The Arizona sentinel., 1896-06-27
FRUIT CULTURE.

! Fruit production throughout Arizona is q sub
ject grea5 interest az 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-
nonstgatcd 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
tractiug eareinl 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 kept-
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 rcinunoratire character.
The Commissioner OF Immigration ii his report,
published in 1888, writes as follows of the rich
valleys Of the ella, Colorado and Salt rivers.
THE soil Of these valleys is among the richest
on the continent. 1t Is formed of the detrtus
which the streams for ages have brought down
from their mountain homes in their journey to the
sea. BY constant ovcraow5 and change OF channel,
The deposit CT this rich vegetable mater has form
ed soil Of Extreme fertility, Near the streams it
is q dark aiiuyial mold, well adapted to small
|
sandy loan, mellow and porous, and especially
favorable Tor fruit culture Il has been already
demonstrated that the produ ,tive capacity OF these
valleys IS not surpassed b. lands OF equal area in
any part Of the United States So rapid and prolific
is the growth of the ruits cereals and vegetables
that TIE labor Of the cultiva5or is reduced to the
minimum. In nearly all of them two crops year
can be growth, ana vegetation is one month ahead
Of California. The formers plants a cottonwood
sapling before his door, and within the year he has
shade tree twenty Eve feet hirh! Alfalfa be
ca5 3 times during sio Season, and is i5 actual
ia,5 She l22yc Produced within cigh-
teen moths! What State or Territory can make
such a showing? TIE climate, it must be renlem-
bered, is nearly perpetual GUNNER. Snow never
fails in these southern valleys. The farmer begins
TO plant in November, and by the middle of Nay
his harvest is ready. Roses arc in bloom, fruit
trees blos-oming, and She gra.r fcl's are sea
OF green, when the fields of the Eastern farmers
are covered with snow and ice.
Every variety grains grasses, fruits ard vege-
tables grown in the temperate aHl semi-tTopic
zones can be prodnccd in the valleys OF Arizona
Wheat, corn barley, oats and all the small grains
give yield of from twon five to fifty bushels to
the acre Alfalfa, clover timothy, Bermuda and
all the cultivated grasses grow luXurilntly, The
former giving from eight to ten tons to TIE acre
each year, Every variety Of vegetable raised in
the United States can be grown in Arizona, and
nowhere are they found CT better quality.
"Bcs;des Tic products mentioned, these semi
tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar-cane, TO-
bacco, hemp and rice With the exception Of the
sugar-cane but little attention is paid to the cul.
walton of other staples; but it has been domonstrat
ed that the soil and climate are specially adapted
to their successful growth. Cotton growing is no
experiment in Arizona, for it is record that
when the Europeans first penetrated this region,
they found the Pima Indians wearing fabrics
made of cotton grown in the ella valley.
''But it is their adaptabiiity for fruit culture
that assures to these valley lands dense popula-
ton and a prozperous future. Almost every var
iety known can be raised in their fruitful soils. The
apple, pear, Plum peach, apricot quinac and nee
tarine, are 0: delicious favor, and give gcn-
erous yield The grape of all varieties i: az home
IN these sunny Wales. No pace in the Grape-grov7
ing belt Of the Pac.i. Coast can show 50 profits
We'd. The guilty IS al that could be desired;
and TIE wine, although It's manufacture is vet OK
detrimental is Of . fine favor, delicious bouquet,
ana unsurpassed by any native product table
beverage. Experiments with the rasin-srape
have shown that this climate and soil possess
every advantage Tor the production and curing of
this STAPLE article Of commerce.
''Deaide5 the fruits already mentioned, thc or
angc, lemon, liEre, olive, fg, pomegranate, and
Others OF tie citrus family, can 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.
ivated at the latter place. The arizona orange in
quality and favor VIII compare fayor2bly with the
best California.
'In tue valleys OF The Colorado, the Salt and the
ella livc-s there Is room for Thousands. It is not
too much to say tina. nowhere within the limits of
this broad Union can be found more desirable |
reyion for the making OF home. 10 laborious |
clearing OF the land is required; Is lies almost |
ready for The pIow. Trees and shrub5ery have so
rand a growth that within eighteen months the {
immigrant can surround h. abode with attractions
which would rcqnirc years to mature in less favored
climates. Fruits ripen and are ready for market
= full month b fore the California product. The
bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure,
dry atmosphere brings health to ali who nhale it.
For the establishment Of colonies, such we have
made o. Southern California a arden, Arizona
presents unriYssed opportunities Thousands OF