The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1894-09-22
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 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 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 $50, 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. It 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 overhows and change of channel,
the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form
ed a 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 of the cultvator 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 cottonwood
sapling before his door, and within the year he has
a shade tree twenty-five feet hiphl Alfalfa be
cut six times during the season, and it is actual
fact the grape-cuttings have produced within egh
teen months! What State Territory make
such a showing? The climate, it must be remem
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 poisoning, and the grair fields are sea
Of green, when the fields of the Eastern farmer;
are covered with snow and ice.
Every variety Of grains, grasses, fruits and vege
tables grown in the temperate and semi-trOpit
zones can be produced in the valleys Of Arizona
S Wheat, corn barley, oats and all the small grains
give yield of from twenty-five to fifty bushels t.
the acre Alfalfa, clover, timothy, Bermuda anc
all the cultivated grasses grow luXurianty, tn,
former giving from eight to ten tons to the acr
S each year, Every variety of vegetable raised il
e the United States can be grown in Arizona, anC
nowhere are they found of better quality.
'Besides the products mentioned these semi
e tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar-cane, to
i bacco, hemp and rice With the exception of tn
sugar-cane but little attention. is paid to the cult
walton of other staples but it has been demonstrat
ed that the soil and climate are specially adapte
; to their successful growth Cotton growing is n
/ experiment in Arizona, for it is on record tina
y when the Europeans first penetrated this region
d they found the Pima Indians wearing fabric
., made of cotton grown in the ella valley.
"But it is their adaptabihty for fruit cultur
that assures to these valley lands a dense popula
q tion and aprosperous future Almost every val
ety known be raised in their fruitful soils. III
lie apple pear, plum, peach, apricot, ounce and ne
II tarine, of delicious flavor, and give gel
erous yield. The grape of all varieties is at hon
in these sunny wales. No place in the grape-grov
ing belt of the Pacific Coast can show so prolific
yield. The quality is all that could be desires
Of and the wine although its manufacture is vet e
10 perimental is of fine flavor, delicious bouque
and unsurpassed by any native product a tab
beverage. Experiments with the raisin graz
" have shown that this climate and soil posse
e. every advantage for the production and curing
n. this staple article of commerce.
. Besides the fruits already mentioned, the c
ange, lemon, lime, olive, fig, pomegranate, al
~ others of the citrus family can be grown succe'
OF fully in the valleys of Southern Arizona. Dram
lt trees are now in bearing in the Salt River vail
ne and at Yuma while the bananas is also being CT
"a tivated at the latter place The Arizona orange
. quality and flavor win compare fayorably with t
- best California.
r. ''In the valleys of the Colorado, the Salt and
is ella livers there is room for thousands. 1t is
on too much to say that nowhere within the limits
nd this broad Union be found a more desirat
region for the making of home. No iaborio
clearing of the land is required; it lies alm'
ready for the pillow. Trees and shrubbery have
rapid growth that within eighteen months t
immigrant can surround his abode with attractio
yer which would require years to mature in less favor
The climates Fruits ripen and ready for mari
lie, a full month b fore the California product
ons bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pu
tic dry atmosphere brings health to all who inhale
ps For the establishment Of colonies, such we bo
its made of Southern California arden, Arizo
nd | presents UnriValed opportunities Thousands