The Arizona sentinel., 1896-05-16


 is taking place aHd 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 to 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 of richest and most prosperous counties in Arizona.
 It lies between 32o O0' and 340 20> north latitude and Il3o 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 biEed, 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 by 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 formed 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 ot water in this river Ill summer than III 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 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, Aqua 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 its western bound aries. possesses a far greater water supply than any other county in the Territory aod for r,ore than can be found in all Cali fernia.
 This water is now being diverted from Its natural channels by means ot numerous large imigating canals, and utilized tor the purpose of retaining and lrrigatlng the immense tracts of lands which lie Tn thls favored country, and which are as fertile as any in the world
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the f,olorodo river at the town of Yuma and rms through the county, following the oarerol course. and at an average distance of about four miles south, of the Glla rIver' rendering all the lands susceptible of irrl- cation and cultivation, can hnd an easy outlet in this way and can be transported to all the markets and centers ot population in the East or West.
 Another competing railroad is projected from San Diego. California, to the town of Yuma, ard thence along the north side of the Gila river. Thus Yuma County will have exceptional railroad advantages.
 THECLIMATE OF YUMA.
 The climate of Yuma for nine months of the 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- mer may al times rise above lOO', and oc- cosionally even reach ll00, yet, owing to the absence of moisture in the air, 1t IS not onnressive. The atmosphere Is pure, light and balmy. When the mercury marks 'he biohest extreme of heat, person does not feel that oppression or debility which Is felt in the Eastern States when the mer- cury 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 it no time in the summer does the heat produce any discomfort.
 LANDS AND SOILS.
 The lands of Tul1a County comprise the river bottoms and valleys and the uplands CT mesas The bottom ands arc moister and slightly mere fertile, if, indeed it is possible to make comparisons where all are so wonderfully productive and prolific.