Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-09-21
Letter from Arizona.
PsEscorr, YAvAPM Co, A. T.,
Ancnst Y5ih. leIS |

August 18th. 1878. !
EDIroRs VIRGINIA FgEE Pass
As am con-
stantly receiving letters from friends and neish-
bors Of Cid Yirgiria, asking thousand ana
one questions, in regard to Arizona, her cii-
mate. stock raising, wages on iarmi anu
prices in general, &C., and knowing the most
o them take your excellent and truly valuable
paper, thought it the best plan TO address
Them through the i" GlH Fdbly Journal, as
II might be interesting 10 others as well as my
fJrner neighbors.
The climate of Arizona is hot through tue
Summer months-the, temperature sometimes
rising to an e&trehle heat, it is, however, the
fact, that owing to the purity aud dryness oi
the atmosphere, the suns rays are not SO op-
pressiye as in the Eastern States. The mer-
cury at one time last mouth, was at lOi' IN
,he shade. The Winters Of Arizona are de-
lightful-the temperature being uniiorntly
pleasant. and varying but little throughout the
season. The mercury here. ranges at from 80
to 400 above zero in the winter; mlld days
and cold nights are the rule. Reierrlpg, 10
general TO the Territory Of Arizona: 1t VIII
be found to agreeabIy disappolnt the visitor
who has formed the idea OF a sterile, barren re-
zion, devoid OF value except for itS minerals.
He finds it, for Ma; = reasons, very attractive
place.-not only for It's business inducements,
but AS desirable residence The various
mountain ranges occupy, it is true, consid-
cradle portion of the Territory, but between
these are wide and fertile valleys, such as the
Gia. the Colorado, aud their chlei tributaries,
which will yield abGudaut return 10 the thrii-
" farmer. Stock raising: There is little dou
but that in time large Quantity Of beel aud
wool will iiud It's way out Of this Territory
In most places there is pretty good grass, aud
cattle thrive on it rapidly. There is not as
yet great quantity Of stock Ia Ariz ma, SO
that those who have beef To sell generally re-
ceve a good price for IT. The mild winters and
the summer rains are two Of the leading adj
vantages for stock raising here,
Wages on a farm, are from $50 to $40 per
month and your board. Miners get from 50
to S3J per day and their board. Flour, from
81 10 So per cwt. ,rn meal, SS to 50 per
cwt. 1; Bacon from % to 80 cents per pound ;
Butter 81 per pound; Eggs 81 per dozen ;
Chickens from 50 to Sl2 per dozen Green
Peaches 80 cents per pound Grapes and Ap-
pies the same price,-Whest cents per 10.
Barley from to 3 cents per 10. Corn cents
per TO- Wild Hay from $40 to S45 per ton !
aud everything else in proportion. have
been in eight or ten Of the States and Terrific
ries, aud think that Arizona is the best place
for poor man to make start: that Is, II he
intends TO do it by working, Fare, ironi
Charlestown, W. Ma, to Prescott, Arizpna.
would be about $3.50 and fw!!l take about a
month to make the trip. Those of you, who
are working at from Sc 10 so per month,
could DO well by coming here, but | would not
advise any one who has good little home
there To sell oLt and como here-lpr 1t takes a
long, tong while to build up good home in
new country. - o.. pa.
Ifyou Will remodel tl.is, aud give ita place
in your valuable paper, you will greatly obligc
an Old VirginiaD. JoHN I. SKULL.