Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1876-05-13
The ella Valley.
The San Francisco Bulletin, o
April u. has the fnllOMinr:

/ The San Francisco Bulletin, Of
April "a, has the following:
/ The ella Valley, both IN New Mex
leo and Arizona, is just now attracting
considerable attention. Several RAIL
roads under construction are appoach-
ing that valley-the Southern Pacific
from this side; while the Denver and
Rio Grande narrow guage road Is al
ready near the bOarders of New Mex
leo. Then the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe railroad is heading for that
valley, while Col. Tom Scott is strik-
ing out for the same country.
Steps have been taken To organize
a colony IN Chicago from the Fifty
seventh Illinois Regiment, to occupy
the upper portion, or New Mexico part
of the ella valley. We do not know
yShf9attgGf eqWi696T 3Gd TRaRPttee9e5S3
may be that old associates IN arms have
formed lifelong frienshlps, and that a
certain hOmogeneity would be- assured
from the start Promising that the
material is good, such a colony ought
to be successful. There was once
million of people in that valley and on
the small tributaries flowing INTO the
ella. The remains of cities indicate
even q greater density of population.
The valley OF the ella is By far the
best part of Arizona for agricultural
purposes, and Is the best part of New
Mexico. The Tribune publishes some
statements of the resources Of this val
ley, from which we make extracts.
In the valley of the ella there is an
immense breath Ut land susceptible OF
successful cultivation. Corn, barley,
wheat, cotton. and all the veget-
ables of the temperate zone are already
probably cultivated by the few white
settlers between the canyon and SAGA
ton, and by Pima and Maricopa Ind
ians between Sacaton and MaricOpa
Wells. Below the latter station there
is at present no cultivation, except in
small gardens at some of the mail sta
lions on the lower river. The ella val
lev proper has about 100000 acres of
arabic land its five principal tributa-
ries, the valleys of the Aravaipa, San
Pedro. Santa Cruz, Salt River and
Colorado, 10000 more, making in all
10000 acres capable of sustaining an
agricultural and mining population of
200,0 600, which is no doubt low eSti-
mate. During the same season the same
land produces two crops. one of wheat
and another of corn. The breadth Ofland
now under cultivation is quite small,
only some 5000 acres. In common
with New Mexico that part Of South
ern Arizona lying east of line drawn
from BOcOquivari to the ella above
Sacaton, possesses great pastoral adj
vantages. Ii is covered at all times of
the year with q magnificent growth of
grama grass, one of the most nutritious
grasses known to stock-raisers, and at
no season Of the year do cattle need
other shelter than that offered by ma
tural variation in the surface of the
ground.
The agricultural lands, we presume,
require irrigation, although in some
places one crop may be secured from
the natural supply of moisture. The
ruins" show prominently abandoned
irrigation bitches, and clearly indicate
that this was one of the features of the
ancient agriculture. Along the streams
there is a considerable growth of cot
tonwoOd and mesquite trees The Pr
ma Indians occupy some portions of
the valley, and being honest and peace
able, they are a protection against the
hostile bands of Apaches, which of
late have behaved tolerably well The
Mormons also are making preparations
to settle up 4 portion of this valley.
When it shall be accessible by rail
roads, as it will be very soon, large
population will flow in, and a number
Of towns will be SIRE TO spring up
there. Settlers will also be near to Il
very rich mineral region. The copper
mines of the ella valley are very rich,
while gold and silver mines of great
value are in the vicinity.
We do not cite these facts TO induce
people to start tor the ella valley sud
denly. That valley is part of the ter
ritory usually termed the Pacific coast.
1t is far more accessible from this side
of the country than from the other
In short the ella valley is an adjunct
of California. The Southern Pacific
will be the first railroad 10 enter that
valley, which it will probably strike
within eighteen months, and possibly
sooner. II there are very great advant
ages for settlement in that country
these facts may be of as much interest
CD this side of the country Us they can
be CD the other.