The Arizona sentinel., 1896-06-13

ties are pTdcGIcdlIy unllLIlIOu, NSA"S SA rounded by soil the fertility of which exceeds that of the delta of the Nile, and wanting only water to become paradise ot bloom. Billions of gallons of that precious fluid have annually gone to waste at Yuma's very doors, but already reaction is taking place and many enterprises are on foot to supply the life-giving waters Of the yellow Colorado to the thirsty earth.
 RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.
 In regard 10 climate, healthiulness, fer tility and productiveness of soil, facilities for cultivation, irrigation and abundance of water supply, variety of resources and cheap transportation by rail and by water, no part of Arizona can surpass Yuma county, which is destined to become one ot richest and most prosperous counties in Arizona.
 It lies between 32' 00' and 340 20' north latitude and lI30 2O' and ll40 40' west longitude. It contains 6.48S, 320 acres. It is about as large as the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware com bixed, or as large as either New Hampshire, Vermont or Massachusetts.
 The western boundary of Yuma County is formed by the Colorado river, which separates Arizona 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 hv the counties of Pima, Maricopa and Yavapai, and on the south by Sonora, Mexico. Its county seat is the town of Yuma
 The Colorado river drains the entire ter ritory of Arizona, and every drop ot water which falls on its mountains and plains finds its way to this mighty river. It IS sormed 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 Of water in this river Tn summer than in winter. thus furnishing the most water at the season when it is most required for the purposes of irrigation and agriculture.
 It will be seen that for the entire distance along its western boundary, Yuma County possesses the great advantage Of cheap water transportation.
 The Gila river rises in western part of New Mexico and is fed by numerous streams, among the most prominent ol which are the San Pedro, Agua Fria, Has savampa 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 md from its eastern to its 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 1t natural channels by means of numerous large irrigating canals, and utilized for tho purpose of retaining and irrigating th' immense tracts of lands which lie in thi favored country, and which are as fertile as any in the world.
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses th' Colorado river at the town of Yuma anc runs through the county, following th' generol course, and at an average distance of about four miles south, of the Gila river rendering all the lands susceptible ot irrI eation and cultivation, can lind an easy autlet in this way and can be transported to all the markets and centers Of population in the East or West
 Another competing railroad is projected from San Diego. California, to the towr of Yuma, ard thence along the north sid' of the Gila river Thus Yuma County vii have exceptional railroad advantages.
 ECLIMATE OF YUMA.
 The climate of Yuma for nine months 0 the year has no equal, as we believe, in tn world. and during the remaining thre months of the year, comprising June, Jul. and August, tAe heat is not oppressive Even though the thermometer in mld-sum nler may al times rise above lOO', and oc oasionally even reach ll0', yet, owing t +he absence of moisture in the air, it IS no onpressive. The atmosphere is pure, hgh and balmy. When the mercury marks th hiphest extrer1e of heat, person does no feel that oppression or debility which felt in the Eastern States when the mel cury is ranging from S0o to 9G'. The ar so dry that precipitation is absorbed as 500 as it reaches the surface of the body, an stno time in the summer does the hea produce any discomfort.
 LANDS AND SOILS,
 The lands of Yuma County comprise the rive bottoms and valleys and the uplands or mesas. Tn bottom ands are moister and slightly mere fertil' if. indeed, it is possible to make comparison
 where all are so wonderfully productive and prolif The uplands or Iesas aye warmer and, perhap
 0hlv for better the cultivation of the citrus fruit