The Arizona sentinel., 1895-06-01
FRUIT CULTURE.

Fruit production throughout Arizona is Q sub ject of great interest at present, and will no doubt, be the principal industry in Yuma County. The remarkable r:sults that have sprung from very superficial and inn erfect culture has de- monstrated tha' the soil and climate of Yuma County are peculiarly adapted for this branch of agricultural enterp"is,. The development of these resources is of the utmost importance and is at- tracting careful 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 cpnvince even tbe most skept ical, of the wonderful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing, and which must lead to a large and varied production, of the most ramuneratiye character.
 The Commissioner of Immigration in his report, published in 886, writes as follows of the rich valleys of the Gia, Colorado and Calt rivers.
 ''The soil of these valleys is among the richest on the continent. It is formed of the detritus from their mountain homes in their journey to the sea. By constai overfows and change of channel, the depo it of this rich vegetable matter has form ed soil of ,Xtreme fertility, Near the streams it is a dark alluvial mold, we'll adapted to small grains and grasses Farther back there is a rich sandy loam, mellow and porous, and especially favorable for fruit culture It has been already demonstrated that the productive opacity of these valleys is not surpas sed by Ian Is of equal area in any part of the United States. So rapid and prolific is the growth of the fruits, cereals and vegetables that tae labor of the cutivator is reduced to the minimum. In nearly all of them two crops a year can be growth and vegetation is one month ahead of Caifornil. The farmers pllnts cottonwood saplng before his door, and within the year he has a shade tree twenty-five feet hirh! Alfalfa can be cut six times dIring the season, and it is actual fact the grape-cuttings have produced within eigh- teen mo .ths. What State or Territory can make such a showing? The climate, it must be remem- bered, is nearly perpetual summer. Snow never falls in these southern valleys. The farmer begins to plant in November, and by the middle of Nay his harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fruit trees are bloseoming, and the graiI fields sea of green, when the fields of the Eastern farmers are covered with snow 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 the acre. Alfalfa, clover, timothy, Bermuda and all the cultivated grasses grow luxuriantly, 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 they found of better quality.
 "Besides the products mentioned, these semi tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar-cane, to- bacco, hemp and rice. With the exception of the sugar-cane, but little attention is paid to the culti vaton of other staples but it has been demoRstrat- ed that the soil and climate 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 in the Gila valley.
 ''But it is their adaptabilIty for fruit culture that assures to these valley lands dense popula- tion and aprosperous future. Almost every iety known be raised in their fruitful soils. The apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, quin and nee tarjne, are of delicious flavor, and give gen yield. The grape of all varieties i, at home in these sunny wales. No place in the grape-grow- ing belt of the Pacific Coast can show so prolific yield. The quality is all that could be desired. and the wine, althoughits manufaGture IS vet ex- perimental, is of fine flavor, delicious bouquet, and unsurpassed by any native product as table beverage. Experiments with the raisin-grap 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 ange, lemon, lime, olive, fig. pOmegranate, and others of the citrus family, 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- tivated at the latter place. The Arizona orange in quality and flavor will compare favorably with the best California
 "In the valleys of the Colorado, the Salt and the Gila livers there is room for thousands It is not tco 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 land is required; it lies almost ready for the plow Trees and shrub cry have so rapid e growth that within eighteen months the immigrant can surround his abode with attractions which would require years to mature in less favored climates. Fruits ripen and ready for market full month fore the California product. The bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure, dry atmosphere brings health to all who inhale it. For the establishment of colonies such we have made of Southern California a arden, Arizona ,IaJ oF