The Arizona sentinel., 1901-03-06

Struct reservoirs or lakes in which to receive and store the overflow There are natural basins OF dry lakes into which by simple means the water could be conveyed.
 The lands situated in and about the Gila val lev r2ay conveniently be classified as follows: First. the bottom or overflow lands; ,, slightly higher valleys, lands subject to no overflow; 3, n1csas or sloping upialdS 1, high but coTDpaf- atfyely level plains ,. mountains.
 Tho bottom lands. as well as those slightly hieler stretch along either side of the Gila and Colorado rivers for varying distances north and south. until they meet the more elevated mcSaS which rise from the valley. The bottoms lie directly along the river and are subject to inun- dotion annually. Immediately following the s,,isi5ci.ae Of the waters the local Indians were in former times accuntomed to plant corn nun, r,lzi4s melons and other vegetables. These | s7,rine into maturity with startling rapidity, rarely failing to yield beautifully without addi- tio,,al ir.rirition The custom is occasionally | followed by resident farmers to this day, with a.collaI,t results although but single crop can | he harvested. These bottoms form 2o per cent of the valley lands. and may without difficulty be secured from further invasion bE system of di!zes and levces if deemed necessary and deSir- abIe. The soil throughout the valley iS 9 rich | hrovnish yellow sandy foam. generous. mellow. norors. with a depth ranging from to D feet. the whole resting upon underlying strata of gravel end sand that readily carry from the surface such excess Of water as might otherwise nrovc injurious to seeds ard growing plants.
 Concerning the geological formation of these lands. the following from the report Of the citizens executive committee is sufficiently comprehensive:
 There is uD.nistakabie geologic evidence that all this land during some prehistoric period was covered with water, constituting in fact an enormous lake the surfaces rising in places to upper portion of the outsilirting moSaS The Sol4 lying at the bottom was made by the washing and erosion Of the surrounding mountains. inc soda fncm the decomposed vegetation. the mag nesia and lime from the magnesium forlna- tions. and the potash from the GecoinpoSing granite rocks were carried with unceasing re- gularity year by year, until deposited ln the bottom. Eventually upon the disappearance of the lake tue rich fertile alluvium, than which there k none bc3.er, was left to reward the efforts Of the modern husbandmen. But nature not vet satisfied with her handiwork, directed the accumulation Of the detritus washed from the distant mountainous region. As result the soil is extremely rich in the elements best adapted to thorough fertilization for it contains 2 certain amount of organic matter which, or decomposing furthcc enhances its agricultural value. By constant overflow and change oi channel the deposits are evenly distributed over considerable areas the process continuing throuch centuries. These soils are further en riched by decomposed organic contributions tnclUdiEg tLo saEdstCnes, marls, limeStoneS shalcs. etc. Besides the ingredients mentioned q chemical analysis shows that iron, ammonia and phosphoric acid enter into its composition in the proportions best adapted to add to it' productive qualities. The extremes Of tempera ture are somewhat greater than on the high lands. but there is also more moisture.
 The bottom lands are SO easily cultivated that it k not uncommon, after clearing the Sui face from the brush and stubble. to pass owe the ground with an ordinary cQltivator single time. afterwards sowing to grain and grass three CT four months large crops are harvested the soil meanwhile being entirely innocent c the blow. All plants seem to grow f1plaIy maturing remarkably early. Indications oI ar cient ditchCs are apparent throughout lhc Eil lev. showing plainly the existence of lrflgatiCl works by the ancient AZtecS. CuriouSly enough in certain instances. the identical routes O these long extinct people have been followed io codSideratGble distances by thclr modern sue ccSSCrS.