The Arizona sentinel., 1894-12-01
FRUIT CULTURE.

FRUIT CULTURE.
Fruit production throughout Arizona is a sub
ject of great interest at present, and VIII no
doubt, be the principal industry in Yuma County.
The remar kable results that have sprung from
very superficial and imperfect culture has de-
monstrated thar the soil and climate of Yuma
County are peculiarly adapted for this branch of
agricultural entcrp-is The development of these
| resources is of the utmost Importance and is
tracing careful attention. Experiments have been
made, with care, and facts in regard to the culture
of different kinds of fruits have been collected
which cannot fail to convince, even the most skept
ical, of the wonderful superiority Of Yuma County
over southern California in fruit growing, and
which must lead to a large and varied production,
of the most remunerative character.
The Commissioner of immigration in his report,
published in 1885, writes follows of the rich
valleys of the ella. Colorado and Salt rivers.
The soil OF these valleys is among the richest
on the continent 1t is formed of the detr;tus
which the streams for ages have brought down
from their noun. ain homes in their journey to the
| sea- BY constant overhows and change of channel,
the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form
ed a soil of Extreme fertility Fear the streams it
/ is dark aiuyial mold, we'll adapted to small
| grains and grasses. Farther back there is rich
sandy loan, mellow and porous, and especially
| favorable for fruit culture. 1t has been already
demon that the produ tive capacity Of these
valleys is not surpassed by Ian Is of equal in
any part of the United States So rapid and prolific
is the growth of the fruits, cereals and vegetables
that the labor of the cutivator is reduced to the
minimum. In nearly all of them two crops a year
! can be growth, and vegetation is month ahead
| of Cllifornip. The farmers plants cottonwood
sapling before his door, and within the year he has
a shade tree twenty-five feet hirh Alfalfa be
cut six times lrng the selsol and it is an actual
fact the grape cuttings have produced within eigh
teen moths What State or Territory make
such a showing? The climate, it must be remem-
bered, is nearly perpetual summer. Snow never
fall. in these southern valleys. The farmer begins
to plant in November, and by the miidle of Nay
his harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fruit
trees are bios omng, and the grair fields sea
OF green, when the fields of the Eastern farmers
are covered with snow and ice.
Every variety of grains, grasses, fruits and vege
tables grown in the temperate ami scmi-tropic
zones can be produced in the valleys of Arizona.
whelt, corn barley. oats and al the small grains
y
the acre Alfalfa, clover, timothy Bermuda an /
all the cultivated grasses grow luxurianty, the
former giving from isht to ten tons to the acre
5 each year, Every variety of vegetable raised in
: the United STATES can be grown in Arizona, and
nowhere are they found of better quality.
''Bes;des the products mentioned these semi
tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar-cane, to-
baceo, hemp and rice. With the exception of the
| ,rk
vation Of other staples; but has been Gemonstrat
ed that the soil and climate specially adapted
to their successful growth. Cotton growing is nc
experiment in Arizona, for it is on record thai
: when the Europeans first penetrated this region
I they found the Pima Indians wearing fabric:
made of cotton grown in the ella valley.
"'But it is their aiaptshillty for fruit culture
that assures to these valley lands dense popula-
l ton and aprosperous future Almost every var
ety known be raised in their fruitful soils. Tn
apple pear, plum, peach, apricot, ounce and nee
! tarine, of delicious flavor, and give gen
erous yield. The grape of all varieties i at hom
in these sunny wales. No place in the grape-grow
ing belt of the Pacif: Coast can show SO prolific
Weld. The quality is all that could be desired
f and the wine, although its manufacture is vet ex
= perimenta al, is of fine favor, delicious bouquet
| ana uHSur pGSSel Dy HaoiN6 pTOuuCG DIS d tdDl
: beverage. Experiments with the raisin-grap
have shown that this climate ami soil posses
. every advantage for the production and curing c
this staple article of commerce.
''Besides the fruits already mentioned, the OF
ange, lemon, lime, olive, fig. pomegranate, an
others of the citrus family, be grown success
Vt fully in the valleys of Southern Arizona. Orang
trees are now in bearing in the Salt River vale
% and at yuma; while the bananas is also being GU
tivated az the latter place. The Arizona orange
" quality and favor will compare favorably with tn
!" best California.
r 'In ths valleys of the Colora 10, the Salt and tn
is ella rivers there is room for thousands. 1t is nc
N too much to say that nowhere within the limits
this broad Union can be found a more desirabl
region for the making of home. No laborior
u clearing OF the land is required; it lies almo
ready for the pillow. Trees and ahrubtery have S
rapid a growth that within eighteen months til
immigrant can surround his abode with attraction
which would require years to mature in less favore
he climates Fruits rpen and are ready for mark'
e, a full month fore the California product. II
rs bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pur
c. dry atmosphere brings health to all who inhale
For the establishment of colonies, such as we hay
Is. made of Southern California arden, Arzon
I'D presents uarvaled opportunities Thousands