The Arizona sentinel., 1895-07-20
FRUIT CULTURE.

Fruit production throughout Arizona is a sub icct of great interest at present, and will 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 entcrp~is.. The development of these resources is of the utmost importance and is at tracing carefnl 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 tbe mostszept ical of the wonderful superiority of Yuma County 1 over Southern California in fruit growing, and which must lead to 9 large and varied production, Of the most romunorative character.
 The Commissioner Of Immigration in bis report, published in S3G, writes as follows Of the rich v;lleyso of the Gila, 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 oyerlows and change Of chaunel, the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form cd soil of ,ytreme fertility, Near the streams it is dark alluvial mold, well adapted to small grains and grasses. Farther back there is ri.h sandy foam, mellow and porous, and especially favorable for fruit culture. It has been alroaiy 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 growth of the fruits, cereals and vegetables that the labor ottao cu,ava5or is reduced to the minimum. h nearly all of them two crops ayear @ .a be growth, and vegetation is one month ahead Of California. The farmers plants a cottonwood
 nling before his door, and within the year he has 8 shade tree twenty y-iiTe feet hiEh, Alfalfa can be est six tinc 31ring the ssas5l, anI ie is sn actual .5gt the gTape-cuaings have produced within eigh- teen months, What State or Territory can make -a. h a showing? The climate, it must be remem- D @.red, 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 blossoming, and the grain fields are of green, when the fields of the Eastern farmers are covered with SHOW and ice.
 Every variety of grains, grasses, fruits and vege- tables grown in the temperate and semi -tropic zones can be produced in the valleys of Arizona. Wheat, corn barley, oats and all the small grains give yield Of from twenty-five to fifty bushels to
 
 all the cultivated grasses grow luxuriantIy, the former giving from eight to ten tons to the acre each year, Every variety Of vegetable raised in the United States can be grown in Arizona, and nowhere are they found of better quality.
 ''Besidas the products mentioned, these semi tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar-cane, to- bacco, hemp and rice With the exception of the su-ar-eane but little attention is paid to the cult yaton of other staples. but has been demonstrat- cd that the soil and climate gre specially adapted to their successful growth. Cotton-growing is no experiment in Arizona, for it is on record that when the Europeans first penetrated this region, they found the Pima Indians wearing fabrics made of cotton grown iu the Gila valley.
 ''But it is their a3aptabihty for fruit culture that assaros to these valley lands a dense popula tion and aprosperous future Almost every var iety known can be raised in their fruitful soils The apple, pear, plum peach, apricot, quince and nee tarinc, are of delicious flavor, and give gen erous yield. The grape of ali varieties i at home in these sunny ydIGs. Ayr,lr,co the grape grow ing belt of the PaciG: Coast can show so prolific yield. The Cuality is all that could be desired; and the wine. although it's manufacture is vet ex- perimental, is of fine flavor, delicious bouquet, and unsurpassed by any native product as a table beverage. Experiments with the raisin-grape have shown that this climate and soil possess every advantage for the production and curing of this staple article of commerce.
 ''Besides the fruits- already mentioned, the or ange, lemon, lime olive, fig, pomegranate, and others of the citrus family, can be grown success fully in the valleys of Southern Arizona. Orange trees are now in bearing in the Salt River valley and at Yuma; while the bananas is also being cul- tivatad the latter place. The Arizona orange in quality and flavor will compare fayorabIy with the best California.
 ''In the valleys of the Colorado the Salt and the Gfa iiyers, there is room for thousands It is no. too much to say that nowhere within the limits of this broad Union can be found @ more desirable region for the making Of home. No laborious clearing of the laud is required; it lies almost ready for the pow. Trees and slru5bcry have so rapid growth that within eighteen months the immigrant can surround his abode with attractions wcA would reqaire years to mature in less favored climates Fruits ripen and are ready for market a full month b fore the California product The bright sunshine L4akes life lu2ury and the pure, dry atmosphere 5Iiaza health to all who iuhale it. For the establishment of colonies, such we have made of Southern California arden, Arizona rr--.ut- aori,a'ea opportunities Th9u-anfs ot