Excerpt of the book "Writer and Engraver's Picture of Graham County's Progress Since Its Organization" (1906)

The Clayton Farm

(pages 63-65)

These two views are from the orchard on the Clayton Farm, in the northern part of Graham county, on the famous "Bow Creek Divide."

The orchard consists of about 500 trees, and is now yielding apples, cherries, plums, pears, peaches and apricots. It was set out in 1899 and 1900. The ground was raw prairie only a few years ago. Modern methods were used is setting out and cultivating the trees. Good, reliable nursery stock was used. The weeds have been kept from growing, some mulching was used; but the "dry farming system" was thoroughly practiced by keeping the surface of the ground loose to a shallow depth during the summer. The ground was never allowed to lose its moisture by evaporation, when possible to prevent it.

Mr. Clayton has recently moved to Hill City and is now editor of the Hill City New Era. He asks $15,000 for his three quarter sections of fine, level upland and second bottom, with Bow Creek touching its southern border. Mr. Clayton spent ten years on the farm and demonstrated, the same as many others have also done, that the raw prairie can be turned into a comfortable home with pleasant surroundings, and pay handsomely for the labor of subduing the soil and farming it with due regard for western conditions.