The Arizona sentinel., 1897-01-09

been slowly formed by the decomposition of shales sandstones, marls limestones etc., mixed with or 1 ganic and vegetable matter, washed down by the mighty rivers and have been gradually deposited during the course of centuries T99e fertilizing | browniSh mud held in the wat tlof the Colorado | and Gila rivers resembles that from the Nile and its quantity varies from O.1 to O.5 per cent, though the water when even considerably discolor- ed by mud is good to drink resembling in this res- pect the Missouri river water. chemical analysis CT the sediments of the Colorado and of the Nile exhibits a wonderful similarity iR the constituent parts of each. That of the Colorado exhibiting a triae less potassa, most phosphoric acid and car bonade of limestetAe beds through which the Colo rado passes In other respects the sediment of the Colorado is almost identical with that of the Nile
 It will be noticed, therefore, that when this water is used for irrigation it is superior to artesian waters since it is constantly supplying the land with the richestfertiizing elements. The soil Of the valleys l is extremely rich in dedomposed vegetable matter and uncombined carbon, readily absorbing the aerial gases, such especially as oxygen, which en- tering the soil decomposes the organic matters so that they can be taken up and nou4ish the plants which may be considered leading feature in it's fertility. It also readily takes up and retains moisture, while the fmness of it's particles affords every facility fer pereelation and the activity capillary action. In ts mechanical composition it's particles arc in state of very fine division, which | renders it more productive than coarser soils It acquires heat readily in the daytime and the loss of the heat at night is very gradual that it re- mains always warm and is net subject to sudden changes of heat and cold Besides its essential con stituents of water, organic vegetable matter sand and clay, chemical analysis shows that lime soda, magnesia, iron, ammonia and available forms of nitrogen, Phosphorfc acid and potash enter into composition in the proportions best adapted tc add to its fertility, though of course is always the case in soil analysis its composition varies in ! different localities and Is not always constant.
 The soi the uplands, or mesas, lighter and more gravelly and in some places of 6 lree loamy calcareous character. The mesa lands warm and generous. They seem especially adapted for the grape, olive and citrus fruits generally. Their so contains more magnesia, lime or chalk than the bottom lands. It never cracks and retains moisture admirably in summer It is of that character which will produce wine that will keep good for fifty c, | hundred years, and improve annually, not being liable to soar or exposure to the air, after one yeah old to become turbid and change color in tho bottle or glass;
 We can safely say that the soil of Yuma County nowhere be surpassed containing as it does all | the essential elements of richness and fertility. FRUIT CULTURE.
 | Fruit production throughout Arizona is a sub ject great interest at present, and will nc
 
 The remarkable results that have sprung from very superficial and imperfect culture has de- monstrated that the soil and climate of Yuma County are peculiarly adapted for this branch oi agricultural enterprise The development of these resources is of the utmost importance and is at tracting 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 even tbe most skept ical, of the wonderful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing, and | which must lead to large and varied production, of the most remunerative character.
 The Commissioner of Immigration in his report, published in 1ss6, writes as follows of the rich valleys of the Gila. Colorado and Salt rivers.
 ''The soil of theso valleys is among the richest On b0e COnUlne0G. lL IS IOEmSQ OI the QeLTlLub which the streams for ages have brought down from their mountain homes in their journey to the sea. By constant overfiows and change of channel, the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form ed soil of extreme fertility, Near the streams it is dark alluYial mold, well adapted to small grains and grasses. Farther back there is rich sandy loam, mellow and porous, and especially favorable for fruit culture. It 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 cultvator is reduced to the minimum. in nearly all Of them two crops 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 high Alfalfa can be cut six times during the season. and it is actual fact the grapecuttings 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 May his harvest is ready. Roses arc in bloom, fruit trees are blossoming, and the grain fields are sea of green, when the fields of the Eastern farmers are covered with snow and ice.
 Every variety grains, grasse 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 rico. With the exception of the sugarcane but little attention ic paid to the cult vation of other stspes but it has been demonstrat ed that the soil and 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 in the Gila valley.
 "But it is their sdaptabilIty for fruit culture that assures to these valley lands dense popula- tion and aprosperous future Almost every var apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, quince and nec tarine, are of delicious flavor, and give gen. erous yield. The grape of all varieties iss home in these sunny vales. No place in the grape-grow ing belt of the Pacific 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 native product a table