The Arizona sentinel., 1896-12-19

sandstones, marls. hmestones etc, mixed with or glnic and vegetable matter, washed down by the mighty rivers and have been gradually deposited during the course of centuries. The fertilizing brownish mud held in the wat Ilof the Colorado and Gila rivers resembles that from the Nile, and It's quantity varies from 0.1 to o.5 per cent, though the water when even considerably dscolor- ed by mud is good to drink, resembling in this pect the Missouri river water. A chemical analysis of the sediments of the Colorado and of the Nile exhibits wonderful similarity iH the constituent parts of each. That of the Colorado exhibiting a trifc less pOtassa, most phosphoric acid and bonade of limestone beds through which the Colo rado passes In other respects the sediment of the Colorado is almost identical with that of the Nile. It will be noticed therefore, that when this water is used for irrigation is superior to artesian waters since it is constantly supplying the land with the richestfertlizng elements The soil of the valleys is extremely rich in dedomposed vegetable matter and uncombined carbon, readily absorbing the aerial gases such especially, oxygen, which en- tering the soil, decomposes the organic matters so that they can be taken up and noursh the plants which may ne considered a leading feature in it's fertility. It also readily takes up and retains moisture, while the irmness of it's particles affords every facility for percolation and the activity of capillary action. In its mechanical composition it's particles are in state of very fine division, which renders it more productive than coarser soils It acquires heat readily in the daytime, and the loss of the heat at night is very gradual so that it re- mains always warm and Is not subject to sudden changes of heat and cold Besides it's essential con- stituents of water, organic or vegetable matter, sand and clay, chemical analysis shows that lime, soda, magnesia iron, ammonia and available forms of nitrogen, phosphorc acid and potash enter into composition in the proportions best adapted to add to its fertility, though, of course as is away the case in soil analysis, its composition varies in different localities and is not always constant
 The soi the uplands, or messs, lighter and more gravelly and in some places of tree, loamy, calcareous character. The mesa lands are warm and generous. They seem especially adapted for the grape, olive and citrus fruits generally Their soil contains more magnesis, lime or chalk than the bottom lands. It never cracks and retains moisture admirably in summer. It is of that character which will produce wine that will keep good for fifty or . hundred years, and improve annually, not being liable to sour, exposure to the air, after one year old, to become turbd and change color in the bottle or glass.
 We can safely say thst the soil of Yuma County can nowhere be surpassed containing as It does all the essential elements of richness and fertility.
 FRUIT CULTURE.
 Fruit production throughout Arizona is Q sub ject 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 enterprise. 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 convince, even tbe most skept- ical of the wonderful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing, and which must lead to large and varied production, of the most romuncrative character.
 The Commissioner of Immigration in his report, published in lSs8, writes as follows of the rich valleys 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 overiows and change of channel, the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form ed soil of extreme fertility, Near tho streams it is dark alluvial mold, well adapted to small grains and grasses. Farther back there is rich sandy loam, mellow and porous, and especially
 
 demonstrated that the productive capacity of these valleys Is not surpassed by lands of equal in any part of the United States. So rapid and prolific is the growth of the fruts cereals and vegetables that the labor of the cultivstor s reduced to the minimum. In nearly all of them two crops year can be growth, and vegetation is one month ahead of California. The farmers plants a cottonwood sapling before his door, and within the year he has . shade tree twenty-five feet high! Alfalfa can be cut six times during the season, and it is actual fact the grapecuttings have produced within eigh- teen months! 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 May his harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fruit trees are blossoming, and the grain fields sea of green, when the fields of the Eastern farmers are covered with snow and ice.
 Every variety 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. Alfalta, clover, timothy, Bermuda and AL. AL, 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 but little attention is paid to the culti vaton of other staples; but it has been demonstrat ed that the soil and climate are specially adapted to their successful growth. Cotton growing is no experiment. ia Arizona, for it is on record that they found the Pima Indians wearing fabrics made of cotton grown in the Gala valley.
 ''But it is their adapt4bility for fruit culture that assures to these valley lands dense popula- tion and aprosperous future. Almost every var- ety known can be raised in their fruitful soils. The apple, pear plum, peach, apricot, quincs and nec- tarine, are of delicious flavor, and give gen. srous yield. The grape of all varieties isa home In these sunny vaies. 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, although its manufacture is vet ex- peEimental, is of fine flavor, delicious bouquet, and unsurpassed by any native product table beverage. Experiments with the raisin-grape have shown that this climate and soil possess every advantage for the production and curing of b6iz sfopIe articla If cornn,arce