The Arizona sentinel., 1901-02-06

The following report from the direc- tor 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 settled population and certain sources of wealth, insure the Territory a whole, against those excessive fluctuations in popula- tiOn and finance which are so often observed in purely mining communities. Although but a 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 72sOO,OO0 acres in the Territory only 57OO,OOO acres are privately owned of 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 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 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 a 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. Strawberries. which flourish in Greenland. may be found on the same land with dates and palms from Sahara Alfa.ta, the great forage of the arid West, fourishes 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 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.