The Arizona sentinel., 1901-03-06

The following report from the direc- ter Of the experint 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 a settled population and certain sources of wealth. insure the Territory, as a whole, against those excessive fluctuations in pOpula- ton and finance which are so often observed in purely mining communities. Although but 8 small percentage of the total area of Arizona is under cultivation. yet when the actual amount and pTodrctivCnCss Of these lands is considered the place of agriculture among the industries, of the Territory is very important. Arizona has and aly5Gys 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 600 acres in the Territory only 5.7G0,000 acres are privately owned. of which about 450.000 acres are under irrigation ditch. For the total amount of land under ditch. there is rot 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, and climate combine to produce an uncCmmon variety and amount of marketable produce. The soil of Arizona as is usual with the soi.s of arid regions are rich in the clements of fertiii 1 ty rcquirin" only the ever-ncedful water. skill, and industry in their management to secure | abundant returns. The fertility of cultivated soils in irrigated regions is further assured by the depositc Of silt brought upon the land with | irrigation water The problems of fertilization which become so serious in humid sections, arc l therefore of much less importance here and not to DC SC carefully reckoned with in connection with the future of cur agriculture.
 The most marked advantage in connection with agriculture and horticulture. especially il 1 southern Arizona. is the climate. From January to June the temperature resembles that ot spring end early summer in the latitude of Ken tucky. From June to September the climate i> of subtropicaI fcrvor while from September tC 1 November there is Q seccnd mild season of tenn aeratc weather The winter season, from Nov
 
 in southern Arizona, is rot seriously CT ever uncomfcrtably cold.
 l Owing to this combination of seasons q re markable variety Of crops may be found in th' same locality at different times of the year Strawberries which flourish in Greenland, ma, be found on the samc land wish dates and palm from Sahara. Alfalfa. the great forage Of th' arid Vest aouriShes alongside with wheat corn. and sorghum. respectively characteEiSti of Minnesota. Illinois and EansaS. Oranges lemons. and olives from California may hc foIn' in the same nei@hooThcod with peanuts an' sweet potatoes from Virginia. h brief, man, of the leading crops of both temperate and sut tropical countries, which are not affected b. a tco arid atmosphere or by the frosts of winte! flourish in southern Arizona. In northern Ari zona. where the temperatures more rcNer DL those Of northern Illinois, many of the more di'
 tinctfyely tcrnperatc-region crops flourish. sue
 as potatoes. apples, and various small fruits.
 When. with this diversity of product:; ]
 coupled q healthful, and for the most Of the yea
 agrce2bie climate it will be seen that agricu-
 tugGl in Arizona possesses distinct advantages