The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-08-21
IN SUNNY ARIZONA.
The Rev. Harry Thompson Writes of the
Weather and Crops in Arizona.

Weather and Crops in Arizona.
Phoenix, A. T., August II, 1907
My Dear Editor:-It is long time
since l wrote you last, but as I had
nothing particular to write | thought
silence was better than taking up your
valuable space with matters of no in
terest to you and other old friends.
We are well on into summer and are
having some good hot weather. The
highest our thermometer has reached
is 118 degrees, this for one day only.
1t was about what o5 would be with
you, yet still easier to bear. We have
longed for some of the excess of rain
you have had, and it did seem as
though the common blessings were
not evenly distributed. However, last
week our long drought was broken by
good rain, which has greatly revived
everything, and cheered us all. The
whole valley has suffered this year
from the absence Of winter rain and
mountain SHOWS, though in few ia
vored spots four crops of alfalfa have
been cut. Fruit also has suffered; but
the melon crop has been abundant and
most delicious. Orange trees are re-
covering from the December frost, but
will bear little fruit this year; so if you
see Arizona oranges advertised this
year you may know they come from
some other place and are sailing under
false colors. The few oranges we
have will go to New York, where they
bring the highest price. Some last
year brought as high as $3.50 per box;
these were fine navels. l should have
had large yield this year, but Jack
Frost came down from the mountains
and nipped all the fruit bearing wood,
which ruined this years crop. We
are very thankful, however, that the
trees are making a most vigorous
growth for another year. This hot
weather is very essential to good
growth of the orange tree. It is what
makes the Arizona oranges SO superior
in ineness and flavor.
With two exceptions our nights have
been pleasantly cool, which makes
outdoor sleeping charmingly delightful
and refreshing. We are often 1ured to
sleep by strains of music from a fine
gramaphone belonging to one of our
neighbors half mile away. The dis
lance is just enough to subdue all the
harshness and unnatnralness in the
instrument, and all the sweetness of
the familiar airs is waited by the gen
tie breezes over the orchards to us and
others.
| have been greatly interested in
some of my old boys and girls who did
so we'll in their school work. Would
that could have accepted the invita-
tions to the Commencement exercises.
But, alas! Mr.. Editor-distance and a
hundred dollars were a most effectual
barrier. Yet I can assure you and
them, these thoughtful courtesies were
none the less appreciated by both Mrs.
Thompson and myself. Ishal1 hope to
hear good things of them in the future.
Kenosha has reason to be proud Of
her golf prodigy. / should like to step
into your club house at some of those
delightful evenings you have there to
shake hands with old time friends.
Perhaps may when come East with
my first train load of oranges. It may
seem strange to you, but our golf sea
son is from October LIST to May 1st, the
winter months. They have fine
grounds, an artistic club house, sided
with slabs of Norway pine-quite a
unique and rustic building.
Now | must close with good wishes
to you and all. H. THOMPSON.