The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1889-11-16
Good News from the ella Valley.

Perhaps you have heard at some time
in "the long ago." of, or maybee seen
the three cabalistic letters S. G. c..
floating about among Arizona's ideals
of wealth, and greatness, as part Of
that territory's claim to rank among
the first Of great stars territorial; but
if you have not, or, if you have, and
yet fail to divine their full import, let
me act as "seer," and reveal the
mystery-know thou then, that S. G..
G. means that there is in Arizona a
flowing stream of waite II called the
South ella Canal, and it takes two
counties to contain so vast body of
water. At last the S. G.. @. is fact.
Patience pluck, and an indomitable
Will has conquered at last, and the
waters Of the CHA river turn from
their former waste, and enter upon
their new and grand purpose of making
the ''deSert to bloom" The S. G..
Canal is destined to add largely to the
wealth of Yuma county in the coming
years. It is needless to recount its
many adverSes in the past; let them
slumber until forgotten in the pros
perity of those who cultivate the rich
soil, under its bounteous flow, and
With the aid Of its waters shall reap
great wealth.
The question of head gates in other
than "bed rock' and "rocky canyons"
finds solution in the head gates of
the South ella Canal. Probably no
better head gates can be found, nor
any more substantial work be made
concerning endurance: than is present
ed in the head gates of the S. G.. G.
The river at its lowest, stage, (said to
be this summer) in many years; is
eighteen inches above the grade of the
canal at the gates; and thus insures a
perpetual, as well as full supply of
water at all times This alone is in
surance to the farmer, against the
possibility of lack of water, from the
S. G. c., when called for. No crop
put in along the line need to suffer at
any time for water, and this fact alone
will enhance the values of lands under
this canal. Again, by a system of
drops in the canal, the water can be
taken out at as high a point as may
be needed, to irrigate the highest lands
on any section; and hence a great
saving of dwelling, and costly laterals.
Settlers in the valley are getting their
agricultural implements in trim, to
prepare test of what the rich bottom
lands under the S. G.. G. can do for
them. No doubt the experience that
will come to some of the new settlers;
who are to try irrigation for the first
time, will be a costly one. To plough
and to plant, and look for rain to
moisten the imbedded seed, and to
satisfy the demands of willing soil,
is one thing. To plough and to plant,
and turn on the water when you want
it, is quite another matter. One may
understand the first in his eastern
home, and be successful in farming
and fruit growing; he may think he
can apply his experience in eastern
farming to farming by irrigation, but
will find quite perceptlble difference
in the "modus operandi' as to salts
factory results. HOW to cultivate
successfully by irrigation; is an art to
be acquired by tuition, and close at
tention from seed time to harvest. He
is wise farmer who at first secures a
practical and an experienced hand at
irrigation. The soil is here, and as
and sa fertile as the Nile The eli
nate is all that man could ask of the
365 days of the year, and in full har-
nony with the soil. The water now
;orms the triple alliance, and the only
ack is seed; and how to manipulate it.
The seed comes when called for, and
f rightly manipulated by water after
is commitment to the soil, will richly
epay the husbandman. How and
When to irrigate is a whole book, !