Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1891-09-19
SALT RIVER,
A Drive Over the Valley, It's
Extent and
VARIETY OF PRODUCTION.
Canal, Fields Of Alfalfa and
Teeming Orchards.
Notes on Its Fine Horses and Cattle
Some Premium Stock with
Good Records.

Since I came to Phenix / have made
use Of every opportunity to learn some
thing concerning the Salt river valley,
that might prove of interest to CITIZEN
| readers. In order to see for myself
what the productions of the valley are
| accepted the kind invitation Of Major
j. W. Evans to ride out on the afternoon
of my arrival. Our course was up the
river few miles to the consolidated
dam OF the Maricopa and Salt River
canals, where new head gates and other
repairs are being made, involving cost
OF over $4,000. The two canals are
governed by one company with j. w.
Evans, president and director. The re-
naming directors are Lincoln Fowler
and W. d. Fulwiler. The combined
length of the canals is So miles, with
capacity of 10000 inches and covering
10000 acres.
North from the dam q distance Of
seven miles brought us to the Arizona
Falls, where the Arizona Improvement
Co. have planted an experimental orch
ard OF 20 acres, principally oranges and
lemons. The trees were planted from
the nursery two years ago and have
made a remarkable growth, and though
SO young, are bending down under the
weight Of growing fruit. II there ever
was need of experimenting as to the
success Of producing citrus fruits, such
test is certainly no longer necessary.
This orchard, if there were no other in
the valley, would prove sufficient, and
the coming winter will be an active sea-
son for citrus, as we'll as deciduous
fruit planting IN the Salt river country.
The above company alone will plant
half section Of the former variety and
tull section Of the latter, and the Major
mentioned mere than a dozen parties
besides, whom he knew to be intending
to plant more largely than ever known
here before, the whole amount aggregat-
ing at least 1000 citrus and 1000 dscid.
uous trees.
From the Ariznona Falls which are
about ten miles northeast of Phenix,
the valley seems to widen out and pre-
sents q magnificent spectacle, adorned
as it is with lines and Cross lines Of cot
tonwoods, Intervening squares of alfalfa,
occasional orchards and farm houses.
and the whole surrounded by mountains
raising above mountains, some Of whose
piramidal peaks pierce the sky 10000 IT.
ADORE the level Of the ocean.
Returning by another and more direct
route We passed numerous fine farms,
which are under the Arizona canal,
embracing $4,000 acres, being forty-two
miles in length and having capacity
of 10000 inches.
Within two or three miles of town
Major Evans noted a beautiful section
(640 acres) Of land, which is to DO plant
ed to figs the coming year by citizens OF
the valley.
On another occasion had the plea
sure of visiting the thrifty peach orch
ard of r. L. Harrington, about three
miles west of town The orchard en-
braces 81 acres OF the Muir variety. Mr..
r. stimates his crop at 100000 pounds,
which is equivalent to $4,000 pounds
dried. A little beyond the orchard is j
Harbert's ostrich farm. Just for the
novelty of it / paid the birds visit.
There were IA at the opposite end OF a
lot, but when they saw NE approach
they came marching toward me IN state
" order, their heads seven or eight feet
above the ground. In snather enclo-
sure were nine young ostriohee. This l
believe is the only experiment. OF the
kind ever made in the territory, and it
is pronounced a complete success. l
was informed the birds are here valued
at about $500 each,
From II. w. Adams, manager or what
is reputed to be the largest ig orchard
in America, if not the world, 1gleaned
few notes of interest concerning that
| branch of business. The orchard con-
sists OF 100 acres Of fig trees exclusively,
situated about II miles northwest OF
PheniI, and is owned by w. II. Bartlett,
of Chicago. SiIty-five acres of the
trees are in full bearing, or over seven
years old. Mr.. Adams thinks it safe TO
estimate 1000 pounds OF fruit on an
| average yearly from each full bearing
tree. He has also fine fig orchard OF
| his own, and has started nursery OF fig
trees and grape wives. Those.desirlng
anything in his line will find it TO their
advantage to address him by mail or call
upon him. His prices are low and he
guarantees all stock true TO name.
No visitor to Phenix, who has any ap-
probation of fine stock should fail to see
Oscar L. Gibbs band Of thoroughbred
Hereford cattle. HIS stock farm is
about a mile from the railroad depot,
/ and consists Of 50 acres, nearly all ii
alfalfa, on which he maintained during
the past year 140 head Of cattle, log OF
which ere thoroughbred. 1t is claimed
that the Hereford is the best range stock
ever introduced in the west, being good
feeders, good "rustlers" and easily kept.
He has few males fit for breeding at
present, and about 20 head OF calves
suitable for next year. The estimated
weight of some Of his bulls from u
months to Is months old range from
1000 to 1000 pounds.
Hon. G. II. Gray claims to own the
premium horse flesh Of the valley, and
is ready to contest his claim OF supe-
riority against any in the territory.
That they are large and fine there is no
mistake, having paid his home visit
| aopaniaIlu 70 obcarva FOR mvsalf LADY