The Arizona sentinel., 1896-12-26
RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.

RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.
 In regard to climate, healthfulness, fer tility and productiveness of soil, facilities for cultivation, irrigation and abundance o 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 o' richest and most prosperous counties ir Arizona.
 It lies between 320 00' and 340 20' north latitude and lI3o 20' and ll4' 40, wcsi longitude. It contains 6. ASS, ,520 acres. Il is about as large as the States of Rhodl Island, Connecticut and Delaware com bi.ed, or as large as either New Hampshire, Vermont or Massachusetts.
 The western boundary of Yuma County is formed by the Colorado river, which separates Arizona from California. The county is bounded on the north by Williams Ferk 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. It's county seat is the town of Yuma.
 The Colorado river drains the entire ter rit .ry of Arizona, and every drop ct Watel which falls on i9s mountains and plains inds its way to this mighty rlver. It iN ormed by the union of the Green and Grand rivers, fed by the streams which rise in the Rocky Mountains, anu the melt ing snows cause a greater depth ot water in this river m summer than Tn winter. thus furnishing the most water at the season when it is most required for the purpose ofirligation and agriculture.
 It will be seen that for the entire distance along it's western boundary, Yuma County Sossesses 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 Frla, uas- eayampa 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. and from its eastern to its western bound aries, 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 It. natural channels by means of numerous large irrigating canals. and utilized for the purpose of retaining and irrig" ting tn immense tracts of lands which lie in this favored country, and which are as fertile is any in the world.
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the Colorado river at the town of Yuma and runs through the county, following the penerol course, and at an average distance of about four miles south, of the Gila river. rendering all the lands susceptible of irri cation and cultivation, can find an easy outlet in this way and can be transpoi ted to all the markets and centeTs of population fA the East or West.
 Another competing railroad is projected from San Diego, California, to the town of Yuma, ard thence along the north side of the Gila 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 August, the heat is not oppressive. Even though the thermometer in nnd-sum- uher may al times rise above l000, and oc- sasionally even reach il0', yet, owing to the absence of moisture in the air, Is not oppressive. The atmosphere is pure, light and balmy. When the mercury marks the highest extreme of heat, person docs moi feel that oppression or debility which selt in the Eastern States when the mer- cury is ranging iron, 500 to 900 The air Is so dry that precipitation is absori ed as soon is it reaches the surface of the body, and at no time in the summer does the heat produce any discomfort.
 LANDS AND SOILS. The lands Of Yuma County comprise the river bottoms and valleys and the upla1rds or mesas The cotton ands are moister and slightly mere fertile f. indeed. it is possible to m ke comparisons +tere all are wonderfully productive and prolific. The uplands or mesas are warmer and, perhaps, irtlz for better u cultivation of the citrus fruits