Graham guardian., 1896-02-07
Graham
County
A Few Facts Concerning the Most
Fertile Valley of the South
West.
OUR MINERAL WEALTH
Is Unsurpassed Both in Richness and
| Quantity. Through the art of Irri-
CATION a Large Portion of our
County has Become
| Perfect Garden.

of 1881. 1t has been but little
known, owing to its isolated situa-
ton, up to 1894, when the ella
Valley, Globe & Northern railroad
was built from the Southern Pa
cifc road, at Bowie, into the county.
At this writing 1t has its terminus
at Thomas, but is pushing ahead,
with the rich mining district OF
Globe, in ella county, for its OBJ
iective point. This road traverses
the valley of the ella, which com
prises the largest and best tract of
agricultural land in The eastern
part of the Territory.
The area of the county approxi-
mates 1000 square miles. 1t is all
at an elevation Of more than $500
feet above sea level, which secures
il from the burning heats exper-
fenced in the lower valleys to the
west. Its surface is diversified by
rolling hills, precipitous and rug
ged mountain ranges. elevated pla-
teaus and valleys, all producing
nutritious grasses fairly well in
seasons of average rain fall, and af-
fording good pasturage for a
reasonable amount of stock.
The agricultural development is
as yet confined to the rich alluvial
soils of the river valleys, as water
for irrigation is cheaply and abun-
dainty diverted from the running
streams Here the proper system
of water appropriation has been
followed, The owners of the land
cooperate and build and own the
canals that supply their land with
the necessary water, each farmer
paying his pro rata of the expense
attending the keeping up of the
bitches and distribution of water
Land and water here go togeth
er. When one buys a farm here
he gets certain amount ofinterest
in a dith that supplies his land.
The range of crops includes al
kinds of small grain, corn and cot
ton, Irish and sweet potatoes, and
all root crops, in fact everything
grown in the most favored spots il
the temperate zone. The capacity
of our irrigated lands for fruits has
not beenss tested except in a desul
tory way, each farmer having {
small general orchard, but results
point to agreat future for horticul
ture. The prune, apple, pear anC
peach reach great size and perfec
ton here. The seedlings produced
seldom fail to equal IN size anC
quality the grated varieties. Some
Of the semitropical fruits do well
such as figs, pomegranates, anC
tender varieties Of grapes. 1t il
doubtful if citrus fruit can be large
ly cultivated,
We do not claim to produce
fruits six weeks earlier than Cali
fornia or any other place. But W.
| get them in proper season, of th'
finest quality and so abundantly
that they can be put in the mark
cts in as good condition and al
cheaply and proftably perhaps al
in any portion Of the Union; wher
sach business is intetligently pur
SIZED, What will perhaps most in
tcrest our readers outside of tn,
county will be the opportunitie
here afforded for those desiring
new homes, actuated by climati,
or the many other reasons which
cause a desire to change.
| There is but little chance to tak'
land under the Homestead or othe,
acts, where water for irrigation i
easily obtainable, but the price o
the best improved lands with frs
class water rights can, as yet, b'
purchased at reasonable rates, a
compared with many sections, no
com bining the advantages founC
here, very cheap rates.
| Our highest mountain peak
touch the regions of almost per
petual snow, affording delightful
retreats from the heat Of summer
and perfectly accessible in a few
hours drive.
| We believe our county has mad,
as good progress in all material de
velopment as any portion of th,
Territory, and iG is based on tina
best of security, agriculture anC
great mineral deposits of we'll de
fined and permanent character
well managed and sure producers
To the intending settler we car
offer good schools, daily mails
good markets and good society
To those who first take advantage
of the opportunities herein out
lined will accrue the chance fol
best and most profitable invest
ment.
We shall from time to time de
vote space to the further elabora
tion of facts concerning Graham
lconntv without exag0eration OF