The Arizona sentinel., 1894-08-18


 elized. But coupled with her geographi- cal position we find that she is the center of a country whose agricultural possibili- ties are practically unlimited, being sur rounded by soil the fertility of which exceeds that of the delta Of the Nile, and wanting oaly water to become paradise ot bloom. Billions of gallons of that precious fluid have annually gone to waste at Yuma's very doors, but already reaction is taking place and many enterprises are on foot to supply the ife-giving waters ot the yellow Colorado to the thirsty earth.
 RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.
 In regard to climate, healthfulness, fer tility and productiveness of soil, facilities for cultivation, irrigation and abundance ot water supply, variety Of resources and cheap transportation by rail and by water, no part of Arizona can surpass Yuma county, which is destined to become one of richest and most prosperous counties in Arizona
 It lies between 32o O0' and 340 20> north latitude and 1l3o 20' and ll4' 40' west longitude. It contains 6,4SS, 320 acres. It is about as large as the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware com bixed, or as large as either New Hampshire, Vermont or Massachusetts.
 The western boundary of Yuma County is formed by the Colorado river, which separates Arizona from California. The county is bounded on the north by Williams Fork and the Santa Maria river, whose waters flow into the Colorado; on the east bv the counties of Pima, Maricopa and Yavapai, and on the south by Sonora, Mexico. Its county seat is the town of Yuma.
 The Colorado river drains the entire ter ritory of Arizona, and every drop ct water which falls on its mountains and plains finds its way to this mighty river. It is formed by the union of the Green and Grand rivers, fed by the streams which rise in the Rocky Mountains, and the melt inc snows cause a greater depth of water in this river in summer than in winter. thus furnishing the most water at the season when it is most required for the purposes of irrigation and agriculture.
 It will be seen that for the entire distance along its western boundary, Yuma County possesses the great advantage of cheap water transportation.
 The Gila river rises in the western part of New Mexico and is fed by numerous streams, among the most prominent ol which are the San Pedro, Agua Fria, Has sayampa and Salt rivers. It flows west through Yuma County and empties into the Colorado at the town of Yuma.
 Yuma county, traversed by these great rivers from its northern to its southern and from its eastern to its western bound aries, possesses far greater water supply than any other county ill the Territory and far more than can be found in all Cali fernia.
 This water is now being diverted from it natural channels by means Of numerou large irrigating canals, and utilized for thu purpose of retaining and irrigating tn immense tracts of lands which lie i'll thi favored country, and which are as fertil as any in the world.
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses tn Colorado river at the town of Yuma an runs through the county, following tn generol course, and at an average distance of about four miles south, of the Gila river rendering all the lands susceptible of irr gation and cultivation, can lind an eas outlet in this way and can be transpol te to all the markets and centers of populatio in the East or West
 Another competing railroad is projecte from San Diego, California, to the tow ofYuma, ard thence along the north siC of the Gila river. Thus Yuma County wi have exceptional railroad advantages.
 THE CLIMATE OF YUMA.
 The climate of Yuma for nine months the year has no equal, as we believe, Tn t world, and during the remaining thr months of the year, comprising June, Ju and August, the heat is not oppressiv Even though the thermometer in mId-suI mer may al times rise above l00o, and c casionally even reach ll00, yet, owing the absence of moisture in the air, it is n oppressive. The atmosphere is pure, liz and balmy. When the mercury marks | highest extreme of heat, a person does I feel that oppression or debility which felt ill the Eastern States when the m cury is ranging from SO' to 9O' The air so dry that precipitation is absorbed as SC as it reaches the surface of the body, g at no time in the summer does the h produce any discomfort
 LANDS AND SOILS.
 The lands of Yuma County comprise the bottoms and valleys and the uplands or nesas. bottom lands are moister and slightly more fer if, indeed it is possible to make compari: where all are so wonderfully productive and prol The uplands or mesas warmer and, perh slightly better :o= tLe cultivation o:tLe citrus t-; y,,raa containsa variety q soil The valley E