Arizona republican., 1898-06-17
THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM

1, THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM. z It Is Well Kept and We'll Worthy of a
 Visit
 The agricultural experimental sta . tion is situated about three miles from t Phoenix on Grand avenue It occu- pies triangular shaped piece of land l embracing about forty-five acres. The soil is a sandy loam. The growth l would indicate that it is admirably l adapted for the great variety of cul-
 ture expected from the objects in view.
 Forty miners inches of water are ade- , Quate for the premises, which are mainly set out in. fruit There are seventy apricot trees, embracing eighteen varieties, mostly set out in
 1891. They are healthy and thrifty.
 The names of those which have given
 best results are the Blenheim, Hens
 Kirke, Moorpark, Royal, Kaisha, Peach, Biard, Montgainst and Cullin' S
 Early Of almonds, there are twenty
 two trees and thirteen varieties
 While all bear well, quite up to the California standard of excellence,
 showing that they would be equally P reliable in this section. no single va r1ety is noted as of especial merit Or apples there are sixty-eight trees of forty-nine varieties The names 1 indicate good selection from the north l ern, central and southern sections of the country. All the trees have healthy, vigorous appearance in fruit ing. The following are noteworthy. Fall Pippin, Early Red June of the }crab, the Alexander and Transcendent Unfortunately the records Of the sta- tion are deficient as to this and other portions of the orchards
 ] There are but three cherry trees of 1 Bauman's May variety. They fruit well.
 In Quinces there are seven varieties, the Champion leading: all others in quantity and quality of fruit All, however, seem adapted to profitable culture.
 Of figs, there are sixty-four trees of ] thlFty-One varieties, of which the Brown Turkey and Brown Ischia take the lead in quantity and quality of fruit. Many of the trees have died in this section of the orchard, apparently from insufficient water, as there is no evidence of disease
 There are 129 peach trees of eighty [ tone varieties, all in vigorous, healthy growth. Those noted as of superior merit are the Alexander, ripening May | 30, yielding 200 pounds to the tree, 5 years old. The Buske ripened May l28, the Waterlool May 30. Of the late varieties the Solway, Heath Amsden, large White Cling and Crawfords late 1 are rated as leaders. Picquet's late is noted as doing exceptionally well. There are only two nectarines of the Golden variety. They look as well as the peaches.
 One hundred and twenty nine trees constitute the plum and prune or chard, in which there are fifty-six va frieties- Health and Vigor character ize the growth. The earliest fruiting plum. The Red Nogote yields 200 mum Bonum Dawson, Satsuma, Hatan- kio and Early Golden are especially noteworthy. Rivers Early prolific has record of 100 pounds to the tree. In pomegranates there are only two, the Purple Shell and the Lemon. | In the pear orchard there are sev- enty-two trees of forty-four varieties, in the same good condition which characterizes the other growth. Of the pears the Madeline is noted, ripen- ing June 5. Keifer's Hybrid is very prolific, good market variety; the La Conte, Clapp's Favorite, Winter Nellis and Patrick Barry are ranked as pre- miers. The Bartlett stands as high as in California as producer. There are only two walnut trees of the California black variety, and two persimmon.
 Twenty mulberry trees are divided between the Persian sour and the Russian.
 ] The vineyard contains eighty va trieties of grapes. Especial attention ] does not seem to have been devoted 1 to them Strong growth attests the 1 ladaptability to both soil and climate. The varieties ranking best are Thomp- son Seedless, Sultana, Muscat of AL exandria, Black Melrose, Zinfandel Lady Downing, Niagara, Isabella, Black Morocco and Rose of Peru.
 In the garden the Arizona everbear- ing is the only strawberry Its mer- it's are widely known. Crandalrs is
 the sole variety of blackberry. It fruits we'll. Among the watermelons, Kolb's Gem, Florida Favorite and the
 Rattlesnake rank in the order named.
 Of muskmellons, the large Hacken-
 sack, a northern variety, is the most prolific, and takes kindly to the hot season.
 There are nine date palms, thrifty
 looking, with no record as to their yield.
 Twelve varieties of the eucalyptus
 tree have been tried Only two seem
 to be a success. These, with silver
 maple and honey locust, comprise the forest trees.
 A very successful test has been made in wheat. Jones' winter. Rus
 sian variety, gives very heavy yield
 Of an exceptionally large, plump berry.