The Arizona sentinel., 1896-12-12

of as country whose agricultural possibili- 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 paradise of bloom. Billions of gallons of that precious Auid have annually gone to waste at Yuma's very doors, but already reaction IS taking place and many enterprises gre on foot to supply the life giving waters of ahe yellow Colorado to the thirsty earth.
 RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.
 In regard to climate, healthfulness, fer tility and productiveness of soils facilities for cultivation, irrigation and abundance ot water supply, variety of resources and cheap transportation by rail and by water, no part of Arizona can surpass Yuma aouaty, which is destined to become one ot richest and most prosperous counties in Arizona.
 It lies between 320 OO' and 340 20> north latitude and ll30 2O> and ll40 40> west longitude. It contains 6.4SS, 320 acres. It pabout as large as the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware com biped. or as slarge as either New Hampshire, Vermont or Massachusetts.
 The western boundary of Yuma County is formed by the Colorado river, which separates AEizona 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 Tavapai, md on the south by Sonora, Mexico. gSs county seat is the town of Yuma.
 The Colorado river drains the entire ter ,ritsry of Arizona, and every drop ot water which falls on its mountains and plains indsits way to this mighty river It IS ormed by the union of the Green and Grand rivers, fed by the streams which rise in the Rocky Mountains, and the melt ing snows cause a greater depth et water in this river Tn summer than Tn w,nter. thus furnishing the most swater at the season when it is most required for the purposes of irrigation and agriculture,
 5 It will be seen that for theentire distance along its western boundary, Yuma County possesses the great advantage ot 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, Agua Fria, Has, ,sayampa and Salt rivers It 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 it's 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 fernia.
 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 immense tracts of lands which lie in this favored country, and which are as fertile as any in the world.
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the Colorado river at the town of Yuma and runs &hrough the county, following the generol course, and at an average distance of aboat four miles south, of tha Gila river, rendering all the lands susceptible of irri- cation and cultivation, can find an easy outlet in this way and can be transported .so all the markets and centers of population iH the East or West.
 Another competing railroad is projected from San Diego, California, to the town of Yuma. and thence along the north side of the Gila river. Thus Yuma County Will have exceptional railroad advantages.
 THE CLIMATE OF YUMA.
 The climate of Yuma for nine months of she year has no equal, as we believe, in the world, and during the remaining three months of the year, comprising June, July and August, the heat is not oppressive. Even though the thermometer in mld-sum- 7ner may a. times rise above l00', and oc- .casionally even reach ll00, yet, owing to the absence of moisture in the air, tits not oppressive. The atmosphere is pure, light and balny. When the mercury marks the highest extreme of heat, person does not feel that oppression or debility which IS ,SeIt in tbe Eastern States when the mer- .curyl is ranging from SO' to 9O'. The air is 50 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.
 TAe lands Of Yuma County comprise the river Sottozns and valleys and the uplands or mesas The bottom ands are moister and slightly mere fertile, If, indeed, it is possible to make comparisons vheIs all are so wonderfully productive and prolific. l,rhs uplands or nesas are warmer and, perhaps, tightly fer better the cultivation ofthc citrus fruits ,sc5 cQptairsa variety of scil. The ralley land