The Arizona sentinel., 1898-09-03
LANDS AND SOILS.

The lands Of Yuma County comprise the river ooCcoms and valleys and the uplands or mesas The bottom ands are mOister and slightly mere fertile H. indeed, it is possible to make comparisons where all are so wonderfully productive and prolific me uplands or mesas are warmer and. perbans lightly for better the cultivation fthe citrus ruits tuna contains variety of soil The valley land or tne Gila and Colorado rivers have for the most part deep sedimentary soil of brownish, gray san1y loam, resting, in most places, upon a gray clay subsoil at depth of from ten to twentv feet below the surface, The clay subsoil forms A hard. pan which is impervious to water. These soils have been slowly formed by the decomposition of shades Sandstones, marls limestones, etc., mixed with or sanlc ana vegetable matter, washed down by the Lilshcy rivers and have been gradually deposited uurlng the course of centuries The fertilizing orownlsh mud held in the wat tIof the Colorado and Gila rivers resembles that from the Nile and ITS quantity varies from OI to O5 ner cent though the water when even considerably discolor- ed Dy mud is good drink, resembling in tbis res pect the Missouri river water A chemical apal,sis Of the sediments of the Colorado and of the Nile exniolts wonderful similarity in the constituent parts of each. That of the Colorado exhibiting a Urine less potassa, most phosphoric acid and car Oonade Of limestone 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 artesan since 1t is constantly supplying the land with the elements. The soil of the valleys IS extremely rich in dedomposed vegetable matter and uncombined carbon, readily absorbing the aerial gases, such especially as oxygen, which en- terlng the soil, decomposes the organic matters so that they can be taken up and nourish the plants "iiion may De considered a leading feature in it fertility. It also readily takes up and retains moisture, while the rmness of it's particles affords every facility for percolation and the activity of capillary action. In it's mechanical cornposition its particies are in state of very fine division which rehuerS It more productive than coarser soils I acquires heat readily in the daytime and the loss or the neat at night is very gradual so that it re- nl"lhs alWays warm and is not subject to sudden changes Of heat and cold. Besides it's essential con- Of water, organic or vegetable matter sand and clay, chemical analysis shows that lime soda, magnssia, iron, ammonia and available forms ot nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash enter into
 
 add to it's fertility, though of course as is always the case Tn 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 ,ree. Ioamv. character. The mesa lands are warm and generous. They seem especially adapted for the 5rape' olive and citrus fruits generally Their soil 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 or hundred years, and improve annually, not being fable to souri, or exposure to the air, after one rear old, to become turbid and change color in the bottle or glass.
 WHY IMMIGRANTS SHOULD COME TO YUMA
 COUNTY.
 Because the climate is perfect.
 Because the soil is fertile and prolific. Because land is abundant and cheap.