The Arizona sentinel., 1899-12-09
FIUIT CULTURE.

ENOlI CObI ChGs
 Fruit production throughout Arizona Is a sub 1 :ect great interest at present., and will no doubt, be the principal industry in Yuma County The remarkable results that have sprung from very superficial and imperfect culture has de- County are peculiarly adapted for this branch of 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 the culture of different kinds of fruits have been collected which cannot fail to convince, even tbe most skept ical, oftoy Onderful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing, and which must lead to large and varied production, of the most ramunerative character.
 The Co missioner of Immigration In his report, published in lS86, writes as follows of the rich va'!e' of the G:la. Colorado and salt rivers
 'The soil of these valleys is among ;he richest on the continent. It is formed of the detritus which the streams for ages have brought dowf' from their mountain homes in their journee to the sea- By constant overAows and change of channel, the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form ed soil of ,xtreme fertility, Near tn. streams il is dark Liluvial mold, we'll adapted to small grains and grasses. Farther back there is a 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 that the labor of the cultivator is reduced to the minimum. n nearly all of them two crops year can be growth, and vegetation is one month ahead l of California. The farmers plants a cottonwood sapling before his door, and within the he has shade tree twenty five feet hph Alfalfa can be cut six times during the season. and it is actual fact the grape-cutt!ngs have produced within eigh | teen months! What State or Territory can make such showing3 The climate, 1t must be remem- 1 bered is nearly perpetual Snow never falls in these southern valleys. The farmer begins 1 to plant in November, and by the middle of 'ay "is harvest is ready. Roses are in bloom, fr'lii trees are blossoming, and the grair fields re sea of green, when the fields of the Eastern farmers are covered with snow and ice.
 Every variety grains grasses, fruits and v"se- tables grown in the temperate and e'n:i-'ropic zones can be produced in the valleys of Al :zona. Wheat, corn barley, oats ard all the s1la grains give yield of from twenty-five to fifty bushels to the acre. Alfalfa, clover, timothy, Bermuda ani 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 l the United States can be grown iP Arizona, and nowhere are they found better quality.
 "Besides the products mentioned, these mi | tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar cane, to- bacco, hemp and rice. With the exception of the sugarcane but little attention is paid to the cuIt vaton of other staples; but it has been demonstrat ed that the soil and climate specially adapted to their successful growth. Cotton n-grow;hg is no experiment in Arizona, for it is record that when the Europeans first penetrated this region, they found the Pima Indians wearing fabrics made Of .tton grown in the Gila valley.
 'BGS it is their adaptabillty for fruit culture that assures to these valley lands dense popula- | aion and ap:osperous future. Almost every var ety known can be rased in their fruitful soils The lpple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, quinoe and nee tarine, are of delicious flavor, and give gen. erous yield The grape of all varieties a home in rhes, sunny rales No place in the grape-grow ing belt Of the Pacific Coast can show prc lic a yied Tn, quality is all that could be desired and the wine, although it's manufacture Is vet ex pcrimental. is of fine flavor, delicious bouquet and uns lrpsSsed by any native J, "duct table beverage. Experiments with the raisn- grape have shown that this climate and soil posses, every advantage for the production and curing O this staple article of commerce.
 "Besides ihe fruits already mentioned, tho or ange, lemon, lime, olive, fig. pomesranate, art others of the citrus family, can be grown spccess fully in the valleys of Soutbern Arizona. Orange trees in bearing in the Salt River valley and at Yuma; while the bananas is also being cul civated at the latter place. Inc Arizona orange iE Iquaity and flavor will compare favorably with the best California.
 "In the valleys of the Colorads, the Salt and the Gls rivers, there is room for thousands. It is not too much to say that nowhere within the limits o l this broad Union be found desirable region for the making of home. No laborou: clearing of the land is required it lies almost ready for the plow. Trees and shrubi cry nave SC rapid growth that within eighteen months tle immigrant can surround his abode wi:h attractions which would require years to matur. in less i Jred climates. Fruits r;pen and are ready for mar'.et full month before the California product. The bright sunshine makes life luxury. and the pure iry atmosphere brings health to all who ilhae IL For the establishment of colonies, sucn as have made of Southern California arden, Ari1,n: presents unrivaed opportunities 1hcu.s,rds o acres, now proftless, car be made productive by le construction of irrigating dittnes an tler, permanent returns"