Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-02-01
THE FLORENCE CANAL.
COMPLETION OF THIS GREAT AND
 COSTLY WORK.
Fifty-twO Miles of Main Canal Exclusive of Several Laterals---Water in Abundance Tor Every Land
 Owner Along it's
 Course.

The completion of the Florence ca nal to the furthermost limit cOntem- templated at the present time, is matter of great importance to the peo- pie of this valley and particularly to those who have taken up government land under it.
 From the headgate near the Buttes to the end of the several branches along the Southern Pacific railway, the total length is fifty-two miles, be- sides which there are many miles of small laterals reaching out to lands several miles distant from the main canal, and the water now flows through its entire length.
 From the headgate to the storage reservoir now under construction be- tween Florence and the railroad the canal has a uniform width of twenty five feet on the bottom and has a ca pacity equal to q flow of 40 cubic feet per second, and is so constructed that it can be easily enlarged and it's capac- ity increased.
 Near the point where it crosses the railroad, six miles east of Casa Grande, a branch has been constructed parallel with the track toward Casa Grande distance of nearly three miles, with a width of twelve feet on the bottom, gradually decreasing to ten feet. From this branch an eight-foot lateral IS built north for three miles Go carry off the waste water and to supply lands in that vicinity. The branch crossing I,s ..,. .lf Gf two miles, where it's waters are divid- ed, Q portion flowing nearly two miles in a northwesterly direction towards Casa Grande and the remainder con tinuing in q westerly course nearly five miles. Near the point of separ- ation the water has ?. thirteen-fOot drop or fall.
 All the land taken up along the rail road from the point of the canal cross ing to Casa Grandc can now receive plenty of water for irrigation and it's owners can begin their improvements at once. In fact all the entries made under the canal can now be supplied with water and be made to produce crops the present year.
 Here and there parties are at work clearing or planting their lands and laying the foundation for a future competence, and the whole face of the country is rapidly undergoing a change from Q barren desert to a blooming garden. As the water sup ply is now ample for every one owning land, the activity in this respect will now doubtless be greater during the | spring and summer months. | The Florence canal company have accomplished q great work and an ex- pensive one, and in establishing for itself very profitable business it is accomplishing great deal of good for the whole valley. Over one hundred thousand acres of land will soon be brought under cultivation through its influence, every acre of which is equal to the richest and most fertile por- lions of the western country. It will produce anything adapted to the tenn perate zone and many of the semi tropical productions. It is particular ly adapted to the growth of raisin grapes, figs, oranges, lemons, Hines, dates, prunes, apricots, peaches, plums almonds and all kinds of nuts as well as the farm productions usual to the northern and eastern states. These all mature several weeks in advance of southern California and can com mand the earliest and best markets both east and west.
 The completion of this great canal Is matter of congratulation to the people of this valley and insures the perpetual prosperity of every one so fortunate at to own property along it's course.