The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-14
F.L-lI .uLLr-L-

Fruit production tLyoashout Arizona is sub iect great interest at present, and Will DC doubt, be the principal industry in Yuma County The remarkable results that have sprunr from very superficial and img gerfe1t culture has de- .nonStratod that the soil and climate of Yuma County are peculiarly adapted for this branch of agricultural enterprise. The development of these resources is of the utmost importance ard is at tracing careful attention. Experiments have been made, with care and facts in regard to the culture of different kinds of fruits have been collected which cannot fail to convince, even tbe most skept- ical, oft, Undcrful superiority of Yuma County over Southern California in fruit growing and which must lead to a large and varied production, of the most remuncrative character.
 The Goa missioner of Immigration in his report, published in SSG, writes follows of the rich valley of the Gila. Colorado and Calt rivers
 The soil of these valleys is among She richest on the continent. It is formed of the detritus which the streams for ages have brought down from their mountain homes in their iourneg to the sea. By constant overhows and change of channel, the deposit of this rich vegetable matter has form ed soil of txtreme fertility, Near the streams it is dark siluvial mold, we'll 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 aEd vegetables that the labor Of the cultivator is red1ccd to the minimum. In nearly all of them two crops year can be growth, and vegetation is one month ahead of California. The farmers plants a cottonwood saplng bcforehis door, and within the year he has a shade tree twenty-five feet high! Alfalfa bt cut six times during the season, and it is actua fact the grape-cuttings have produced within eigh teen months What State Territory make such showing? The climate, it must be remem bered, is nearly perpetual summer. Snow neve falls in these southern valleys. The farmer begin to plant in November, and by the middle of Va! lis har rest is ready. Roses are in bloom, frui trees are blossoming and the grain fields re a SC; of green, when the fields of the Eastern farmer are covered with snow and ice.
 Every variety gIins grasses, fruits and vege tables grown in the temperate and seaIi-tropi zones can be produced in the valleys of Arizona Wheat corn barley, oats ard all the smaii grain give yield of from twenty-five to fifty bushels t the acre. Alfalfa clover, timothy, Bermuda an all the cultivated grasses grow luxuriantly, tn former giving from eight to ten tons to the acr each year, Every variety of vegetable raised i the United States can be grown in Arizona, an nowhere are they found better quality.
 'Bes;des the products mentioned, these semi tropical valleys produce cotton, sugar-cane, to bacco, hemp and rice With the exception of tn sugar-canc but little attention is paid to the cult vation of other staples; but it has been demonstra ed that the soil and climate are specially adapte to their successful growth. Cotton-growing is Il experiment in Arizona. for it is on record ths when the Europeans first penetrated this regiol they found the Pima Indians wearing fabric made of ton grown in the Gila valley.
 ''BEt it is their adaptabilIty for fruit cultui thaS assures to these valley lands dense popula ton and apgosperous future. Almost every val iety known can be raised in their fruitful soils. I'll apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, qUince and ne tarine, are of delicious flavor, and give gel erous yield. The grape of all varieties ia hon in these sunny wales. No place in the grape-groy ing belt of the Pacific Coast can show so prolific yield The quality is all that could be desire' and the wine, although its manufacture IS vet C. perimental. is of fine flavor, delicious bouque and uns Irpassed by any native product as a tah beverage. Experiments with the raisin-gral have shown that this climate and soil posse every advantage for the production and curing
 this staple article of commerce.
 ''Besides the fruits already mentioned, the O ange, lemon, lnre, olive, fg, pomegranate, an others of the citrus family, can be grown succes fully in the valleys of Southern Arizona. Orane trees are now in bearing in the Salt River valle and at Yuma; while the bananas is also being GU tivated at the latter place. The Arizona orange quality and flavor will compare favorably with tL best California.
 "In the valleys of the Colorado, the Salt and u Gila rivers, there is room for thousands. It is nC too much to say that nowhere within the limits this broad Union can be found more dosrabl region for the making of a home. No laborior clearing of the land is required; it lies almo ready for the blow. Trees and shrubbery have rapid growth that within eighteen months til 3 immigrant surround his abode with attraction which would require years to natur: in less iaIO climates Fruits ripen and ready for marht a full month before the California product I'll bright sunshine makes life luxury and the pur dry atmosphere brings health to all who inhale l! For the establishment Of colonies, such as we hay made of Southern California arden, Arizon presents unrivaled opportunities Thousands acres, now profitless, be made productiv by 4e construction of irrgating ditchcs, and ther : is no investment which assures larger nor permanent returns D