Arizona citizen., 1875-05-22
GOV. sAFFORD's REGENT TRIP.
A Flying Trip Through the Terri tory by the GOVermOr-..What he saw on his JOUrney---A Visit to Some of the Principal Mines.

We are under obligations to Gov. Stafford for the following items relative 10 the country over which he has recently trav- eled:
 MARICoPA COUNTY has suffered during the past two years in consequence of a surplus of grain having been raised and consequent low price for the same. But the most prudent and 1n- duStriouS farmers have lived within their means, have improved and beautif1ed their homes, accumulated hogs, chickens, and cattle, and are generally in an inde- pendent situation. Much of the farming land was not planted this season, anu in conSequence of the breaking of irrigating g gated at the proper time and will therefore be short, but the prospect for better price will probably make up for the de- ficit. The irrigating ditches were taken out in Salt river valley by farmers of linn ited means, and the locations were situa- ted where they could be constructed in the cheapest and speedieSt manner, as a con- sequence most of the dams and ditcheS at the head are liable to wash away and leave the farmer without water when most needed. It is estimated that q ditch could be constructed where the head of 1t would run through solid rock for $50 GOO, of sufficient capacity to carry all the wa ter in Salt river. Hon. John Smith has made careful estimate Of the cost to farmers of irrigating from the present dtches, and he estimates that water from the larger ditch could be sold tO them for less than half of the present cost, and at the same time make a profit to the owneIS of fifty per cent. per annum. It will no doubt prove valuable investment, and for the interest of Salt river valley and the advancement of the Territory It Is to be hoped that a company will at once be organized, and that every one who is able will give aid.
 The town of Phenix is improving. Gold water & Go. have disposed of their mer- cantile business to Smith X Stearns. The new firm have a large and well selected stock of goods, they are liberal, go-ahead men, and will no doubt do well.
 Immigrants are constantly coming into the valley and they generally seem to be the right kind of people. They say they have come for the purpose Of securing cheap homes, and certainly they could nowhere be better accommodated.
 The policy of early setting out vines is exem plified by Mir. Wilson, who put out q vineyard about three years ago, and this year he expects to raise l5,0U0 pounds of grapes.
 YAVAPAI COUNTY.
 On the southern edge or this county is To- eated the Vulture mine. The old com- pany with hundreds Of thousands of tons of low-grade ore in sight. in conse- qQence or mis1nanagement has suSpen- ded operations. The law of Congress re- uuir:ng work to be done on mines by Jan uary 1, 1875, was not needed, and pr. Jones and others relocated it, and it. is to be hoped that one of the most valuable mines on the coast will not much longer remain idle.
 Smiths I0-stamp mill Is kept constant ly running on ore taken from an eXten- sion of the original mine, with profitable results. Bill Smith. who Is live Arlzon- an, says that since he has cast aside all new fangled machines and discarded all scientific advice, he has had no difficulty by hard knocks and plain common sense, in making it pay, \ few miles above this mill RambOZ has the best fruit orchard in Arizona. The yield of peaches and ap- ples this year will be light in consequence of late fr0sts, but grapes will be abundant, and the ground is now red with delicious straw berries.
 Wickenburg, three miles above, in con- sequence of the stOppaSe of the Vulture mine, which was it's chief resource, is rath- CT dilapidated. It contains three stcres, two saloons, and one of the best stations in the Territory, kept by Dr. J. Ii. Pier son, the stage agent. There are many promising looking mines about Wicken- burg, and it is more than probable that before long Wickenburg will again assume it's former prosperity.
 Passing on towards Prescott, the road leads by the Weaver mines, where gold by thousands was taken out d few years ago, with crevicng knives. A goOdly numbe of miners are still at work here making small wages, and there are many promis- ing looking quartz lodes in the vicinity, which time and capital will doubtless de- yelop,
 Next comes Peoples valley, where the farmers never fail to raise good crops with out irrigation. The grazing capacity is excellent, and the farmers seem thrifty and happy.
 Kirkland valley comes next and might be said to he part of the same. as the. water passes through both and forms tue head of the Santa Maria, which StifI lower down, is called Bill Williams Fork}' In this valley Judge Bidwell, fOrmerlY.o< Yuma euunty, ana well known as Oneso< AriZona's best legislators. has his famil& herds and hocks. Judge Kelsy and C Beach have also a large herd of cstcl and it is no boast to say that their 6uff> and cheese is equal to any made iA q Duchess county.
 Skull Valley is next reached, and5F gardleSS of it's name, it compares Xe| with the valleys before mentioned. If no fault of the valley because it's nano Skull. A few years ago large numbef Indians undertook to block the highVH at this point. A number of teams VI stopped by them, which they thOugHt make an easy capture of, but cOncea{ within the wagons were d number of ar{ ed men, who opened such galtlng hrA4 them, that the Indians fled in disn11 leaving forty braves dead on the grotIfE Their bodies enriched the soil and th& skulls have since been scattered af11' loose, gave the name to the valley, I other valleys, Mint and American, Prescott is reached.
 The tall waving pine trees, the bris4I air and pure cold water, all combilf61 make Prescott one of the most desir9 Summer residences in the Territory. business of the place seems to be oE healthy. solid foundation. Merchant disposing of large stocks or goods d