Arizona weekly enterprise., 1888-07-21
WILL FARMING PAY9
The Result of Intelligent Cultivation in Southern Arizona.
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[Phenix Gazette.
 The question, does farming pay, is often asken by men who have never been engaged in the business, and who have been led to believe that the man who tills the soil is slave to the ex- actions of an unjust public. It may be true, and in fact is questionable in many localities, but the men who cul- tivate the prolific acres of the Salt River valley are strangers to such treatment.
 A Gazette reporter in his travels visited the farm of w. J. Murphy, which comprises GAO acres and is sit uated immediately under the Arizona canal, in township 3-2, section 34. The past year Is the first crop ever taken from the land, and its average yield their season was 1900 pounds of barley to the acre, which when taken into consideration, that 1t was the first time in the history of man that 1t had been titled, seems almost incred- ible.
 In looking over this grand body If land, with its surface as level as nature could mould, and in its yield as boun- tiful and prolific as the famed valley of the Nile, one can scarcely con template the future awaiting this kingly domain. MT. Murphy harvest ed his immense crop with the new Pat terson Harvest King, a combined header and thresher, which cost $2,- 300, but which Is great saving i'll harvesting field, and reduces the cost fully two thirds from the old method. The Harvest King will head and thresh twenty acres daily, at an average cost of $27.5O per day, making $40 acres cost $SS0.O0, the same work performed by the old method would cost $2,72O, leaving balance of $l $40 in favor of the Harvest King in heading and threshing GAO acres of grain, thus the spirit of peaceful revolution goes stead fly on
 In soil almost identical, Mir. Lawer- ence Bennett obtained 2884 pounds of barley per acre, which was also the virgin crop for that section Mr. Ben nett. contrary to the commonsprac ice irrigated his land first then sowed his seed and then completed his labors by blowing in his grain, and stranger to record only irrigated his crop twice during its growth, and then realized the enormous yield of 2,S94 pounds to the acre.
 Does this look as though farming would pay in this valley? Let us look at the proposition, GAO acres produc ing such results as did the farm of Mir. Bennett, would produce 1,S45,7 pounds, at fair market value would sell fer $20, ,300.8C; the cost of seed, $400; blowing, $1 ,zo0; heading, $1 ,2SO; {; threshing, $1 ,440; cost of water, 500 ]; labor for irrigating, S240; sacks and twine, $1 ,6S0.40, making a total ex- penditure of $7,120.40 leaving a net profit to the farmer of $13 ,1S0.40 for his years labor and interest on his original investment. Does it not pa%- to cultivate the soil in this vale of thrift?
 Now, on the other hand, let us take the yield on MT. Murphy's ranch of 1900 pounds per acre; GAO acres at the above figures, would yield 1,152,00O pounds at the regular market value of $1.10 per hundred would give $12,- 672, deducting expenses as estimated above of ST ,120, 40, would leave a net profit of $5 ,55l 50; does TO ply it to raise grain in the Salt River valley?
 The a)ove figures are substantially correct, and prove conclusively that 'a-ming not only pays, but is one of the most profitable enterprises men can embark in this wonderful produc- tive valley. The instances enumerated above are in no sense isolated, and only go to prove the correctness of the sta ments made by men wEo have tin e and again demonstrated these fac s. The past year has been replete wi; h many substantial and permanent inn provements, but what was done in the past season will be done in the next. Our people have determined to secure the patronage of all who appreciate the incomparable advantages which we possess. This is phase of the spirit of enterprise which now domi- mates all of our business interests, and 1t will bear grand fruit. Perhaps our greatest fault in the past has been our modesty.
 That our people realize the necessity of adding to the equipment of the organization providing it with all the means which are necessary to secure full measure of success is evidenced by the fact that they have recently re- organized the union and propose to go forward with the work with renewed vigor and hopes of success. Our best wishes are with the energetic men who are giving their time and money fol the furtherance of this noble work.