The Arizona sentinel., 1896-07-18


 is taking place and many enterprises are on foot to supply the life-giving waters of she yellow Colorado to the thirsty earth.
 RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY..
 Enregard to climate, healthfulness, fer Sility and productiveness of soil, facilities for cultivation, irrigation and abundance of water supply, variety of resources and cheap transportation by rail and by water, no part of Arizona can surpass Yuma county, which is destined to become one of richest and most prosperous counties in Arizo01.
 It lies between 32o 0O' and S4' 2O' north latitude and Il3o 2O' and ll40 40> west longitude. It contains SASS, 320 acres. It is about as large as the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware com hixed, or as large as either New Hampshire. Vermont or Massachusetts.
 The western boundary of Yuma County h formed by the Colorado river, which separates Arizona from California. The county is bounded on the north by Williams Fork and the Santa Maria river, whose waters flow into the Colorado; on the east by the counties of Pima, Maricopa and Yavapai, and on the. south by Sonora, Mexico. Its county seat is tha town of Yuma.
 The Colorado river drains the entire ter ritory of Arizona, and every drop ct water which falls oa its mountains and plains 1nds its way to this mighty river. It is formed by the union of the Green and Grand rivers, fed by the streams which rise In the Rocky Mountains, and the melt inr snows cause a greater depth of water in this river ln summer than ln winter. thus furnishing the most water at the season when it is most required for the purposes of irrigation ard agriculture.
 It will be seen that for the entire distance along its western boundary, Yuma County possesses the great advantage ot cheap water transportation.
 The Gila river rises in the western part of New Mexico and is fed by numerous streams, among the most prominent oi which are the San Pedro, Agua Fria, Has, Sayampa and Salt rivers. It flows west through Yuma County and empties into the Colorado at the town of Yuma.
 Yuma county, traversed by these great rivers from its northern to its southern, md from its eastern to its western bound azies. possesses a far greater water supply than any other county in the Territory. and far more than can be found in all Cali fernia.
 This water is now being diverted from its natural channels by means or numerous large imigaiiug canals, and utilized Tor the purpose of reclaiming and irrigating the immense tracts of lands which lie in this favored country, and which arc as fertile ss alay in the world.
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the Colorado river at tke town of Yuma and runs through the county, following the generol course, and at an average distance of about four miles south, of the Gila river, rendering all the lands susceptible Of irri- gation and cultivation, can find an easy outlet in this way and can be transpol ted to all the markets and centers of population in the East or West.
 Another competing railrosd is projected from San Diego. California, to the town of Yuma, ard thence along the north side of the 1Gila river. Thus Yuma County will have exceptional railroad advantages.
 THECLIMATE OF YUMA.
 The climate of Yuma for nine months of the year has no equal, as we believe, in the world, and during the remaining three months of the year, comprising June. July and Augrst. the heat is not oppressive. Even though tine thermometer in mld-sum- ner may al times rise above l900, and Oc- oasionally even reach liG0, yet, owing to 4be absence of moisture in tEe air, it is not oppressive. The atmosphere is pure, light and balmy When the mercury marks the ! highest extreme of heat, person does not feel that oppression or debility which Is l felt in the Eastern States when the mer- eury is ranging from 8o' to sO'. The air is so dry that precipitation is absorbed as soon as it reaches the surface of the body, and st no time in tie sumner does the heat preSuoe any discomfort.
 LANDS AND sefIS,
 The lssads Of Yuma County comprise tue river bottoms and valleys and the uplands or mesas The bottom ands are moister ana -.t'y :.-2re fertile 1f. indeed, it is possible to mike comparisons where all are wonderfully productive and prolific. The Iplands or mesas are warmer and, perhaps, Nightly for better tEe cultivation the citrus fruits zsrIeLz. nE sail The valley la,.1