The Arizona sentinel., 1894-12-15
FRUIT CULTURE.

Fruit production throughout Arizona is a sub
ject of great interest at present, and Will no
doubt, be the principal industry in Yuma County.
The remarkable results that have sprung from
very superficial and imperfect culture has de-
mOnstrated that the soil and climate of Yuma
County are peculiarly adapted for this branch of
agricultural enterprise. The development of these
resources is OF the utmost Importance and is at
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, the most skept-
zeal, 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 1886, writes as follows of the rich
valleys of the CHA. Colorado and Salt rivers.
"The soil of these valleys is among the richest
on the continent. 1t is formed of the detritus
| sea- BY CONSTANT dverTTUws cTfr5e iCnTr15T,
the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form
ed soil of extreme fertility, Near the streams it
| is dark alluvial mold well 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
demonstrated that the productive capacity of these
valleys is not surpassed by lands of equal area in
any part of the United States So rapid and prolific
is the growth of the fruits cereals and vegetables
that the labor the cultivator is reduced to the
minimum. In nearly all OF them two crops year
can be growth, and vegetation is one month ahead
| of California. The farmers plants a cottonwood
sapling before his door, and within the year he has
| .-l,rl J.;
cut six times during the season. and it is an actual
fact the grape cuttings have produced within eigh-
teen months! What State or Territory can make
such showing? The climate, it must be remen1-
bered, is nearly perpetual summer. Snow never
falls in these southern valleys. The farmer begins
to plant in November, and by the middle of May
his harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fruit
trees are blossoming, and the grain 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 and semi-tropic
| zones can be produced in the valleys of Arizona
Wheat, barley, oats and all the small grains
give yield of from twenty-five to fifty bushels to
the acre Alfalfa, clover, timothy, Bermuda and
all the cultivated grasses grow luxuriantly, the
former giving from eight to ten tons to the acre
each year, Every variety of vegetable raised in
the United States can be grown in Arizona, and
| nowhere are they found of better quality.
"Besides the products mentioned these semi
tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar-cane, to-
bacco, hemp and rice. With the exception of the
sugarcane but little attention. is paid to the Guilt
walton of other staples; but it has been demonstrate
ed that the soil and climate are specially adapted
to their successful growth. Cotton-growing is no
experiment in Arizona, for it is on record that
when the Europeans first penetrated this region,
they found the Pima Indians wearing fabrics
made of cotton grown in the ella valley.
"But it is their adaptabillty for fruit culture
that assures to these valley lands dense pOpula-
| ton and aprosperous future. Almost every var
iety known can be raised in their fruitful Soils The
apple pear, plum, peach, apricot, ounce and nee
| tarine, are of delicious flavor, and give gen
erous yield. The grape of all varieties is at home
| in these sunny wales. No place in the grape-grow-
ing belt of the Pacific Coast can show so prolific a
yield. The quality is all that could be desired;
and the wine, although its manufacture is vet ex-
perimental, is of fine flavor, delicious bouquet,
and unsurpassed by any native product as table
| beverage. Experiments with the rasin-grape
have shown that this climate and soil possess
every advantage for the production and curing of
this staple article Of commerce
| "Besides the fruits already mentioned, the or
ange, lemon, lime, olive, fig, pomegranate, and
Others of the citrus family, can be grown success
| fully in the valleys Of Southern Arizona. Orange
| trees in bearing in the Salt River valley
| and at Yuma; while the bananas is also being cul-
tivated at the latter place. The Arizona orange in
quality and flavor will compare favorably with the
| best California.
SIN the valleys Of the Colorado, the Salt and the
ella rivers there is for thousands. 1t is not
too much to say that nowhere within the limits OF
| this broad Union be found = desirable
| region for the making of home. No laborious
! clearing of the land is required; it lies almost
ready for the pillow. Trees and shrubbery have so
rapid a growth that within eighteen months the
immigrant can surround his abode with attractions
which would require years to mature in less favored
climates. Fruits ripen and are ready for market
| full month before the California product. The
bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure,
dry atmosphere brings health to all who nhale it.
For the establishment Of colonies, such we have
made Of Southern California arden, Arizona
presents zzrivIlsd opportunities Thousands of