Arizona citizen., 1876-02-26
SOUTH OF TUCSON.
santa Cruz Valley Past and Present -Cerro Colorado, GuIja and YeI-
 


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 As matters of observation and re creation, we recently spent a week ir looking at the Santa Cruz valley to { few miles above Calabasas; what vel remains in sight of the famous CerrC Colorado mining works and mines the recently discovered silver ledge in tho Guija mountains; the Ostrich quartz mill and the mining done and being done on the Ostrich gold ledge.
 THE SANTA CRUZ VALLEY.
 Thls valley has certainly been Oc cupied over one hundred years. It: entire length bears certain evidence oI this fact. Considerable settlement; have grown up and disappeared, and there is not even satisfactory historical connection between the former and the present settlers Ruins of buildings IGncluding mining wOrks,) larger and better than any now occupied, consti- tute the indisputable testimony of the comparative extent of the former people and their improvements. This teStimo- ny may be seen at San Xavier and other points near Tucson, but the more ob- vious proofs are presented about Tubac and south of it. To students and very inqulsitive people, much that we could write in this behalf, would doubtless be interesting, but with the farmer, stock grower and miner struggling along to meet current necessities with hopes of something more, it would probably have a mere passing thought, and therefore we will turn to brief notice of advantages the valley now presents for the settler, and some of its improvements.
 Like all or nearly all streams be- tween the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, the Santa Cruz runs under ground here and there and sinks entire ! ly just below Tucson and many miles before its junction with the Gila. Of course, water can be had anywhere by digging, and by proper economy ill say ing and distribution many more farms could be supplied with the running water, and this is evidently recognized by the people who are now beginning to make new homes at various places. Rich bottom land is miles wide here and there, with table and noun tain lands on either side, covered with the best grasses. At places, are extensive and heavy growths of mesquite and at all points enough to supply fuel and some building material for years to come; near the stream, much cottonwood and some willow grow, and some of the former is large and can be made useful in building, fencing, &c. High up the valley, or rather in the elevated lands adjacent, there Is much live oak. At this time, the valley is about equally devoted to stock-growing and farming-the former probably prevailing. The lack of Win ter rains is severely felt at this time by many of the stock men, and some of the farmers apprehend the scarcity of water for the last irrigations of their crops; in fact every interest will to some extent suffer unless considerable rain falls soon. The valley and more desirable sections near it, are alive with cattle and sheep, and as whole they are in good condition, and many very fat. The time WAS when prudent men would carefully herd during the day and inclose their stock at night, but it is plain that those who give thelr ami mals greatest liberty, have the most thrifty ones. MaiSh & DriScOll's cattle, and those of Otero and Benedict, are in excellent condition, and they run at will: and it may be said that all cattle along the valley, save those recently brought from Sonora, are in thrifty con dition, and the sheep are generally improving With sheep, more care is required, and it is quite certain that their health and therefore growth will he best promoted by shearing twice each year.
 About the usual area of barley and wheat is being cultivated, and at pres ent the prospect, owing to failure of the usual Winter rains, for full crops, is rather gloomy, although the grow ing grain now looks healthy. Atsight, one is impressed with the superior character of John T. Smiths culti- vation. He has sold off all cattle and hogs, and save necessary horses, keeps no stock and is devOting his whole attention to growing grain and vegetables. But we may here re- mark by the way, that NIT. Smith takes great interest and pleasure in raising rame chickens and is well Hp in all .' the points" of them. He has grow ing about seventy acres of wheat and barley and has plenty of water to in sure good crops. He is preparing a large area of ground in admirable shape for growing vegetables, and will rive this branch of business the larger share of his time. But for the possi- bilitv that valid Spanish or Mexican grant may be found to cover hIs farm,