The Arizona sentinel., 1886-11-20
FARMING.

It IS however, an uncontrovertible fact that in the valleys of the Gila and the Colorado, in this county, are some of the very richest lands to be found on the continent. The valley of the O. lorado, like that of the Nile, is subject to annual overfows. Under its semi tropic sun vegetation is very rapid, and weeds, grasses and wild plants at tain an amazing height after the waters recede. The Indians, who cultivate a few patches, dig holes wilh a sharp pointed stick in the rich soil, and drop the seed. No attempt is made at cul- tivation, yet so marvellous is the growth that within three months corn and vegetables have fully ripened. There is no better soil in the world for cot ton, rice, sugar. cane, tobacco and hemp. The latter fibre is found growing wild below Yuma and along the gulf, and an effort is now being made to plant a colony in Southern California for its cultivation.
 This fine valley of the Colorado, with soil unsurpassed on the Globe for the growth of every, tropical and semi-tropical product, is as yet unre- claimed. Therei is no finer opportuni- ty for the investment of capital in America, than in the construction of levees and canals in this rich valley.
 In thsslower Gila valley there are many thousands of acres of excellent lands, only a. very small fraction of which is at spresent cultivated. The Mohawk valley, about sixty miles east of Yuma, IS one of the richest bodies of land in tho Territory. It is a DOT tion of the main Gila valley and has an area of seventy square miles. The land is level with a gentle slope to- ward the! river. At its ..narrowest point the valley is two miles wide, and at its..widest five, and extends along the stream for nearly twenty miles. A company known as the Mohawk Valley Canal Co.,, has been formed for the purpose of constructing a ditch, which will bring water, from the river and reclaim this magnificent vale. Work is being pushed with all possi ble speed, and the company expect to be able to supply water for the next seasons crop, When completed, this canal will reclaim not less than 40, ,GG0 acres, equal to any now selling at River --iy4v, c~s::s....;e, fop S1nn- A..4 Saon nAr acre. This land, and the water for irrigation, will be offered to the settler on the most liberal terms.
 The soil, as has been said, will pro- duce anythingsand everything. Corn, wheat, barley, alfalfa, and all kinds of vegetables, givesa prOlifc-yield. The grape, the peach, the plum, the pear, the quince, the apricot, ssthe orange, the lemon, the lime, the olive, the date the fig, the banana, the walnut, and all the grasses grown in any part of the United States, ban be raised here. This is already demonstrated by look ing at what has been done in the town of Yuma. In the gardens there can be seen the orange, the fig, the banana, the lime, the olive, and all the varie- ties mentioned above, yielding bounti- fully under its semi-tropical sun.
 The cotton, the sugar cane, and the tectile plants which grow on the G. lorado bottoms, are also at home in valley. There is also the important advantage of fruits ripening here at least six weeks before they do in Southern California.
 With such natural gifts, and such opportunities, the tide of immigration will shortly sweep into those fertile wales, and transform the seeming de serts into fertile fields and blooming gardens. The simple facts only require to be known, and the valley of the Gila will sooa be filled by thrifty set tiers. This valley of the Mohawk has the additional advantage of nearnsss to the line of the Southern Pacific.
 There are a number of other loca tions along the lower Giis, where canals can be taken out and large bodies of rich land reclaimed. One i; the fertile bottom between the Gils and Colorado, containing over 20,O0C acres. Over 1000 acres of this have been reclaimed, and from it have beer taken the largest crops of cereals evel