The Arizona sentinel., 1896-07-18
FRUIT CULTURE.

Fruit production throughout Arizona is sub l ject great interest a: 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- nonstrated that the soil and climate of Yuma County arc peculiarly adapted for this branch of agricultural enterprise. The development of these
 resources is of the utmost importance and is at
 tractiug careful attention. Experiments have been made, with care and facts in regard to the culture 1 of different kinds of fruios have been collected which cannot fail to convince tbe most skent- ical, fthe wonderful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing, and which must lcad to a large and varied production, of the most rcmunerat:ye character,
 Tine Commissioner of Immigration in his report, published in 1886, writes follows of the rich valleys of the Gila, Colorado and Calt rivers.
 "The soil of these valleys is among the richest on the continent. It i; formed of the detr.tus which the streams for ages have brought down from 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 cxtreme fertility, Near tho streams it is dark alluvial mold, well adapted to small grains and grasses. Farther back there is rich sandy lo2m, mellow and porous and especially favorable for fruit culture. It has been already demonstrated that the produ capacity ot these valleys is not surpassed by lands of equal in any part of the UniScI States. So rapid and prolific
 is the growth of the Euits, 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 Californio. The farmers plants cottonwood sapng before his door, and within the year he has shade tree twenty-five feet hieh! Alfalfa can be cut six times during the season, and it is an actual fact the grapecuttiAs have produced within eigi,- teen months! What State or Territory make such a showing? The climate, it must be ron,ei2- bered, i5 nearly perpetual summer. Snow never falls in these southern valleys. The farmer begins to plant in November and by the middle of day his harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fruit trees are blossoming, ard 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 end 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 gyow luxu.iantly, the former giving from eight to ten tons to the each year, Every variety Of vegetable raised iii tine 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- baceo, hemp and rice. With the exception of the sugar-cane but little attention is paid to the eUti vation of other staples but it has been demonstTat ed that tIle soiland climate are 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 jn tine Gila valley.
 ''But it is their adaptabihty for fruit culture that assures to these valley lands dense popuia- ton and aprosperous future. Almost every var
 ety known be raised in their fruitful soils. The apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, quince and nee tarine are of delicious flavor, and give gen erous yield. The grape of all varieties iSRt home In these sunny yales. No place in the grape-grOw ing belt of the Pacif: 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, and unsurpassed by any E2tiye product as table beverage Experiments with the raising 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, lime, 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 tb2 bananas is also being cul tivated at the latter place. inc Arizona orange in quality and flavor will compare favorably with the best Ia!it3-:is.
 ''In the valleys of the Colorado, the Salt and the CiIa livers there is room for thousands It is not too much to say that nowhere within tie limits of this broad Union can be found more desirable region for the making of a home. No la5orious clearing of the land is required; it lies almost ready for the lEow. T-ocS a-.j shrubLcry have so rapid growth that within eighteen months the ian,igrant ca.. 4-oaHd his abode with attractions yYhica would require years tc r3ur" n less favored climates Fruits rpen and are ready for market ] ', tu;I month fore the California product. Tie | bright sunshine makes life luxury, aRd the pUre dry atmosphere brings health to all who irhae it. ! For the establishment of colonies, such We have made of Southern California a arden, Arizona prcsents ppriYaled opportunities Thousands 0t