The Arizona sentinel., 1896-12-05
FRUIT CULTURE.

FRUIT CULTURE.
 Fruit production throughout Arizona is sub ject great interest at present, and will no doubt, be the principal industry in Yuma County. | Theremarksble results that have sprung from very superficial and imperfect culture has de- n,onstrated that the soil and climate of Yuma County gre peculiarly adapted for this branch of agricultural enterprise. The development of these | resources is of the utmost importance and is at tractng 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, tbe most skept- ical, of the wonderful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing, and which must lead to alarge and varied production, of the most remunerative character.
 Tee Commissioner of Immigration in his report, published in 1888, writes ss follows of the rich valleys of the Gila, Colorado and Salt 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 from their mountain homes in their journey to the sea. By constant over1ows and change of channel, the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form ed soil of extreme fertility, Near the streams it is dark alluyial mold, well adapted to small grains and grasses. Farther back there is rich sandy loam, mellow and porous, and especially favorable fer fruit culture. It has been alrssdy 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 ruits cereals and vegetables that the labor of the cultivator 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 sapling before his door, and within the he has shade tree twenty-five feet high! Alfalfa can be cut six times during the season, and it is actual fact the grapecuttings have produced within eigh- teen months What State or Territory can make such 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, end by the middle of May ais harvest ie 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 o grains, grasses, fruits and vege- tables grown in the temperate and semi-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 luxurianty, 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.
 "Besides 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 cuti vaton of other staples; but it has been demonstrat ed that the soil and climate specially adapted to their successful growth. Cotton growing is 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 in the Gila valley.
 ''But it is their adaptabihty for fruit culture that assures to these valley lands dense popula- ton and sprosperous future. Almost every iety known can be raised in their fruitful soils. The apple, pear, plum peach, apricot, quinee and nec- tarine, are of delicious flavor, and give gen erous yield. The grape of all varieties iss home in these sunny wales. No place in the grape-grow- ing belt of the Pacific Coast can show 50 prolific yield. The quality is ell that could be desired; and the wine, although its manufacture is yet ex- perin1enta is of fine flavor, 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.
 "Besidos the fruits already mentioned, tho or ange, lemon, lime, olive, fig, pomegranate, and ethers of the citrus family, be grown success fully in the valleys of Southern Arizona. Orange trees are now in bearing in the Salt River valley tivated at the latter place. The Arizona orange in quality and flavor will compare favorably with the best California.
 sIn the valleys of the Colorado, the Salt and the Gila flyers, there is room for thousands It is not teo much to say that nowhere within the limits of this broad Union can be found more desirable region for the making of a home No lA5orous clearing of the land is required; it lies almost | ready for the blow. Trees and shrubbery have so | rspid 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 ripen and are ready for market c full month before the California product. The bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure, dry atmosphere brings health to all who inhale It. For the establishment of colonies, such we have ! made of Southern California arden, Arizona prssents us1r,vsIed opportunities Thcusards cf