Salt River herald., 1878-08-31

X late number of the San Francis co Bulletin contains the following correspondence:
 PHENIX. August ,. 1878.
 There is not al great deal to be seen on the road from Gillctt to PheniX. as We leave the mines and branch ont into New River and Salt River Val , levs. The mountain ranges become bleak and hare. while on the valleys the cactus. mesquit and jackass rlb- bits prcdominate. Feed. as a rule. is scarce. but the soil k good. and dur ing q wet season grass is plenty. There are but few habitatiOnS. only those of stations. on this road, until the irrigating canals are reached, then the whole country changes from a desert tO gardens. farms and orchards.
 SALT RIVER VALLEY.
 This valley is one of the largest and most productive in the Territory. IL is devoted almost exclusively to az riculture and stock raising. Wheat. barley and corn are the principal crops raised, and are usualty good. The average yield of wheat and bar ley k from thirty 10 sixty bushels to the acre. and sell on the ground at from three to four cents. Alter wheat and barley have been harvested, corn k planted on the same soil. with am pie time for it tO mature. 4 great portion of the land in this valley k cultivated in this manner, with good results. Potatoes and all other veg etahleS grOw well here. The farmers, who have been here for several years. have large orchards and gardens. the product of which finds a good mar ket at handsome prices. Wheat and barley for nearly the whole Territory is raised here, and teams are leaving every day for some point loaded with them. There are thousands of acres not yet occupied, owing to not getting water, but the Canal company are eX- tending their works every year. thus bringing into market large tracts of farming land, capable of producing all kinds of fruit. nuts and cereals The first ditch to take water from Salt River was in 1861. the nov ing spirit being J. W. Swilling, with a capital stock of only S4OO. At pres ent there are six large ditches. one half mile apart. and carving an av- craze of 5000 inches of water. Each farm has ditch on each side of this tract, with smaller ones intervening. so that you can flood it all. The land is of clayish nature. and holds the moisture well. Nearly all the ranches how, planted on the banks adding we'll to the property. There are some fine or chardS and vineyards in good bearing conditions, the fruit of which sells at q remunerative price, The yield last year was good, but it is expected will be very large this season, as more cae has been taken.
 THE LARGEST LAND OWNER Is COLONEL
 WOOLSEY,
 Who leases tO men at cheap rates.
 The Salt River Cmpties into the Gila at the Prince Valley. some 200 miles from Yuma and about 15 miles soufII- west of this place. It rises in the White mountains in the eastern DOT tion of the Territory. and runs almost west. It varies in width according to the season. and at this time aver ages about 1J0 yards. Near here the water has q brackish taste. but not enough to spoil it for irrigation. About 90 miles from here the water is pure, but at that poInt stream of salt water pours into it. thus render ing it unfit for drinking. TIhe correspondent iS mistaken; no such stream enters Salt River. EDITOR HERALD. Along this stream one can see the remains of ditches dug ares and ages ago. probably by race of people different from those of the Maricopa Indians, who now roam over it. Salt River never runs dry. but if these ditches are enlarged and more added it will surely tax its ca pacity. It has made this desert bios som as the rose, and in few years il will compare favorably with Santa Clara of the Golden State.
 THE TOWN OF PHENX
 Covers an area of a mile in length and one half in width. The buildings are principally adobe, lumber being scarce and high. There are several stores and saloons and a large number of residences. The town is laid out like Prescott, with a large plaza fin tine center. On each side of every street a stream of water runs constant ly. brought from the main river bv ditches. Along these ditchcs are planted the cottonwood and other or namental trees.
 The population numbers about 1 900 the majority of whom are MeXicans. ' Very little lawlessness is permitted. as the officers of the county are bold and fearless men. The greatest drawback Is the excessive heat of June. July and August, the murcury seldom fall ing below 100 degrees. The nights are warm and sultrv. At early twi- light one will see women and child ren making their beds under trees. for during these months no one attempts to sleep in the house. The SALT RIv- FIR HERALD is published in this town and has a good circulation. The peo- ! pie are a reading community for learn that sixty copies of the iFecLlg ! BNiietiH are delivered here. beside a i great number of Eastern papers.