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The Mormons were the first to grow fruit in the arid section of the West, where it was widely assumed nothing could be produced. The history of their immigration to Utah, their hardships and privations they endured, are so well known that it would be out of place to recount them here, even if space permitted. I regard to their early efforts in fruit growing, Mr. Anthon H. Lund, Historian of the Latter Day Saints, communicates the following -
"In a General Epistle of the Church, dated 1847, to the saints throughout the earth and signed by Prest. Brigham Young, the following paragraph appears: To all saints, we would say, come immediately and prepare to go West, bring with you all kinds of choice seeds, of grain, vegetables, fruits, shrubbery, trees and vines, -- everything that will please the eye, gladden the heart, or cheer the soul of man, that grows upon the face of the whole earth; also the best stock of beast, bird and foul of every kind that shall tend to promote the comfort, health, happiness, or prosperity of any people.'
"On the 23d of July, 1847, the advanced company of the Pioneers camped on what was subsequently known as the 8th Ward square of Salt Lake City. Apostle Orson Pratt called the camp together, dedicated the land to the Lord, invoked his blessings on the seeds about to be planted. ‘What,' in the language of Apostle Woodruff, ‘was to hinder the house of God from being established in the mountains, and exalted above the hills, and these valleys from being converted into orchards, vineyards and fruitful fields.' The first successful plowing was performed by Wm. Carter, and a company commenced the work of getting out water for irrigation.
By August 26th,' the historian records, ‘the colonists had laid off a fort, built 27 log houses, plowed and planted 84 acres with corn, potatoes, beans, buckwheat, turnips, etc.'
Among the ‘seeds' blessed by Elder Pratt and afterwards planted were peach, apple, pear, plum and other fruits. In due course of time these bore fruits, to the great joy of the people. Nor were shade trees lost sight of, for quarts of locust seeds were also put into the ground by the pioneers, and at the time of this writing many of the Pioneers' shade trees can be seen in different parts of the city.
"During the year of 1856 the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society was organized for promoting the introduction, improvement, and multiplication of everything needful in land culture, stock-raising, manufactures, etc., suited to our varied conditions and industries.
"It has always been our custom to plant fruit and shade trees in the formation of new settlements at the seasonable times of year. Our cities towns and homes all over the Inter-Mountain region, including the neighboring states, Canada and Mexico, are embowered in and surrounded in by fruit trees, flowers, etc.
"Bancroft, the historian, states that In 1875 (there were only approximately 100,000 people in the Utah Territory) Southern Utah produced 544 acres of grapes, the total yield being about 1,700 tons; and the value of Utah's orchard products, in 1883, including apples, - of which there were 90 varieties, - pears, plums, quinces, cherries, peaches, currants, and berries of many descriptions, was estimated at $157,000 (this is approximately equal to $3,710,000 in 2012). The yield of apples was about 90 bushels to the acre, of pears 75, of peaches 120, of plums 165, and cherries 75."
For more on the early pioneers and their planting view this document from USU.
