The Arizona sentinel., 1899-12-16

~. a:-f4- Fsait production slr.e<-5a -riaona is sub lac' Q s.9-s ute.-s. present., and wlu no doubt, be the principal industry in Yuma County The remarkable results that have sprung from very superficial and imperfect culture has de- monstratod that the soil and climate of Yuma County arc peculiarly adapted for this branch of agricultural enterprise. The development of these resources is of the utmost importance and is at tracing care;nl attention Evporiulonts have been made vi5A care end facts in regard to the culture of different kinds Of frai-s have been collected which cannot fail to convince, even tbe most kept ical, oftsy cnderful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing, and which must lead to q large and varied production, Of the most remuneratiye character.
 The Com missioner Of Immigration in his report, published in lSS6, writes follows of the rich l valley Of the Gila, Colorado and Salt rivers The soil of these valleys is among the richest on the continent. It is formed of the detritus which the streams for ages have brought down from their mountain homes in their journey to the sea. By constant oveyfows and change Of channel, the deposit Of this rich vegetable matter has form ed soil of extreme fertility, Near th4 streams it 1 is dark 2iIuvial 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 apacity 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 l 1,1 fO l,o minimum. ir nearly all of them two crops ayear can be growth, and vegetation is one month ahead of California. The farmers plants a cottonwood saping beforohis deer, and within the year he has shade tree twenty-five feet high, Alfalfa can be cut six times during the season, and 1t is actual fact the grape cuttings have produced within eigh- teen months. What State or Territory make such a showing? The climate, it must be remem- bered, is nearly perpetual summer. Snow never falls in these southeru valleys. The farmer begins to plant in November, end by the middle of May lis harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fruis trees are blossoming, and the grain fields re 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-c-opic zones can be produced in the valleys of ALizona. Wheat, corn barley, oats ard Ill 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 IuXuriantly, the former giving from eight to ten tons to the acre each year, Every variety of vegetable raised il the United States can be grown in Arizona, and nowhere are they found better quality.
 "Besides the products mentioned these semi ! o. bacco, hemp and rice. With the exception of the sugar-cane but little attention is paid to the cuti vation of other staples but it has been demonstrat ed that the soil and climate are specially adapted to their successful growth. Cotton-growing is nc experiment in Arizona, for it is record tha when the Europeans first penetrated this region they found the Pima Indians wearing fabrics made of tton grown in the Gila valley.
 ''BG5 it is their adaptabiIlty for fruit culture that assures to these valley lands a dense popula tion and aprosperous future. Almost every var ety known can be raised in their fruitful soils. Th apple, pear plum, peach, apricot, quince and nee tarine, are Of delicious flavor, and give @ gen erous yield. The grape of all varieties isa hom in these sunny vaIes. No place in the Grape-grow ing belt Of the Pacific Coast can show so prolific z yield. The quality is all that could be desired and the wine, although it's manufacture is yet ex perimental is of a fine flavor, delicious bouquet and uns lrpsssed by any native product as Q tabl beverage. Experiments with the raisin- grap have shown that this climate and soil posses every advantage for the production and curing 0 this staple article of commerce..
 ''Besides the fruits already mentioned, the or ange, lemon, lime, olive, fig, pomegranate, an others of the citrus family, can be grown success fully in the valleys of Southern Arizona. Orang trees are now in bearing in the Salt River valle. and at Yuma while the bananas is also being cul tiyatod at the latter place. The Arizona orange il quality and flavor will compare favorably with tn
 best California.
 ''In the valleys of the Colorado, the Salt and tn
 Cila rivers, there is room for thousands It is TO too much to say that nowhere within the limits c
 this broad Union can be found more dcsirabl
 region for the making of home. No laboriou
 clearing of the land is required; it lies almos
 ready fer the blow. Trees and shfub5cry have S
 rapid growth that within eighteen months tn immigrant can surround his abode with attraction
 which would require years to mature in less avore g climates. Fruits ripen and are ready for marke
 Q full month before the California product. Tn
 bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure ' dry atmosphere brings health to all who inhae It
 For the establishment of colonies, such as we hay e made of Southern California a arden, Arizon
 presents unrivaed opportunities Thousands c acres, now prolitlcss, can be made productiv
 by Ae construction of irrgating ditches, and ther is no investment which assures larger or nor permanent returns
 LANDS AND SOILS.