The Arizona sentinel., 1902-08-13

The following report from the direc- tor of experiment 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 a settled population and certain sources of wealth insure the Territory, as 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 yes when the actual amount and productivenesS Of these lands iS considered the place of agriculture among the industrei 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 72,800,000 acres in the Territory only 5,7OO,0O0 acres are privately owned, of which about 45O,O0O 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 watcrwill 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. Tn, 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.
 | Q Owing to this combination of seasons a re marlable 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. fiouriSheS 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 l 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 1 coupled healthful. and for the most of the year
 agreeable. climate it will be seen that agricul
 tural in Arizona possesses distinct advantages