Pine and cedar grow on the mountains in the central and northern part of the Territory, and walnut, cherry and cottonwood are found along the streams. On the plains south of the Gila only the cactus, artemisia and mesquite can live. The climate is mild and generally healthful, lung and malarious diseases being almost unknown. The summer temperature of the treeless plains in the south is intensely hot, the thermometer often indicating 118 Fahrenheit, and rarely falling in winter below 34 . In the central and more elevated portion of the Territory the temperature is moderate, seldom exceeding 90 in summer.
Snow falls on the mountains, but remains only a short time.
The rainfall along the Gila averages from four to five inches, while at the base of the range it rises to twenty-five or thirty. Showers are most frequent in July and August. Arizona was first visited by Spanish exploring parties as early as 1526. They found there indications of mineral wealth, but also warlike and hostile Indians, so that they made but few settlements, and the country was but little better known when it passed into the hands of the Americans than it was 300 years before. It is an information resource against which we will gladly check stock availability for you.