Arizona weekly miner., 1877-05-18
LANDS ON TIE CHA RIVER.

Mir. Hinton, of the San Francisco Post, in describing land on the Gila which can he taken up under the Desert Land bill, and in speaking of the valuable ranch of the
 MeSsrs. Redondo, of Yuma, says:
 THE SAN YSInRo RANCH
 Contains some l.50O acres. The greater portion of il iS on the railroad lands. Two quarter sections are being pre- empted, and one section is to be taken up under the Des- ert Land law. MT. Rcdondo has been try jag to irrigatc successfully since 1869. but though he spent considerable money, he was not successful till this location was selected. The canals on the place arc at least 27 miles in length; the main ditch is nine miles. the connecting one 6, and the distributing ditcheS about l2 miles in length. The work was commenced in 1871, and at least $25,- 900 was spent before cent was realized. Last year was the first one on which any profit was realized the net returns being about S2l GOO, on which some S6,000 was profit. The returns for the present year will he, it k estimated, about as follows; Barley, 100000 pounds; wheat. BOO .000 pounds; hay. 800 tons The grain will sell at 3 cents per pound. realizing S24,0OO. The hay will average SlO per ton, or $9o,- GOO. Nearly or quite onc-half of this will be profit. Some 800 head of stock, chiefly COWS, are also on the ranch, though they are generally turned on the river bottom. The MeSSrs. Redondo are enthusiastic over their prospects. Their
 MARKET Is A SAFE ONE.
 The fort, the mail contractors. and the freighters and the immigration, and now the railroad also make an active demand for all that can be raised. They arc making preparations to live on the ranch. Two large granaricS and other buildings are al- ready constructed; others, and large adobe house, are being built. One of the eNperi- mentS they are making iS the cultivation of the sugar cane. Last year they had twenty acres, and would have endeavored to make sugar but for the loss of a mill which they had shipped. They made, however, some 600 gallons of capital molasSes. This year they have thirty acres in cane. and have a small mill ready. If successful, they pro pose to enter on the cultivation extensively. They have also tried cotton, and find that il will do exceedingly well. lt grows very rank. The ranch employs some sixty hands in the busy seasons. and half that number in ordinary times. The wages paid are, for ordinary labor, SEQ per month and rationS, which is considered equal to $50. The "majordomo," or overSecr. receives $95 per month. \ blacksmith and carpenter are employed regularly. Figs, oranges, dates and ash trees have been set out and thrive well. l saw two year old trees filled with figs, and vines of the same age already load ed with fine grapes. There is not the slight est doubt that all such things thrive exceed ingly well. Strawberries and other small fruits and vegetables can be had every month in the year IL will he of interest in Cali fornis to learn the fact the sheep growers and cattle men of the southern portion of the state are making arrangements for pas turing in this Territory. A large number of sheep will he brought here now the railroad is running to this point. General Banning has arranged with the MeSSrs. Redondo for pasturing 5000 head of sheep, which will be brought by railroad to Yuma.
 The town has been Stagnating good deal during the last six months. This k owing without doubt to the fact that the travel to Arizona has been chiefly on the upper route, via Ehrenberg. The railroad will change all this. The Colorado river k uavigable to several hundred miles, and below 1t is the Gulf of California, at the head of which are the finest rec and hemp lands in the world. | All of these advantages must inurc to the 1 point at which the railroad crosses the Colo ! rado. This will be Yuma, and the town of the lower Colorado valley k sure to be at i this point. R. ]. II.