Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-05-26
THE rpprGArrHG nr1cH

q leading citizens we visited anl examined the point seclected for commencing the construction of water ditch, to lead the water out for irrigating the land on the east side of the Santa Cruz. The point examIned is about a mile below town, where the first settlers of Tucson constructed ditch many years ago, and took the water out to the rich valley of land lying between the Santa Cruz, and Rillito Creek. The old ditch was found, and was easily followed for a distance of from two to three miles out in the valley, where the first Mexican settle ment was made. The old ruins of adobe houses, are still there to mark the spot, where the pioneers of Tucson irst drove their stakes, and cultivated the ground. At that time, the land im- mediately west of Tucson, south to Warmers mill. and north to Saint Mary's Hospital was a cienega, or marsh, covered with water and Oyergrown with jules or cat-tail. The Apache Indians cultivated small tract of land near Colonel Whites residence to the west, but by some means the Mexicans obtained the land, and at once began to cultivate 1t. This WAS eX- tended from year to year, until the entire marsh was reclaimed. The settlements extended to the north along tbe valley of the Santa Cruz to point some two miles north of Nine Mile Water Holes, embracing a much larger lrea Of land than is now cultivated. Owing to subsequent Apache wars and .ther causes, this large tract of cultivat- sl land was subsequently abandoned. The new Tucson. having ID the mean -ime been settled. and the old Mission .uurch built, rauchmen gradually cOl- s.tel aud concentrated their full
 reugth around 1t, for mutual protec- fnu.
 From the point elected for taking out he new irrigating ditch, northeast to Rilhto eea and northwest fra dist- ance of eight or ten mics, there Is one of the richest valleys of land to be found ID Pima county. The land is much better than We had supposed It to le; it has been covered with large mes quite trees, and a thick undergrovth, to very best evidence of productive md in thIs section of country.
 County Surveyor Roskruge will, some time during the present week, run levels from the l7nd proposed to irrigate to the place where the water will be taken out, and ascertain the fall and make au -stlmate of the amount of land which nay be irrigated. He will also run a line of levels from the point above named, up the valley to Osborn's ranch, and ascertain the fall and make esti- mates of the cost of constructing the ditch.
 So far as We can see, there Is but one question to settle, and that is the amount of water that can be raised and utilized in i-rigating the land. There is plenty or land; 1t Is near at hand it IS rich; without water 1t IS almost vslue- less but with water 1t will produce the pest of crops and be made valuable. Those who have gwen the subject most attention are satisfied that an abund- snce of water can be obtained. Samuel Hughes thoroughly tested the strength Of the water supply of the same locality rom which 1t Is now proposed to secure It several years ago, and he IS confident hat an abundance of water may be had, nd that it will ln nowise interfere with or diminish the water sup ply of existing irrigating ditches. We are glad to see the ditch question as- suming tangible shape. Responsible parties are interesting themselves in the subject, and we belive they will take 1Old Of It and fully 7demoustrate tho -rasIuIIIts of TuInIsnIng water with which to reclaim several thousand acres
 f our waste lands, and thus add very materially to the taxable property of the county. But the development is not 70 stop with one ditch if the first one proves a success; another will be taken ont on the west side of the valley, to ir- -igats the large tract of land north of Saint Mary's Mission, and another at the over end of the PIpago Indian reserva-
 on t', Irriga'e the land lying between
 Ia reservation and Tuc-on. The system an excellent one, and We trust that 1t -iil he thoroughly tested and made a
 mp,ete success.