Arizona weekly citizen., 1892-03-26
A VERITABLE BASIS.
FRUITFULNEsS OF THE GREAT
 DESERT.
A Model Farm in Arizona That Will
 Supply the Eastern Market.

There is evidence of very substantial
 progress in store for Yuma ard Yuma
 county. The destiny of this section is
 bound up in her latent but immensely
 fertile soil. The capital and enterprise
 necessary to develop the country
 through irrigation has already com
 menced to make their impression here,
 but what has been done may be re-
 garded as only the entering wedge for
 the happy realization of a number of | the most extensive canal schemes in the
 great southwest. The vast extent of
 arabic land with a never-failiug supply
 of water situted in climate unexcelled for the production of an extensive va-
 riety of products which command the
 top of the market is the prime attrac- tion of the investment of the millions of dollars required to consummate the schemes.
 The writer is we'll aware that much
 has been said for many months past concerning the early prosecution of some of these enterprises, while little or no showing has been made, resulting somewhat in a loss of confidence in their outcome. Now, however, there is enough being successfully accomplished to abundantly prove what our greatest enthusiasts have claimed for the coun- try. A visit to the Yuma Fruit com pany's ranch, three miles south of town, proves an eye-opener to many old timers of the territory, as we'll as the numer- ous strangers who make Yuma tenn porary abode in quest of health or for the investment in lands. On my visit this week, in addition to personal obser- votion, I learned from MT. Freeman, a member of the company, few facts that should prove of interest to some CITIZEN readers abroad, whose eyes may be turned Arizona-ward.
 Less than SIX months ago the Yuma Pumping Irrigation company, of which Capt. F. s. Ingalls, is president, J. H. Carpenter. secretary, and Judge E. M. Sanford general manager, commenced to furnish water, for the tract of land under consideration. In the mean time the Yuma Fruit O., consisting of a portion of the members of said ir- rIgatiOn company, was formed for the purpose of clearing, fencing, cultivatlng, planting and harvesting the crops on a large scale. The president of this con- pany is E. A. WetmOre; vice president, F. E. Coe, general manager, E. M. San ford; superintendent, J. H. Carpenter; chief engineer, J. J. Fisher, and foreman NJ. Stiles. To those persons choosing to take lands from the Algodones Land company, the Yuma Fruit company ot- fer to take charge of the work of clearing. cultivating and fencing each holding at cost, less ten per cent. to cover loss of wear and break age of implements used.
 The Yuma Fruit O., have at present over 600 acres cleared and fenced, of which fully AGO acres are under crop. Realizing the superior advantages of the locality for the production of early fruit the company's chief aim is in that direction, and accordingly have already planted over five thousand trees, divid- ed about equally between deciduous and citrus varieties.
 Fifty-six acres are devoted exclusive ly to garden vegetables, chiefly peas, cabbage, caulifiower, potatoes, etc. This truck will be shipped to the Den yer market. The peas are in the pod and will be ready for gathering early in April. and other truck soon thereafter, About 150 900 grape cuttings are in the nursery, and have commenced to root; besides the company has planted largely of rooted vines.
 Without attempting nearly so full a description of this enterprise as was furnished by the Sentinel and Times last week have briefly to say that what may be seen on thIs plantation must prove a complete vlndication of claims which heretofore may have been regard ed extravagant relating to the wondrous of Yuma's soil, and climate with sufficient water added to produce crops.
 Prominent officials of the $. P. R. R. visited this ranch on the same day l was there and expressed much surprise, as we'll as pleasure, in beholding the marked contrast between the fruitful spot and it's dismal surroundings-a yer ltable oasis-truly suggestive of the of hundreds of square miles of these arid lands through the same means, and ultimately furnishing happy and prosperous homss for hun dred thousand families. F. B. l..
 Yuma, March 18th, 1892.