Arizona republican., 1895-10-19
ARIZONA'S AGRICULTURE Discussed by Farmers in
 Convention. First Session of the Nature Held Here. Addresses of Professors BogGs, Devol and Tourney on Water
 and Tillage.

Yesterday was an eventful date in the history of irrigation and agricul- ture in Arizona, for it marked the as- sembling in Phoenix of the first gen. eral convention of agriculturists ever held in the territory.
 When Vice-President Goodrich, of the chamber of commerce, rapped for order yesterday morning the floor of the opera house was comfortably filled. The attendance embraced rep territory, mainly from the class that wrests subsistence from the earth, men who, having formed theories and acquired knowledge by stern experi- ence, were the better qualified to sit in judgment upon the opinions of others likewise skilled in the science and practice of agriculture in the southwest.
 On motion of Thos. Armstrong, Jr., i for chairman of the convention was chosen Prof. William Stowe Devol, director of Arizona experiment sta tions Secretary Bruce Perley, of the chamber of commerce, was elected secretary.
 ''The Economic Distribution and Use of Water" was the leading and popular subject, presented by Jas. Me Milan, of the Gila Bend. canal, and W. s. Johnson, of Mesa. Sharp argu- ment was had over the local modes of water distribution, the speakers in the discussion being Messrs. Isaacs, Scott, Logan, Hayden and Woolf
 Probate Judge c. W. Grouse had a paper upon "The Adaptation of the Water Supply of Arizona to Farm Purposes" It clearly gave a de- scription of the Salt Riyer valley and the other irrigated sections of ,Ari- zona where it seems as though the ground had been prepared by careful human hands or by the Almighty, 50 level is it and so well adapted for all of irrigation's purposes.
 The first paper of the afternoon ses- sion was read by Prof. Edward M. Boggs, of the experiment station, and honorary territorial irrigation engi- neer. It was in reference to Water Supply" and treated of the many sources from which the Arizona farm CT may gain the moisture necessary to the growth of his crops. He treated of the gravity system as now used, of the utilization of the underf1ow by surface cuts, of pumping, of artesian wells and of the main issue of the day, water storage. In the last he be lieves will be found a panacea for nearly all irrigation ills, though the | +o ,h mt Io cultivation of any save the higher priced and more profitable products. The paper as whole was highly com mended by all present.
 ''The Prevention of Blight in To- mato and Strawberry Plants" by A. c. Lockwood, of Glendale, and Eco homie Fungi" by Prof. Jas. N. Tou- mey, of the University of Arizona, were subjects that caught the attan- tion of and elicited much inquiry from the floor, and from Prof. Tourney much was learned of causes and cures for plant diseases.
 Chairman Devol closed the after noon with a thoughtful paper relative to the work of the experiment stations in Arizona, showing their purpose and their degree of success in accomplish ment.
 The opera house was well filled at the evening session. Gov. L. c. Hughes was introduced by Chairman Devol and addressed the audience, his subject being the broad one of Arizona s Progress Through Agriculture"
 The governor congratulated the farmers, fruit and stock growers of the territory on the successful organi- zatiOn of their association, and spoke of the many good results which will flow therefrom.
 1 There is no employment, he said, which so fosters honesty, virtue, pa triotism and the religious sentiments, makes stronger men and developes self-reliance as does the farm. Wash ington and Lincoln ard host of our greatest statesmen and commercial leaders were products of the farm
 Agriculture gives stable communi- ties and prosperity always follows the prosperous farming regions. All other interests pay tribute to the far. mer.
 The governor urged the importance of encouraging home industry Mar icopa county alone ought to supply the territory with the products of the farm and orchard. He advised the encouragement of dairy and poultry farming, of the apiary and fish culture, and the cultivation of flow CTS in every home as a source of pleasure and profit; also tree culture along the ca nals and waste places of the farm, and urged the association to take an