Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-03-11

chamber of commerce has prepared and
published the following list of questions
and answers. Any information not
contained herein will be cheerfully
furnished by addressing, Bruce Perley,
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
"a 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 750 square
miles, aggregating 100000 acres Of irri-
gable land, surrounded on all sides by
the foothills Of adjacent mountain
ranges.
3. 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 10 agricul-
ture, horticulture and live stock ex-
clusively.
A. 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 is but 1850 feet the ter
Iitory 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 Septem Der from 70
to 102 degrees, sometimes going to ITO
degrees. The nights are always pleas
ant.
z. What is the average temperature
by season? U. 5. signal reports, cover.
ing ten years, from 1877 to 1887, show:
Average spring temperature. =. 70.5
Average summer temperature. 1913
Average autumn temperature. 73.1
Highest temperature. ........ll5.
Lowest temperature. ......... 22.5
Average annual temperature. 1872
s. How does the heat affect one? A
temperature OF 80 degrees in the east
ern states is far more prostrating and
dangerous than the highest tempera-
ture experienced in the Salt River val
ley.
9. What is the cause OF the differ
eDce? The absence OF humidity in the
atmosphere.
10. What is the average rain fall?
Six and thirty-seven one-hundredth
inches, confined principally to the win
ter months,
IL. Does it rain continually during
the winter? Only day or two at
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.
10. Are earthquakes ever expert
encedP Slight shocks have been known,
but not as frequently as in the Missis-
sippi valley.
IA. How are lung and throat diseases
affected by the climate? Most favor
ably this valley 10 natural sanitarium,
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
in pulmonary diseases is mild and dry
climate. Southern California has
mild climate, but it is not dry. Colo
RADIO has a dry climate, but it is not
mild. The Salt River valley has eli
mate at once mild and dry Eminent
specialists now recommend the Salt |
River valley In pulmonary diseases.
Is. DO malarial or epidemic diseases
prevail? Less than in any other part of
the United States. The dryness OF the
atmosphere is uniavorable to the trans
mission of disease germs.
l6. Are there any poisonous reptiles ? |
Yes, in the adjacent mountains, but ir- |
rigaiion drives them away from the
cultivated lands.
II. To what productions lie 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 &C.
cumulated wasbiDgs from the surround
ing hills, made up OF the fine particles
that have been, during countless CEN
turtles, disintegrated by frost, or the
chemical action of the atmosphere.
The water he (the farmer) uses is also
charged with new fertility, thus pro-
duced annually and gathered from the
sides OF the mountains scores and hun
dreds OF miles away, so that every flow
ing OF the land benefits it This
is no theoric idea. We have seen thou
eands Of acres here growing crops that
rival in luxriaDce those found in the
famed valley of the Nile, which derives
its vivifying liquid, bearing fertilizing
elements, from the far off lands in upper
Egypt and beyond. This valley
OF the salt derives its righteousness
from the mountain regions OF interior
arid Arizona"
The special committee OF the United
States senate, report 92S, part l, MAY
5, 1890, page 60, says: "Within our
border there cannot be found soil 80
uniformly fertile and so capable of
varied production, under irrigation, as
that OF the ella, Salt and Santa Cruz
rivers, in southern and central Arizona.