The Arizona sentinel., 1896-06-20
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.
The remarkable results that have sprung from
very superficial and imperfect culture has de-
monstratGd that the soil and climate of Yuma
County are peculiarly adapted for this branch of
agricultural enterprise. The development of these
resources is of the utmost Importance and is at
tracing 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, the most skept-
ical, ofthe wonderful superiority of Yuma County
over Southern California in fruit growing, and
which must lead to large and varied production,
of the most rcmuncrative character.
The Commissioner of immigration in his report,
published in 1886, 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 detritus
which the streams for ages have brought down
from their mountain homes in their journey 20 the
sea. BY constant overfows and change of channel,
ed a soil of Extreme fertility, Near the streams it
is dark alluvial mold, well adapted to small
grains and grasses. Farther back there is ri:h
sandy loan, mellow and porous, and especially
favorable for fruit culture. 1t has been already
demonstrated that the productive capacity OF these
valleys is not surpassed by lands of equal area in
any part of the United States So rapid and prolific
is the growth of the fruits cereals and vegetables
that the labor OF the cutivator is reduced to the
minimum. In nearly all of them two crops a year
can be growth, and vegetation is one month ahead
of California. The farmers plants cottonwood
sapling before his door, and within the year he has
shade tree twenty-five feet hiqh Alfalfa be
cut six times during the season. and it is actual
fact the grape-cuttings have produced within eigh
teen months. What State or Territory can make
such a 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, and by the middle of Nay
his harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fruit
trees are bloSsomng, and 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 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 luxuriantly, the
former giving from eight to ten tons to the acre
each year, Every variety of vegetable raised in
the United States 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
but little attention is paid to the Guilt
walton of other staples; but it has been demonstra
ed that the soil and climate 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 in the CHA valley.
''But it is their adaptabihty for fruit culture
that assures to these valley lands dense popula-
ton and prosperous future. Almost every var
iety known can be raised in their fruitful Soils The
apple, peer, plum, peach, apricot, ounce and nec-
tarne, are Of delicious favor, and give gen
erous yield. Tie grape of a varieties is at hotAe
In these sunny wales. No place in the grape-grQw
ing belt of the Pacific Coast can show prolific a
yield. The quality is all that could be desired;
and the wine although its manufacture is vet ex-
perimental, is of fine favor, delicious bouquet
and unsurpassed by any native product as a 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 comr3crce
''Besides the fruits already mentioned, the or
ange, lemon, linga, olive zig, pomegranate, and
others of the citrus family, can be grown success
fuRy in the valleys of Southern Arizona. Orange
trees sre now in bearing in tEe Salt River valley
and at Yuma; while the bananas is also being cul.
tiv2-sd at the latter place. The Arizona Orange in
quality and favor will compare favorably with the
best California.
:'Iz the valleys of the Colorado the Salt and the
ella layers, there is for thousands. 1t is not
TOO mich to say that nowhere within the links of
this broad Union can be found more desirable
region for the making of home. No laborious
clearing of the land is required; it lies almost
ready fer the pillow. Trees and shrubbery haye SO
rapid growth that within eighteen months the
can surround his abode with attractions
whicl would require years to matIT9 in less f,ored
climates Fruits ripen and are ready for market |
a 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 as we have |
made OF Southern California arden, arizona !