The Arizona sentinel., 1894-11-03
FRUIT CULTURE.

Fruit production throughout Arizona is 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 thai the soil and climate of Yuma
County are peculiarly adapted for this branch of
agricultural entcrp~ise. 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
oye1 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 $50, writes follows of the rich
valleys OF the ella. Colorado and Calt rivers.
The soil of these valleys is among the richest
on the continent 1t is formed of the detritus
which the streams for ages have brought down
from their mountain homes in their journey to the
sea. By constant overfows and change of channel,
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 anu grasses. FdIUuer DacK lEeTe Is q rl-n
sandy loan, mellow ami porous, and especially
favorable for fruit culture. 1t has been already
demonstrated that the productive c,pacIy Of these
valleys is not surpassed by lands 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 cultvator is reduced to the
minimum In nearly all of them two crops a year
can be growth, and vegetation is one month ahead
of California. The farmers pllnts a cottonwood
sapling before his door, and within the year he has
a shade tree twenty-five feet hirh, Alfalfa can be
cut six times Iring the season, and it is actual
fact the grape-cuttings have produced within eigh-
teen MOI tbs What State or Territory can make
such 4 showing? The climate, it must be remem-
hered, is nearly perpetual summer. Snow never
falls in these southern valleys. The farmer begins
to plant in November and by the middle of Way
his harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fruit
trees are bios oming, and the graiT fields a
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 corn barley, oats ard al the small grains
give yield of from twenty-five to fifty bushels to
Lht dCIC Alldlids CiON6Is JIiuOIIlg, DeTlnDIa ana
all the cultivated grasses grow luxuriqntly, 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 demonsrat
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 adaptabihty for fruit culture
that assures to these valley lands dense popula-
ton and aprosperous future. Almost every var
ety known can be raised in their fruitful soils. The
apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, ounce and
tarine, of delicious favor, and give gen
erous yield. The grape of all varieties j. at home
in these sunny wales. No place in the grape-grow-
ing belt Of the Pacific Coast can show so prolific
yield. The quality is all that could be desired;
and the wine, although its manufacture is vet ex-
perimental is of fire flavor delicious bouquet,
and unsurpassed by any native product as q table
beverage. Experiments with the raisin-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 now 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
"In the valleys of the Colorado, the Salt and the
ella livers there is room for thousands 1t is not
too much to say that nowhere within the limits Of
this broad Union can be found more desirable
region for the making of a home. No laborious
clearing of the land is required; it lies almost
ready for the pillow. Trees and shrubiery have so
rapid growth that within eighteen months the
immigrant surround his abode with attractions
which would require years to mature in less favored
climates. Fruits ripen and are ready for market
full month b fore the California product. The
bright sunshine makes life a luxury and the pure,
dry atmosphere brings health to all who iphale it.
For the establishment Of colonies, such we have
made of Southern California arden, Arizona
presents uBrivalcd opportunities Thousands of