Arizona weekly enterprise., 1888-06-30
Reclaiming Arizona.

The energetic and enterprising peo- pie of Arizona seem determined to wipe out the last vestige of the myth of the Great American Desert" by showing by actual experiment. that their Territory is capable of being made to blossom like the rose. Every little while we hear of irrigation and reclamation projects in different parts of the Territory, the most of which are attended with complete success, and furnish perfect demonstration of the adabtability of Arizona to agriculture and horticulture.
 A recent number of the Phoenix Herald contained an interesting ac- count of the work of retaining Salt River valley, which shows what de termination, coupled with a belief in the resources of the country, will do. It was there stated that an avenue, eighteen miles long and 100 feet wide, bordered with ditches and rows of trees, has been constructed from the city of Phoenix in nOrtllwesterly di- rection, and that for distance of thir- teen miles on each side of that mag nificent thoroughfare the sagebrush has been cleared up and the land re- duced to cultivation. The Herald says that this valley is admirably adapted to the raising of grain, hay, fruit and grapes, and that it's worth is beginning to be appreciated and settlers are com ing into the valley in considerable numbers.
 Nor is this the only valley of this kind in Arizona. There are many spots of the same kind which await only human energy intelligently ap- piled to become veritable garden spots. The Chronicle some days ago ac- knowledged the receipt of a cluster of | grapes from Arizona which are fully a month in advance of California grapes, and they were only a sample of what | is to come when the real worth of that Territory is thoroughly understood, It is probable that Arizona will not be one of the great wheat-growing DOT tions of the Union, but we predict for | her a brilliant future in fruit raising, and, in time, in wine-making. Above all, Arizona should be a great raisin- making country. It would seem that she possesses every natural advantage for growing and curing raisins, and the time will surely come when she will be the generous rival of California ir that industry.
 When we reflect that the popular idea of Arizona has been, and perhaps still is, that it is the home of horned toads and Apaches, that it will grow nothing but an infinite number ot different kinds of cactus, and that it is the outer edge of Gods creation, we can learn to appreciate such improve ment as has been going on there ot late years. The people of that Terri tory have been handicapped in almost every way possible, and it is infinitely to their credit that they have battleC so nobly against adverse circumstances and have lived down that hardest O. things to overcome, a bad reputation for their country. It is hard work anC good, honest grit that have brough about the wonderful change, and have compelled the people outside the Ter ritory to recognize its existence and tC do it justice. Natural advantages art much, but spirit of indomitable per severance and infexible determination is great deal more and, judging iron results, these seem to be true Arizon ian characteristics.