The Arizona sentinel., 1896-07-04
FRUIT CULTURE.

FRUIT CULIO1tE
Fruit production throughout Arizona is sub
ject great interest at present, and VIII 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 peculiarly adapted for this branch of
agricultural enterprise. The development of these
resources is OF the utmost Importance and is at
tracing 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
zeal, of the wonderful superiority of Yuma County
over Southern California in fruit growing, and
which must lead to a large and varied production,
of the most remuncratiye character.
The Commissioner of Immigration in his report,
published in 1885, writes as follows of the rich
valleys of the ella, Colorado and calt rivers.
'The soil of these valleys is among the richest
on the continent 1t 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 oVerfows and change of channel,
the deposit OF this rich vegetable matter has form
ed a soil OF extreme fertility Near The streams Il
is dark alluvial mold, well adapted TO small
grains and grasses. Farther back there is rich
sandy loan, 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 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 a 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
a shade tree twenty-five feet high! Alfalfa can be
cut siE times during the season, and it is actual
fact the grape-cuttings have produced within eigh-
teen months, What State or Territory 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 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 scmitropic
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
ali the cultivated grasses grow luxuriantly, the
formeg 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.
"Besides the products mentioned, these semi
Ero, oil
bacco, hemp and rice. With the exception of the
sugarcane but little attention. paid to the cult
walton of other staples but it has been demonstrate
ed that the soil and climate specially adapted
TO their successful growth. Cotton-growing is no
experiment in Arizona, for it is on record that
when the Europeans first penetrated this region,
they found the Pima Indians wearing fabrics
made of cotton grown il the ella valley.
''But it is their adaptability for fruit culture
that assures to these valley lands dense popula-
tion and prosperous future. Almost every var
ety known be raised in their fruitful soils. The
apple, pear plum, peach, apricot ounce and nee
tarine, are of delicious flavor, and give gen.
erous yield. The grape of all varieties is at home
in these sunny wales. No place in the grape-grow-
ing belt of the Pacific Coast can show prolific =
yield. The quality is all that could be desired;
and the wine, although its manufacture is vet OK
perimental, is of fine favor, delicious bouquet,
and unsurpassed by any native product as table
beverage. Experiments with the raisin-grape
have shown that this climate and soil possess
every advantage for the production and curing of
this staple article of commerce.
Besides the fruits already mentioned, the or
ange, lemon, linn, olive, fig, pomegranate, and
others of the citrus family, be grown success
fully in the valleys Of Southern Arizona. Grange
trees are now in bearing in the Salt River valley
and at Yuma; while the bananas is ALSO being cul
tvated at the latter place. The Arizona orange in
quality and flavor will compare fayoraby with the
best California.
"In the valleys of the Colorado, the Salt and the
ella rivers, there is room for thousands. 1t is not
too much to say that nowhere within the limits Of
this broad Union can be found more desirable |
region for the making of home No laborious
clearing of the land is required it lies almost |
ready for the pillow. Trees and shrubbery have so
rapid a growth that within eighteen months the |
immigrant can surround his abode with attractions |
which would require years to mature in less favored
climates. Fruits riren and ere ready for market /
a full month before the California product. The ;
bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure,
dry atmosphere brings health to all who nhale it.
For the establishment Of colonies, such g. we have
mods of Southern California arden, Arizona