The Arizona sentinel., 1882-02-11
A NEW INDUSTRY.
YUMA, Feb. 8th, 1882.

EDITOR SBNTINEL:-Having noticed the praisworthy efforts of the press o
 this Territory in general, and Yuma
 county in particular, towards encourag
 ing agricultural, manufacturing and
 other enterprises, I thought the follow ing suggestion might be of service. Do not believe for moment that this con- municali"n emanates from the fish com mission, for the reason, that my "hobby
 is more of a ,eptile than fish, in other words l propose, that some enterpriSing citizen of Yuma County should go int ranch. The alligator is fruitful source of revenue, easily reared aud very prol- fife. The Gila bottom, say a few miles above Rodordo's ranch would he good place to commence operations upon. Take piece of ground about one half mile ng and one quarter wide, let there be about twenty feet of the width in the river, build d strong pole fence, and yon are ready for business. Plant say fit, eggs, near the water, in the sand. In seven weeks the sun will have matched them, and the alligator will begin pro- specting. The fence will tend to keep them at home after they are grown. Ali gato will eat most anything, from q pIppy 10 pickaninny. The pony fi-b that thrive in the Gila will tickle his pal ate. and the rancher could easily procure all the dog he wanted in Yuma, at no cost except labor. The great sauran is partly amphibious in his habits, and loves to float like a log in the still water, bask ing in the generous sunlight. Firing of | this, he delights in strol'ing on the banks If stream, in search of health and stray pigs, which, in fact, is another req son for fence. The alligator IS perfectly | harmless, and will never trouble people of the Caucasian race. But it is as well mol 10 go too near full grown bird, as be is of a nervous temperament, and that huge, bony Tail fips around pretty lively. After years patient waiting, the encr- getic farmer reaps rich harvest. He must have gate fixed to his farm yard, and let the gate open into a long and narrow pen. Then give notice in the pa pers that his pets are ready for public al iention. The agile sports will congregatc at his rlace of business; he can charge live dollars shot, and offer prize for each reptile killed. About oLe man in i've hundred can kill an alligator, and before one is shot be has realized a con- fJrtahle sake. Every bird" klied is Of value; rhu hide IS worth from ten tc twelve dollars; then there is the musk, Tor perfule; oil (equal to bears oiD; the claws for jcwelry, and the carcass, feed foI pigs.
 The expense of starting place of this kind is nominal. The eggs are litte larger than turkey eggs, and cost about two dollars per dozen. The agricultural editor of the N.w Orleans Times-Demo- crat can give the necessary address for lhe purcha se of the same I have entered into all these details so that any one rc. ally desiring to go into business can See d good opening. If WIS young man, it would be my first start in life; but the SHOWS of many winters have whitened ny head, and do not feel equal to the task. If my humble suggestions sLould bc of interest, an1 eventually O profit to some. 1 will rest content. The acme of my am bitiOn is to see the valley of the Colorado wI'ite with the ripened cotton, and Tagged by the beauteous sugar cane, whilst i'll the distance a sea of green and waving wheat will enchant the eye And tn see upon the banks of the Gila the majestic and graceful ostrich, anC the mysterious 'Open-iaccd" alligalor:-this with tho picturesque farm houses, on the mesas, would make picture that people would travel hundreds of miles To see.
 If this paper is of any service to our Fish Commissioners. they are welcome to rlnbody it in their report on Arizona Fisheries ALLIGAToK-GAR.
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