Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-04-07

secretary OF the chamber OF commerce,
Phoenix, Ariz.
l. Where is the Salt River valley?
In the central part of Maricopa county,
in southern Arizona, comprising the
land lying ON either side OF Salt river,
between the mouth OF the Verde river
IA tributary and the confluence OF the
Salt river with the ella river.
2. How large is the Salt River val
ley? The valley proper is some fifty
miles in length and averages fifteen
miles in width, containing 100 square
miles, aggregating 4S0. 00J acres of irri-
gable land, surrounded on all sides by
the foothills Of adjacent mountain
ranges.
8. How does this section compare
with other parts of the territory? The
territory OF Arizona is OF a generally
mountainous character very rich in
mines, timber, and live stock, while the
Salt River valley is devoted to agricul-
tnre, horticulture and live stock ex-
clusively.
4. What is the climate? The terri
tory being some $50 miles in length,
north and south, and the altitude of
the northern portion being from 5000
to 1000 feet, while that Of the Salt
River valley 10 but l $50 feet, the ter
ritory presents great variety OF eli
mate. The climate Of the Salt River
valley is semi.tropical, with little frost,
no snow, and moderate rain IN the
winter.
5. How low does the thermometer go
in winter? Very rarely below freezing
point, 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. What is the summer temperature?
In July, August and September from 70
TO lO2 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 {:
Averag- spring temperature. 7O.5
Average summer temperature. S9.3
Average autumn temperature. 1871
Highest temperature. ........ll5
Lowest temperature. ........ 20
Average annual temperature. 1872
8. How does the heat affect one? A
temperature Of 80 degrees in the east
srn states il far more pTostrating and
DANGEROUS than the highest rempera-
shre eNpetienCcu III ZIG C"It t'fC' var
ley.
o. What is the cause OF the differ
spce? The absence OF humidity in the
atmosphere.
10. What is the average rain fall ?
Six and thirty-seveR one-hundredth
inches, confined principally to the win
ser months,
IL. Does it rain continually during
the winterP Only day or two at a
time, with intervals OF weeks OF cloud
less weather.
IL. Are the storms violent? Thun-
der and lightning are very rare. Cy-
clones and wind-storms are unknown,
ID. Are earthquakes ever expert
encrd? Slight shocks have been known,
but not as frequently as in the Mlssis-
sippi valley.
IA. How are lung and throat diseases
affected by the climate? Most favor
ably tbis valley 10 natural -antarium.
The worst cases, both from the east and
west, come here with the most beneficial
results, many OF them being permau-
entity cured. The climatic desiderarum
in pulmonary d seases Is mild and dry
climate. Southern California has II
mild climate, but it is not dry. Colo
.ado has dry climate, bat it is not
mild. The Salt River valley has a eli
mate at ouce mild and dry Eminent
specialists now recommend the Salt
River valley in pulmonary diseases.
Is. Do malarisl or epidemic diseases
prevail? Less than in any other part Of
The United States. The dryness OF the
atmosphere j. unfavOrable to the trans
mission OF disease germs.
10. Are there any poisonous reptiles
Yes. in the adjacent mountains. but ir-
rigaiion drives them away from the
cultivated lsnds.
II. To what productions is 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, editorialIy:
"Most OF these valley soils are the ac-
eumuiated washing- from The surround
ing hills, made up of the tine particles
that have been, during countless cen-
turies, disintegrated by frost, or the
chemical action of the atmosphere.
The water he (the farm"r) uses is also
charged with new fertility, thus pro-
dnced annually and gathered from the
SIDES Of the IN puntains scores and hun.
dreds OF miles away, 50 that every flow
ing OF the land benefits it This
Is u" theoric idea. We have aeen thon,
sands Of acres here growing crops that
rival in luxrianre those found in the
famed valley OF the Nile, which derives
it, vivifying liquid, hearing ferriIzing
elements, from the far off lands in upper
E!y ut and beyond. This valley
OF the Salt derives lite luxuriousness
from the mountain regions of interior
arid Arizona"
The special committee OF the United
States senate, report 928, part l, Nav
5, 1890, page 60, says: "Withn OUT
border there cannot be- found a soil 81
uniformly fertile and 80 capable o
varied produ ton, under irrgs don, a.
shat OF the ella, Salt and Santa Cruz
rivars. ia southern and central Arizona
Ana ysis of this roll shows its fertile
qualities to be superior to that OF thu
AiIp earth -