Graham guardian., 1895-11-01

Graham county lies in the south
eastern portion of the Territory,
having been formed from Pima and
Apache counties by the Legislature
of 1881. 1t has been but little
known, owing to its isolated situa-
ton, up to 1894, when the Gila
Valley, Globe & Northern railroad
was built from the Southern Pa
cifc road, at Bowie, into the county.
At this writing 1t has its terminus
at Thomas, but is pushing ahead,
with the rich mining district of
Globe, in Gila county, for it's OBJ
jective point. This road traverses
the valley of the ella, which COM
prises the largest and best tract of
agricultural land in the eastern
part of the Territory.
The area of the county approx
mates 1000 square miles. 1t is all
at an elevation Of more than $500
feet above sea level, which secures
it from the burning heats exper-
fenced in the lower valleys to the
west. Its surface is diversified by
rolling hills, precipitous and rug
ged mountain ranges. elevated pla-
teaus and valleys, all producing
nutritious grasses fairly well in
seasons of average rain fall, and af-
fording good pasturage for a
reasonable amount of stock.
The agricultural development is
as yet confined to the rich alluvial
soils OF the river valleys, as water
fer irrigation is cheaplv and abun-
dantly diverted from the running
streams Here the proper system
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of water approplA. mas peen
followed, The owners OF land
cooperate and build and own the
canals that supply their land with
the necessary water, each farmer
paying his pro rata of the expense
attending the keeping up of the
bitches and distribution of water.
Land and water here go togeth-
er. When one buys a farm here
he gets certain amount ofinterest
in a dith that supplies his land.
The range of crops includes all
kinds of small grain, corn and cot.
ton, Irish and sweet potatoes, and
all root crops, in fact everything
grown in the most favored spots in
the temperate zone. The capacity
of our irrigated lands for fruits has
not beenss tested except in a desul-
tory way, each farmer having
small general orchard, but results
point to agreat future for horticul-
ture. The prune, apple, pear and
peach reach great size and perfec-
tion here. The seedlings produced
seldom fail to equal In size and
quality the grated varieties. Some
of the semitropical fruits do well,
such as figs, pomegranates, and
tender varieties of grapes. 1t is
doubtful if citrus fruit can be large
ly cultivated.
We do not claim to produce
fruits six weeks earlier than Cali
fornia or any other place. But we
get them in proper season, of the
finest quality and so abundantly
that they can be put in the mark
cts in as good condition and as
cheaply and proftably perhaps as
in any portion of the Union; when
such business is intetligently pur-
sued. What will perhaps most in
terest our readers outside of the
county will be the opportunities
here afforded for those desiring
new homes, actuated by climatic
or the many other reasons which
cause desire to change.
There is but little chance to take
land under the Homestead or other
acts. where water for irrigation is
easily obtainable, but the price of
the best improved lands with first
class water rights can, as yet, be
purchased at reasonable rates, as
compared with many sections, not
combining the advantages found
here, very cheap rates.
Our highest mountain reaks
touch the regions of almost per-
petual snow, affording delightful
retreats from the heat Of summer,
and perfectly accessible in a few
hours drive.
We believe our county has made
as good progress in all material de-
velopment as any portion of the
Territory, and it is based on that
best of security, agriculture and
great mineral deposits of well de-
fined md permanent character,
well managed and sure producers.
To the intending settler we can
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