The Arizona sentinel., 1901-05-15

The following report from the direc-
 tor Of experiment station, IS published
 as giving a fair resume of the conclu-
 siCns which have heen reached in re-
 gard to agriculture in this territory:
 One of She 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 whole.
 against those excessive fluctuations in popilla-
 ton and finance which are so 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 productivencss 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 72,S00,000
 acres in the Territory only 5.700.0O0 acres are privately owned. 9f which about 450000 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 cIn 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. moro than usually good, and for
 the reason that the conditions of soil, irrigation,
 and climate combine to produce an uncOnnnOn 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 fcrtiii ty requiring only the ever-neCdful 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 I 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 sumner in the latitude of Ken lucky. From June to September the climate iS of SuDtropical fervor. while from September to November there k second mild season of tenn pcrate weather The winter season. from Nov enber to January. though subject tc sharp fTos:s i in southern Arizona. is rot seriously or even
 uncomfortably cold.
 ] Owing to this combination Of seasons re
 marll;lh}c variety of crops may be found in the
 same locality at different times of the year. ! Strawberries which flourish in Greenland. may
 be found on the same land with dates and palms i from Sahara. Alfalfa. the great forage of the ! arid West fouriShes alongside with wheat. 1 corn. and sorghum. respectively characteristic
 of Minnesota. Illinois, and Kansas. Oranges. lemons. and olives from California may be found 1 ill the same neighoorhood with peanuts and 1 sweet potatoes from Virginia. h brief, many
 of the leading crops of both temperate and sub | tropical countries which are not affected by
 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 1 tinctively temperate-regOn crops flourish tsuch ! aS potatoes, apples, and various small fruits. ! When. with this diversity of products is ! coupled a healthfu and for the most of the year ! agreeable climate. it will be seen that agricUl- l tural in Arizona possesses distinct advantages.