Arizona republican., 1893-03-28


 for irrigation? Owing to the fact thai the lands of the valley are nearly level, having only slight fall to the west or sonth sufficient to carry the water, there is no cost for leveling or preparing the land for irrigation. In southern California the leveling of the land alone costs often as high as $40 per acre.
 22. Is any special treatment of ground or crop required? Deep, thor ough and frequent tillage only. No fertilizers required. 23, What is the cost per acre per year for water? $225 per miner's inch, or $l.25 per acre per year.
 24. How is the water obtained for ir- rigation? The water is diverted from the Salt river below the junction of the Verde river (these two rivers having Il watershed of l5,000 square miles, by means of dams, and carried to the lands to be irrigated through large canals, which in turn supply the smaller ditches or laterals which conduct the water where needed to be used
 25. Are the -sers of water liable for assessments or repairs on the canals? No; the canal company hears all such  expenses.
 26. How is the water obtained for domestic uses? In the city of PhRnix. from the water-works and from wells. in the country, from the canals and from wells.
 27. How do Salt River valley oranges compare with the best California fruit? The Riverside Press, of Riverside Cali fornia, said: "Z. T. brown returned from the Gila Bend country last night. He brought back with him a box of Navel oranges grown about eleven miles from Phoenix, Tn the Salt River valley. These oranges are magnificent specmens-good size. rich color, very sweet and finely favored. They ripen in November, couple of months earlier than here in Riverside. It has been fully demonstrated that fine oranges can be raised in Arizona"
 Office of the Director General,
 Worlds Colum bian Exposition.
 Chicago, December 26, lS9l.) My dear MT. Coates:
 The box of Salt River valley oranges, which you were so kind to send me, came yesterday, just in time to be opened on Christmas morning. We found them very fine. For your thoughtfulness and kindness please ac- cept my cordial thanks.
 Very truly yours,
 GEORGE A. DAVIS.
 2S. Is experience neededln the grow ing of fruits? Yes, but it can be easily and rapidly acquired.
 20. Are orange trees in Salt River valley liable to scale? No; the dryness of the atmosphere is safeguard.
 30. What are the leading and most profitable varieties of deciduous fruits? ? Apricots, peaches, figs almonds and rsisin grapes.
 3l. What other fruits are also raised ? Oranges, olives, pomegranates, wine and table grapes, dates. bananas, nectarines, prunes, Quinces, apples, pears and all kinds of berries.
 32. How are they disposed of? The | local market of surrounding mining and | cattle districts consume the greater part ! of the fresh fruits. The surplus is ship 1 ped in refrigerator cars, or dried or canned for the eastern markets.
 33. What kind Of grapes are culti- vated? Table grapes for local and ex- port use, wine and raisin grapes.
 34. Is raisin growing profitable? | Raisins return from Sl00 to $200 per | acre.
 35. Is the raisin crop during curing liable to damage from rains One of | the peculiar advantages of the dry | climate of the Salt River valley is the | absence of daws and fogs, and the fact that no rainfall need be expected dur ing curing period. Indeed, so great is this advantage that California grapes have been shipped into Arizona to be cured.
 36. Are fruits the only product of the soil? No; there is large acreage of alfalfa, wheat and barley.
 37. What do the various grains yield | per acre? Wheat from l,500 to 2.500 lbs., and barley from 1000 to 5000 bs., per acre. according to cultivation.
 38. What hay crops are raised? Bar ley and oats are largely grown for hay, and cut while the grain is in the milk. Alfalfa, however, is the leading crop for hay.
 80. What is the yield of alfalfa per acre? From l to 2 tons per cutting. It is cut from 4 to 6 times per year, thus yielding from 8 to l2 tons per acre per annum.
 40. What IS the value of such hay? From $500 to $l2.00 per ton, baled, ac- cording to the season.
 fl. Does alfalfa make good meadow or pastures? Alfalfa is unsurpassed as a forage plant, and is equally valuable for hay or pasture. One acre of alfalfa pasture supports, in prime condition, two head of stock, and this all the year round.
 AZ. Is the Salt River valley a good locality for live stock? Horses, cattle, sheep or hogs are matured on alfalfa pastures without ever being housed or fed one pound of grain. The mild climate and lnxuriant pastures are at- tracting attention to this valley as a favorable locality for the breeding of fine pedigreed stock.
 43. It is profitable business to buy stock cattle to feed? Yes; the sur mountain cattle ranges fur nish immense quantities of stockers, which the farmer can buy at reasonable prices.
 Al. II farmer has not the necessary money 10 put into cattle, can he dispose Of his surplus pasture after cutting the laet crop of hay? Yes; the price Of Al n !