Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-04-04

EnunAAt hEln.
1. Where is the Salt River valley?
In the central part of Maricopa county,
Ia southern Arizona, comprising the
land lying on either side Of Salt river,
between the mouth OF the Verde rlver
"a tributary and the confluence OF the
Salt river with the ella river.
2. How large ia the Salt River val
ley2 The valley proper is some fifty
miles in length and averages fifteen
miles in width, containing 750 square
miles, aggregating 490, 00O acres of irri-
gable land, surrounded on all sides by
the foothills OF adjacent mountain
ranges.
g. How does this section compare
with other parts of the territory? The
territory oil Arizona is OF a generally
mountainous character very rich in
mines, timber, and live stock, while the
Salt River valley is devoted to agricul-
ture, horticulture and live stock ex-
elusively.
A. What is the climateP The terri
tory being some $50 miles in length,
north and south, and the altitude of
the northern portion being from 5000
River valley is but 1850 feet the ter
TitOry presents q great variety OF Cli-
mate. The climate OF the Salt River
valley 10 semitropical, with little frost,
no snow, and moderate rain In the
winter.
s. How low does the thermometer go
In winter2 Very rarely below freezing
point, 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
o. What is the summer temperature?
In July, August and September from rs
10 l02 degrees, sometimes going to ITO
degrees. The nights are always pleas
ant.
7. What is the average temperature
by season? U. S. signal reports, cover
ing ten years, from 1877 to 1887, show:
Average spring temperature. 70.5
Average summer temperature. 1913
Average autumn temperature. 73.l
highest temperature. .....,..ll5
Lowest temperature. ......... p B
Average annual temperature. 1872
8. How does the heat affect one? A
temperature of 90 degrees in the east
ern states is far more prOstrating and
dangerous than the highest tempera-
Eure experienced in the Salt River val
by.
Q. What is the cause of the differ
ence2 The absence OF humidity in the
atmosphere.
10 What is the average rain fallp
Six and thirty-seven one-hundredth
inches, confined principally to the win
ter months,
IL. Does it rain continually during
the winter? Only a day or two at a
time, with intervals Of weeks Of cloud
less weather.
~. Are the storms violent? Thun-
der and lightning are very rare. Cy-
clones and wind-stOrms are unknown.
10. Are earthquakes ever expert
enced? Slight shocks have been known,
but not as frequently az in the Missis-
sippi valley.
IA. How are lung and throat diseases
affected by the climate? Most favor
ably; this valley Is q natural sanitarlum.
The worst cases, both from the east and
west, come here with the most beneficial
results, many OF them being perman-
emily cured. The climatic desideratum
To- pulmonary seases is n mild and dry
climate. Southern California has a
mild climate, but it lie not dry. Colo.
PndO has a dry climate, bat il Is not
mild. The Salt River valley has a eli
mate ut ouce mild and dry. Eminent
specialists now recommend the Salt
Rlver valley in pulmonary diseases.
ID. Do malarisl or epidemic diseases
preyail2 Less than in any other part OF
the United States. The dryDess OF the
atmosphere il unfavOrable To the trans
mission OF disease germs.
10. Are there any poisonous reptiles?
Yes, in the adjacent mountains, hut ir-
rigaiion drives them away from the
cultivated lands.
II. To what productions il the val
ley adapted? To all those Of all the
eastern and NORTHERN states, besides
many OF those of tropical countries.
Orange Judd, editor Of the Prairie
Farmer, after visit to the Salt River
valley, says of its soil, editorially:
"Most Of these valley soils are the ac-
sumulated washings from the surround
ing hills, made up Of the tine particles
that have been, during countless CEN
turtles, disintegrated by frost, or the
chemical action OF the atmosphere.
The, water he (the farmrr) usea is also
charged with new fertility, thus pro-
dlced annually and gathered from the
EElNN Ol itiF Ih'hHlhlHS tNOTfH hll'i nun
dreds OF miles away, so that every flow
ing OF the land benefits IT This
l. ~ theoric idea. We have Reen thou
sands of acres here growing crops that
rival IN luxriance those found in the
famed valley Of the Nile, which derives
it, yiyiiyiEg liquid, bearing iertilzing
clements, from the far off landa in upper
EyyDt and beyond. This valley
OF the Salt derives its luxuriousness
from the mountain regions Of interior
ard Arizona"
The special committee OF the United
States senate, report 928, part /, Nav
8, 1890, page go, says: "Wirhin our
bor,ier there cannot be found soil 80
uniformly fertile and so capable Of
varied produ ton, under irrigation, az
that OF the ella, Salt and Santa Cruz
rivers, in southern and central Arizona.
Analysis OF this soil shows its fertile
qualities 10 be superior to that of the
Nile earth"
Is l. the soil durable? As nearly
ineHnanstible rs any known soil. The
Baricupa Indians, a remnant OF q semi
civilized tribe. have raised wheat upon
gnme OF these lands continually since
the advent Of the early mission in the