The Arizona sentinel., 1897-02-20
RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.


 in regard to climate, healthfulness, fer tility and productiveness of soil, facilities for cultivation, irrigation and abundance ot 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 ot richest and most prosperous counties in Arizona.
 It lies between 320 %, and 34' 20' north latitude and ll3o 2O' and ll40 40> west Longitude. It contains (. 6.4SS, ,320 acres. It is about as large as the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware con- bixed, 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. Its county seat is the town ot Yuma.
 The Colorado river drains the entire ter rftary of Arizona, and every drop ot water which falls on its mountains and plains finds 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 ing snows cause a greater depth ot water in this river in summer than Tn winter. thus furnishing the most water at the season when it is most required for the purposes of irrigation and agriculture.
 It will be seen that for the entire distance along it's 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 of 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' 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 its natural channels by means Of numerous large irrigating canals, and utilized for the nurnose of retaining and irrigating the immense tracts of lands which lie in thls favored country, and which are as fertile as any in the world.
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the Colorado river at the town of Yuma and runs through the county, following the nenerol course, and at an average distance of about four miles south, of the Gila river, rendering all the lands susceptible ot lrrl- patian and cultivation, can dnd an easy optlet in this way and can be transported to all the markets and centers of population in the East or West.
 Another competing railroad is projected from San Diego. California, to the town of Yuma. and thence along the north side of tbe Gila river Thus Yuma County will have exceptioaal railroad advantages.
 THE CLIMATE OF YUMA.
 The climate of Yuma for nine months of the year has no equal, as we believe, Tn 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 mld-sum- mer may aa times rise above l00', ard oc- casionally even reach ll00, yet, owing to +be absence of moisture in the air, its not oppressive. The atmosphere is pure, light and balmv. When the mercury marks the bigbest extreme of heat, person does not feel that oppression or debility which Is seIt in the Eastern States when the mer- curv is ranging from SOo to 9O'. The air Is so dry that precipitation is absorbed as soon as it reaches the surface of the body, and at no time in the summer does the heat produce any discomfort.
 LANDS AND SOILS.
 715e lands Of Yuma County comprise the rlvel ,ottoms and valleys and the uplands or mesas Tho bottom auds are moister and slightly mere fertile if. indeed. it is possible to make comparisons where all are so wondlrully productive aadp pro-ld, The upands or lnesas are warmer and, perhaps lightly for better te cultivation ofthe citrus fruits .E..-ra ennt.irsa rsrI.tY of s..n lhe valley lsnd