The Arizona sentinel., 1888-12-22
Tho Mohawk Canal.

some three years, I have again taken spin through Mohawk valley and inspected the irrigating canal, now approaching compile tion. I had heard much of che improve ments to be seen, of the excellence of the head gate, of the great, the wonderful fer tility of the soil, 80 that nay expectations were somewhat extravagant, and yet was not prepared for all that I saw. My faith in the future of the valley has always been great; it is now greater than ever before. Leaving the train at Texas Hill, took pas sage for the valley over Norton's stage line. The coach is luxurious, three-seated cov- cred carriage, that would do credit to any line in the States, and is silent but unim- peachable witness of the stream of travel over the route. Such conveyance could not be afforded if the patronage were not large and constant. We went via. the head gate which I carefully examined. The massive | framework is cemented into the solid rock, and the gates are so arranged that in what ever stage of water as much as desired can be admitted to the canal, or as little. This is particularly advantageous in case of a flood, as the water then carries much sedi- ment, and if admitted would soon clog the canal, but by closing the gates this is avoid' ed, as well as all danger of damage to the canal and lands below, from flooding or cut ting by the swift current. The breast run ming from hill to hill through which the head of the canal is cut is above high water mark, and being of rock, cannot be cut through by the river. No better protection against the sudden floods of the Gila can be desired. There is no other heading in Yu- ma county so secure, and very few on the Coast. Some six or seven miles from the head gate large waste-gate opening into slough, by opening which and the head gate at the same time, 8 current of water can be sent through that part of the canal that will, in few hours, wash out any sed- iment that may have been deposited during months; and as it has been demonstrated that under similar circumstances substan- tially all the sediment that will be deposit ed at all, will be dropped in the first three or four miles, we see that the problem of keeping the canal clear has been solved in an easy and economical manner: first by shutting out the water when it carries much sediment, which will seldom have to be done, and for but day or two at a time; and second, by sluicing out at leisure what little may accumulate. The same engineer ing device of waste gates is relied on to get rid of any surplus water that may come down from cloud bursts II, the mountains to the north. These floods have definite chan and by putting a waste-gate on the lower side some two CT three feet lower than the bank of the canal, the water will pour over it instead of filling the canal and washing out the lower bank. Indeed, the efficient engineer in charge of the work his solved every problem presented in a creditable, common sense manner.
 Some nine miles from the head the canal divides into two branches, one closely fol- lowing the mesa and the other following a slight elevation down the center of the val icy, making the irrigation of the entire tract very easy. The mesa branch is now completed within six miles of the terminus, and the south branch nearly as far The contractors promise to have the entire work completed by March lst, 1889, and there is no doubt but it will be done on time The work is being done simultaneously on both branches, they being so near to each other that one camp accommodates both gangs of workmen. It is a wholesome sight to see the two "New Era" graders at work; they pass over the ground, cleared of trees and stumps, and leave the finished canal behind; in some places where the soil is too light for them to do good work, the buck scrapers are at home and do the work almost as rap- idly.
 The soil of the valley is an alluvial loam from twelve to twenty feet in depth, and of inexhaustible fertility. The most astonish- ing stories are told by the rauchers of the yield of wheat, barley, sorghum, hay and all kinds of vegetables this past season, since the water was brought on to their lands, and they have the crops to show the truth of their claims. Probably the most improved ranch ill the valley is MT. Norton's who in a few months has achieved results only to be compared with the Genius of the Lamp. Others have done equally as we'll on a small Ter scale
 Now, Mir. Editor, submit that in view of the present prospects, both as to the early completion, of the canal, with all it's ap. pointments first-class in every respect, and as to the fruitfulness of the soil when prop erly entreated, we old Mohawkers who have had faith ill the scheme and have stuck to it through good report and evil report, who have persevered tholgh countless obstacles and discouragements. that we, say, have right to feel iubilant, and that we have just ly earned the reward that now seems at hand. J. H. TAGGART.
 Died.
 At his residence near Yuma, December l7th, 1888, F. M: Hodges, aged B years.