and the wooly aphis prey on apple trees, but the use of the modern spray- ing apparatus and insecticides render them no dis- couragement to planting.
"Pears have of late years been but little planted. The first plantings being for the most part killed out by fire blight, it was generally thought of no use to try further But it is now known that with pears, as with apples, there are kinds that do not blight. The Seckel and Tyson seem exceptionally free from the disease and there are doubtless other sorts later to become known. This branch of horti- culture has been neglected, and the one who plants a pear orchard of the right varieties has a fortune in store.
The canons of the foothills abound with plums of excellent flavor and color, and experience in planting cultivated sorts shows Larimer county to be a natural plum county. In general, American sorts do best, some of the European kinds proving tender in fruit bud, but enough of the latter have been tested to demonstrate that we can grow plums of the fanciest kinds. The worst enemy to the plum in this region is the gouger, but its attacks cannot be said to prove a real injury. It gives to overloaded trees a thinning which, left to man,
they in most cases would probably not get. This insect does not attack European sorts. As with the apple, many kinds can be successfully grown, but perhaps the most profitable are of American sorts, Sunset, Cheney and Forest Garden; and of the European, Moore's Arctic, Saratoga and Bradshaw. Other kinds may rank with these, or even supercede them, but so far nothing better is known.
"It is only the past few years that cherries have been planted in a commercial way, but present indications are that lost time will shortly be fully made up. So rapid has been the planting that as a consequence prices of trees are being advanced by eastern nurserymen. A single orchard planted last season consists of 11,000 trees, and there are numberless orchards of lesser amount. Cherries thrive wonderfully well in this latitude, and no doubt a large part of the country will in time de- pend on northern Colorado for this excellent fruit. The sorts principally planted are the Early Rich- mond and English Morello. Of the two, the Morello is larger and more productive at an early age, but seems to have an inherited weakness and as a rule is short lived. Mr. B. B. Harris is con- sidered the father of the cherry in the county, and it is mainly due to his effort that so many have been planted. As yet no insect preys on the cherry here.
"Peaches have not as yet been successfully grown in Larimer county, the winters being too severe. It seems to make no difference as to variety. They can be grown by protection, and it is possible the conditions may so change, by the modifying of the seasons, that in time even peaches can be grown profitably. The present season would indicate this, there being many trees loaded with fruit, and that without any winter protection.
"Any of the hardy grapes do well in the county. They bear abundantly, and need no protection after the first two or three years. Not much attention has been given to the planting of vineyards for the reason that grapes are shipped in from the East at such low prices that other branches of the business offer larger returns, though that grapes could be raised at a fair profit there is no reason to doubt.
"Enormous crops of strawberries are produced every year. So many new varieties are annually in- troduced, that from the long list of good sorts it would be difficult to name a few to be called best.
"Blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries and cur- rants do splendidly in a money making way, with very little trouble from insects or diseases. Black- berries and raspberries have to be protected by a covering through the winter, but this labor is not
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a loss, as the thorough cultivation thus given well pays for the labor cost.
"Of the wild or native fruits growing, the list is quite a large one, though the size and the quality of some of the fruits are not quite up to what it was in an early day; due to the filling up of the country with cattle which keeps tender shoots nipped off and thus prevent renewal. Many of the best fruits have been killed out and lost, though quite a number have been saved and added to the list of cultivated sorts. There are still to be found plums, cherries, currants, gooseberries, juneberries, buffalo berries, raspberries and strawberries, some of them the best flavor of any fruits grown. It is likely that the most value to be got from these native fruits is by crossing with the cultivated sorts and getting new hardy strains with added flavor.
"Colorado is justly noted for the color and flavor produced. So much is this the case that often old fruits in the East are not recognized after being brought under irrigation in the sunny clime of Colorado. And there is very good reasons for this change in the fruit. Heat, light and moisture are three necessary requirements for the perfect de- velopment of fruit, and these we have to depend upon. In the East when they get moisture they also get cool and cloudy weather, whereas here when moisture is needed, the headgate need only be raised and while the warm soil is absorbing moist- ure at roots of the tree, the bright sun overhead is coloring and perfecting the growing fruit. So much is the growing in the hands of man in Colo- rado, that fruit can almost be grown in color and flavor to order and still, with all these advantages for growing the finest fruits on earth, the same old croakers who preached for years that fruit could not be raised in Colorado, are now crying it is going to be overdone and when the trees now planted get to bearing crops there will be no de- mand for the fruit. For many reasons there would seem to be no danger of an overproduction. We are now undoubtedly passing through the most un- profitable period in fruit growing; rather too much for local needs and not enough for export. East- ern competitors need not be feared. They have their off years, while through the application of irrigation just when needed, fruit buds can be made to form here every year. Thus it is seen, Colorado can compete with the East in any year, and advantage can be taken of their "off" years to obtain better prices. From a small beginning only a few years ago the fruit industry has advanced
with rapid strides until it has become one of the most important industries in the state, and with the same rate of progress it will outstrip all others and take its place at the head. From a horti- cultural point of view, Larimer county has bright prospects."
County Fair Association
Following the completion of the Colorado Cent- ral railroad from Denver to' Cheyenne in 1877, immigration set in with considerable force and the county began filling up quite rapidly, so that at the close of 1878 the population had increased to about 3,000. Most of the new-comers were farmers from the middle west who came, as a general thing, with well-filled purses, strong hearts and willing hands to seek new homes in a more genial climate and where future prospects were brighter. Some of these purchased improved or partly improved farms, but by far the greater number located on new land, either under irrigating ditches already constructed or under new projects that were in course of construction. They were, in the main, an enterprising class of people who brought with them the inbred customs and habits of their former eastern homes. In this western land they missed many of the social advantages they had been ac- customed to, and with a spirit characteristic of in- telligent, well-bred native born Americans, they promptly set about supplying the missing links. One of the things they missed was the annual county fair, which had been a prominent feature in their former homes, and one in which they had taken a great deal of interest, and naturally, they desired to have it established and made a perman- ent institution in their new home.
The year 1878 was a fruitful one in Larimer county. Crops were good and the live stock in- terests had made rapid gains, consequently condi- tions were favorable for starting a movement in favor of organizing a county fair association. This was done in October of that year. The local newspapers discussed the subject freely and con- siderable interest was aroused among the people, especially among the farmers and stockmen of the county. It was finally thought best to organize a county fair association as a joint stock company with a capital of $3,000 divided into one hundred shares of $30 each. The stock was soon sub- scribed and an informal meeting of the shareholders was held in Wilson's hall on Saturday evening, November 16th. John C. Matthews presided; and
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I. W. Bennett was secretary. At this meeting a committee composed of A. R. Chaffee, A. J. Ames and Joseph Prendergast was chosen to select suitable fair grounds, not less than forty acres to be fitted up by the association, for holding county fairs and speed contests. This committee reported November 19th that forty acres of ground belonging to W. C. Stover, situated about one mile east of town, which could be obtained for $640, had been selected. The land was purchased and preparations for holding a county fair in the fall of 1879, were begun. On Monday evening the share holders held another meeting and perfected a permanent organization by electing N. H. Meldrum, president; J. W. Nor- vell, secretary; Joseph Prendergast, treasurer; Sherman Smith, Charles Baldwin, W. P. Morgan, Thomas Earnest, Marsh Jones, A. J. Derby and A. R. Chaffee, directors. The name adopted was the Larimer County Agricultural and Mechanical Association.
The first county fair was held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 9th, 10th and 11th, 1879, and it was a successful one. The exhibits in the agricultural, stock growing, mechanical and fine arts departments were excellent and attractive and the racing good. About 300 entries were made ; the weather fine and the attendance better than ex- pected.
At the second annual meeting of the stockhold- ers, held Saturday evening, Oct. 11, a new board of directors and new officers were elected as fol- lows: Directors, John E. Washburn, Thomas H. Johnson, Joseph Mason, Geo. E. Buss, W. S. Taylor, W. F. Watrous, Wm. N. Bachelder, Joseph Prendergast, E. E. Edwards, A. H. Patter- son and H. Stratton. The directors elected the following officers: President, Joseph Mason; vice- president, John E. Washburn; secretary, Harris Stratton; treasurer, Geo. E. Buss; superintendent, Joseph Prendergast.
The second fair was held four days, ending Fri- day, September 24th, 1880. A greater number of exhibits was displayed in each department than at the first fair, and the exposition was a success in every way except financially. Owing to windy weather and clouds of dust the attendance was light and the association came out in debt. The annual meeting of the stockholders was held on Thursday evening, September 23rd, and elected the following directors: John Riddle, Joseph Prendergast, W. F. Scribner, George S. Brown, A. J. Ames, Edson Warren, W. P. Morgan, John Hahn, J. G. Coy and R. Q. Tenney.
The third fair was held September 21st to 24th, 1881. The weather was fine, the exhibits in each department numerous, the attendance on the last three days unusually good, and the entertainment in the speed ring attractive. Altogether it was a successful and profitable county fair. John G. Coy was president of the association and R. Q. Tenney, secretary.
The annual meeting of the stockholders was held Saturday evening, September 24, and the board of directors elected was composed of William Calloway, N. C. Alford, J. G. Coy, Joseph Pren- dergast, John Riddle, W. F. Scribner, R. Q. Tenney, Edson Warren, P. Anderson, James Neville, J. J. Ryan. and James Sullivan. Secre- tary Tenney reported the association in a flourish- ing condition, with funds enough on hand to meet all matured liabilities and money to spare. The directors elected as follows: President, J. G. Coy, Vice-President, Joseph Prendergast; Treasurer, N. C. Alford ; Secretary, R. Q. Tenney; Superintend- eent, W. F. Scribner.
The fourth county fair was held September 23 to 26, 1882. The exhibits were not up to the standard set in 1881, either in number or quality, and the attendance was light.
The fifth annual county fair opened Wednes- day, October 3rd, 1883, with a fine display of live stock and agricultural products. Among the features were races between the Fort Collins hook and ladder company and the Greeley hooks, and hose teams of the two towns. The Greeley firemen won the first and tied with the locals in second race. At the close of that year's exposition the Larimer County Agricultural and Mechanical Association found itself deeply involved in debt and it was deemed best to effect a reorganization and start anew with more capital. To this end a meeting of the shareholders was held early in 1884, at which the following statement of the financial condition of the old association was read :
"The present financial condition of the associa- tion is as follows:
"There is an incumbrance on the 40 acres of land owned by the association and due
"February 1st, 1885, of. $3,000.00
"Interest on the above now overdue. 360.00
"Interest that will be due February 1st, 1885 360.00
"Taxes and other liabilities now overdue. . 640.00
"Total $4,360.00
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"The following proposition was then submitted to the meeting and adopted :
"'It is proposed to transfer the property to a new association to be known as the Larimer County Fair Association, for the sum of $4,000, the new association to pay $1,000 in cash to the L. C. A. M. and assume the encumbrance of $3,000 and interest as from the 1st of February, 1884, the cash pay- ment of $1,000 being used by the old association to pay the $360 interest now due and the $640 of other liabilities. The subscribers to the stock of the new association and amount of each subscrip- tion follows: F. L. Carter-Cotton, $250.00; W. F. Scribner, $250.00; I. W. Bennett, $250.00; James Sweeney, $250.00; Thos. Earnest, $250.00; Ab. Loomis, $250.00; P. Anderson, $250.00; N. C. Al- ford, $250.00; M. F. Jones, $250.00; Rogers & Williams, $250.00; John Riddle, $250.00; F. W. Sherwood, $250.00; B. F. Hottel, $250.00; J. S. McClelland, $250.00; W. B. Miner, $250.00; F. G. Bartholf, $200.00; P. S. Wilson, $250.00; Jas. B. Arthur, $250.00; John L. Routt, $200.00; T. A. Gage, $200.00; J. A. Brown, $200.00; Andrew McGinley, $200.00; H. T. Miller, $200.00; A. D. Gifford, $200.00; G. R. Strauss, $200.00; F. R. Baker, $200.00; Jud. Bristol, $200.00.'"
The new association was incorporated with a cap- ital of $6,250, the debts of the old association were paid off and plans laid for holding a county fair in September. The Industrial Association which conducted the county fair from 1879 was not suc- cessful. The new association, reorganized from the old, brought together men who were known as men who did nothing by halves, men of energy and enter- prise, men of influence, men of wealth, embracing some of the most substantial citizens of the county. These men went to work with a will and made many improvements on the fair grounds, including the erection of a fine arts hall and several additional stock pens and stalls for horses, and placed the speed ring in first-class condition. The officers of the new association were: President, F. L. Carter- Cotton; Vice-President, Abner Loomis; Secretary, I. W. Bennett; Treasurer, W. B. Miner; Direct- ors, John Riddle, F. W. Sherwood, B. F. Hottel, M. F. Jones, F. L. Carter-Cotton, Abner Loomis, I. W. Bennett and W. B. Miner.
The exposition held that year beginning Sep- tember 25th was far superior in every respect to any of its predecessors. The entries made in the differ- ent departments numbered 815, the number in each department being as follows: Farm products, 167; fruit and flowers, 20; dairy and poultry products,
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