Arizona republican., 1902-01-30
RAIN AND SNOW
Hundreds of Thousands of Dollar.
Added to the Wealth of Arizona

For the greater part of the time since
mid-afternoon yesterday a rain has
been falling that is worth n thousand
dollars n minute to this valley. 1t is
the first rain here of any consequence
since last summer. and was the one
thing most needed at this time to make
the people of this valley prosperous
and happy. With the accompanying
heavy snowfall in the mountains. there
is now a reasonable assurance of lib
eral water supply for irrigating pur-
poses for months to come.
The water supply is of so much i'm
portance to this valley that the fear of
a drouth has become almost halluc-
ination with many people. and the
minute water gets a little scarce fears
are magnified into evils that are in
large part imaginary. While the val
ley has been pretty dry for a few
weeks, this region has not been alone
affected. 1t has been unusually dry
for months all over the west and south
west. Phoenix has suffered. but not
to the extent the pessimist has imag-
ined, and no more than most places
In fact. less than many places equally
as dependent upon the water supply
for their prosperity. Year in and year
out Arizona can boast of as many. If
not more favors from the elements in
one way or another, any other sec
ton. And now that the rain has come
there will be great pleasure in watch
ing the grass grow.
The indica lions are that the precipi-
tation is general all over the territory.
in the form of either rain or snow.
There were six inches of SNOW in Pres
colt yesterday morning. and It is said
to nave showed all day. From a foot
to fifteen inches was the reported depth
last night. and the storm was still con-
tinuing. 1t was reported also that the
snow was two feet deep in flagstaff.
There has undoubtedly been a heavy
fall all over the mountains in the
north. and presumably it is raining
and showing in the east and south
east
Aside from the agricultural and cat
tie interests of the valley. il is esti-
mated that a rain of this kind and just
at this time is worth at least $500, 900
to the sheepmen. whose focks have
been brought to the valley for the win
ter. This profit comes through an i'm
provement of the range. which insures
successful lambing season. or what
might be called a 100 per cent Landing
season. as against perhaps a 30 per
cent season. which would have been
men will also reap big benefit in the
weight and quality of the mutton sold
during and al the end of good range
season. Commercial interests will nat
urally be benefited in proportion to the
prosperity enjoyed by agriculturalists
and stockmen.
Another point to be made in this
most fitting time for Arizona's self
congratulation. is the effect of the rain
on the mining interests. The dry
weather has not lasted long enough to
materially interfere with mining oper-
atoms. but the rain and snow that have
fallen will go far toward providing a
water supply in the hills next summer,
that without it would have been de-
serted by the prospector. There are
many working mines in Arizona that
are not literally supplied with water.
and that in summer time are some
times forced to close down. For such.
the present precipitat ton is new lease
of life. or rather, the guarantee OF
active life.