The Arizona sentinel., 1895-01-26


cal position we find that she is the center
of a country whose agricultural possible
ties are practically unlimited, being sur.
rounded by soil the fertility of which
exceeds that of the delta of the Nile, and
wanting only water to become a paradise Of
bloom. Billions of gallons of that precious
fluid have annually gone to waste al
Yuma's very doors, but already reaction
is taking place and many enterprises are
on foot to supply the ife-giving waters Of
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 of
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
ichest and most prosperous counties in
Arizona.
1t lies between 80 O0' and 340 90 north
latitude and ll30 20 and ll40 40 west
longitude. 1t contains 6. ASS, 800 acres. 1t
is about as large as the States of Rhode
Island, Connecticut and Delaware COM
bized, 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
by 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. 1t is
formed by the union of the Green and
Grand rivers, fed by the streams which
rise in the Rocky Mountains, and the melt
ing SHOWS 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.
1t 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 of
which are the San Pedro, Aqua Fria, Has
saysmpa and Salt rivers. 1t 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 a far greater water supply
than any other county in the Territory,
and far more than can be found in all Cali
Io.-.s.
This water is now being diverted from its
natural channels by means of numerous
large irrigating canals, and utilized for the
purpose of retaining and irrigating the
iwmense tracts OF lands which lie in this
favored country, and which are as fertile
as any In 5ae world.
The southern Pacific Railroad crosses the
Colorado river at the town of Yuma and
runs through the county, following the
generol course, and at an average distance
of about four miles south, of the ella river.
rendering ali The lands susceptible of irri-
cation and cultivation, can find an easy
outlet in this way and can be transpol ted
60 all the markets and centers of population
IL the East or West.
Another competing railroad is projected
from San Diego. California, to the town
c Yuma, and thence along the north side
of the ella river. Thus Yuma County will
have exceptional railroad advantages.
THE CLIMATE OF YUMA.
TIE climate of Yuma for nine months of
the year has no equal, as we believe, in the
world, and during the remaining three
months OF the year, comprising June, July
and August, ths heat is not oppressive.
Even though the thermometer in mid-sum-
mer may az times rise above 1902, and Oc-
easionally even reach ll0o, yet, owing to
the absence of moisture in the air, it is not
oppressive. The atmosphere is pure, light
and balmy. When the mercury marks the
highest extreme of heat, person does not
feel that oppression or debility which is
felt in the Eastern States when the mer-
curry is ranging from So to 90. The air is
so dry that Precipitation is absorbed as soon
as it reaches the surface of the body, and
at no time in the summer does the heat
produce any discomfort.
LANDS AND SOILS.
The lands of Yuma County comprise the river
bottoms and valleys and the uplands or mesaS. The
bottom ands are noister and slightly mere fertile,
ii, indeed, it is possible to make comaripsons
where all wonderfully productive and prolific.
The upands are warmer and ,fperhaps,
slightly better for the cultivation Ofthe citrus fruits
EEH2 contains vErIety Of sell The valley land