The Arizona sentinel., 1901-06-12
ARIZONA. Her Great ReSOurceS---Splendid SOil---Fine Climate. Agriculture One of the Important Industries of Arizona. No Fertilization of the Soil NeceS- sary--SiIt Deposited by lrri- gatiOn Renders the Soil
 Rich in the Element
 of Fertility.
The Climate Conditions Favorable to Great
 Variety of Marketable Produce.

The following report from the direc- tor of experiment station, IS published as giving a fair resume of the cOnclu- siOns which have heen reached in re- gard to agriculture in this territory:
 One of the most encouraging signs of the times in connections with Arizona is the growth of her agricultural interests. These interests, by creating settled population and certain sources of wealth. insure the Territory, as whole. against those excessive fluctuations in popula- tion and finance which are often observed in purely mining communities. Although but small percentage of the total area of Arizona is under cultivation. yet when the actual amount and productiveneSs of these lands is considered the place of agriculture among the industries of the Territory is very important Arizona has and always will have land in excess of the water supply available for irrigation, without which agriculture can excepting in rare instances hardly be considered. Out of about 726O0,0Ot acres in the Territory only 57OO,0O0 acres arc privately owned, of which about 4oO,O0O acres are under irrigation ditch. For the total amount of land under ditch, there is not sufficient water | in all instances to insure crops; but in time there can be little doubt that the storage and development of water will lead to the successful irrigation of much more than the area under ditch.
 The future of agriculture in Arizona is, with | out question. more than usually good. and for the reason that the conditions of soil irrigation, l and climate combine to produce an uncommon ! variety and amount Of marketable produce. The soil of Arizona as is usual with the soils of arid regions, are rich in the elements of fertili | ty requiring only the ever-needful water skill. | and industry in their management to secure | abundant returns. The fertility of cultivated | soils in irrigated regions is further assured by the deposite of silt brought upon the land with irrigation water. The problems of fertilization. | which become so serious in humid sections, are
 therefore of much less importance here and not to be so carefully reckoned with in connection
 with the future of our agriculture.
 The most marked advantage in connection
 with agriculture and horticulture. especially in | southern Arizona. is the climate. From January | to June the temperature resembles that of
 spring and early summer in the latitude of Ken
 lucky. From June to September the climate is of subtropical fervor, while from September to ! November there is second mild season of tenn | perate weather. The winter season, from Nov ember to January. though subject to sharp froStS | in southern Arizona, is not seriously or even
 uncomfortably cold.
 | Owing to this combination of seasons re- markable variety of crops may be found in the
 same locality at different times of the year. l Strawberries, which flourish in Greenland, may | be found on the same land with dates and palms | from Sahara. Alfalfa the great forage of the
 arid West, f1ouriSheS alongside with wheat. corn, and sorghum, respectively characteristic of Minnesota Illinois, and Kansas. Oranges. | lemons, and olives from California may be found
 in the same neighoorhOOd with peanuts and I sweet potatoes from Virginia. In brief, many
 of the leading crops of both temperate and sub
 tropical countries, which are not affected by
 a too arid atmosphere or by the frosts of winter. | flourish in southern Arizona. In northern Ari-
 zona, where the temperatures more resemble
 those of northern Illinois, many of the more dis
 tinctively temperate-region crops flourish, such
 as potatoes, apples, and various small fruits. When, with this diversity of products is
 coupled healthful, and for the most of the year
 agreeable, climate, it will be seen that agricul-
 tural in Arizona possesses distinct advantages.