The Arizona sentinel., 1896-08-01
FRUIT CULTURE.

Fruit production throughout Arizona is a 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 entorp~ise. The development of these resources is of the utmost importance and is et- 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 the most skept- ical, of the wonderful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing, and which must lead to 8 large and varied production, of the most remuneratve character.
 The Commissioner of Immigration in his report, published in SS6, writes as follows Of the rich valleys of the Cila. Colorado and Calt 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 ffonl their mountain homes in their journey to the sea. By constant overlows and change of channel, the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form ed soil of ,Ztremc fertility, Near the streams it is dark alluvial mold, well 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 capacity Of these valleys is not surpassed by lands of equal area in any part of the United States So rapid and prolific is the growth of the fruits, cereals and vegetables that the labor of the cultvator is 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 cottonwood sapiing before his door, and within the year he has shade tree twenty five feet highi Alfalfa be cut six times during the season, and it is actual fact the grape-cuttings have produced within eigh- teen months, What State or Territory can make such a showing? The climate, it must be remem- bcred, 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 blossomng, and the grair fields are 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 serni-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 are they found of better quality.
 ''Besdes the products mentioned. these semi tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar-cane, to bacco, hemp and rice. With the exception of the sugarcane but little attention is paid to the cult vaton Of other staples; but it has been domonstrat ed thet the soil and climate specially adapted to their successful growth. Cotton-growing is no experiment in Arzona 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 adaptabilty for fruit culture that assures to these valley lands dense popala tion and aprosperous future. Almost every var iety known can raised in their fruitful soils The apple, pear, plum peach, apricot, quince and nee- tarine, are of delicious flavor, ard give gen erous yield. The grape of all varieties is at home In these sunny wales. No place in the grGpe-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 yet perimental, is of fine flavor, delicious bouquet, ana unsurpassed by any native product table beverage. Experiments with the raisin-grape have shown that this climate and soil possess every advantage for th9 production and curing of this staple article of commerce.
 'Besides the fruits already mentioned, the or ange, lemon, linre, olive, fig. pomegranate, and others of the citrus family, can 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 tivaed at the latter place. The Arizona orange in quality and flavor will compare fayorably with the best California.
 'In the valleys Of the Colorado, the Salt and the Gila ivers, there is for thousands. It is not teo much to say that nowhere within the limits of this broad Union can Jo found more desirable repion for tl'e making of home. No laborious clearing Of He lend is required; t lies almost ready for tho blow. Trees apd slrrbJcry have so rapid g growth that within eighteen months the immigrant can surround his abode witl attractions vck would require years to mature in less favored climates Fruits ripen and ready for market a fuli month fore the California product. The bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure, dry atmosphc.e brings health to all who nhsie it. For the establishment of colonies, such have made of Southern California a arden, Arizona nrcsouts uurirale3 opportunities Thcpssrds of