Graham guardian., 1895-12-06
A Few Facts Concerning the Most
Fertile Valley of the South
West.
OUR MINERAL WEALTH
Is Unsurpassed Both in Richness and
Quantity. Through the art of Irri-
CATION Large Portion of our
County has Become
Perfect Garden.

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 it's isolated situa-
ton, up to 1894, when the Gila
Valley, Globe & Northern railroad
was built from the Southern Pa
ciic 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 its 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, preoipitous 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
for irrigation is cheaply and abun-
dantly diverted from the running
streams. Here the proper system
of water appropriation has been
followed, The owners of the 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 20 togvan- u
er. When one buys a farm here
he gets certain amount ofinterest
in 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 been.s tested except in a desul-
tory way, each farmer having a |
small general orchard, but results
point to agreat future for horticul-
ture. The prune, apple, pear and
peach reach great size and perfec- |
ton 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
deabtful if citrus fruit can be large
" cultivated.
We do not claim to produce
fruits six weeks earlier than Cali
tornia or any other place. But we I
get them in proper season, of the
inest quality and so abundantly
hat they can be put in the mark
Its in as good condition and as
,heaply and proitably perhaps as
n any portion Of the Union; when
iuch business is intetligently pur-
ued. What will perhaps most in
crest our readers outside of the
county will be the opportunities
lere afforded for those desiring
lew homes, actuated by climatic
" the many other reasons which
ause desire to change.
There is but little chance to take
and under the Homestead or other
cts, where water for irrigation is
asily obtainable, but the price of
he best improved lands with first
lass water rights can, as yet, be
purchased at reasonable rates, as
ompared with many sections, not
ombining the advantages found
ere, very cheap rates.
Our highest mountain peaks {
ouch the regions of almost per-
etual snow, affording delightful
etreats from the heat Of summer,
nd perfectly accessible in a few :
ours drive.
We believe our county has made
5 good progress in all material de-
elopment as any portion of the S
erritory, and iG is based on that
est of security, agriculture and s
reat mineral deposits of we'll de- {
ned and permanent character,
ell managed and sure producers.
To the intending settler we can
fer good schools, daily mails,
ood markets and good society. t,
n fhncn |