The Arizona sentinel., 1903-01-21
ARIZONA.
Her Great Resources---Splendid
 SOil---Fine Climate.
Agriculture One of the Important
 Industries of Arizona.
No Fertilization of the Soil Neces' sary--SiIt Deposited by lrri- gatIon Renders the Soil
 Rich in the Element
 of Fertility.
The Climate Conditions Favorable to a Great
 Variety of Marketable Produce.

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 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, as whole
 against those excessive fluctuations in popula tiou and finance which are so often observed in purely mining communities. Although but Q 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 industrei of the Territory is very important. Arizona has and always wilt have land in excess Of the water supply available for irrigation, without which agriculture can, excepting in rare instances hardly be considered. Gut of about 72S00,o90 acres in the Territory only 5,700'0O0 acres arc
 privately owned, of which about 45eoC0 acres are under irrigation disch. For Jno yot 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 waterwill 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 fertii
 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 sun .ropical fcrvor. while from September to 1 November there is a second mild season or tenn l pcrate weather. The winter season from Nov
 ember to January, though subject to sharp frosts | uncomfortably cold.
 | Owing to this combination of seasons re-
 markable variety of crops may be found 1n 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 l from Sahara. Alfa,fa. the great forage Of the arid West, houriSheS alongside with wheat t. corn, and sorghum, respectively characteristic | of Minnesota. Illinois and Kansas. Oranges, l lemons, and olives from California may be found | in the same ncighoorhood with peanuts and 1 Ot1.O from nia n m | of the leading crops of both temperate and sub | tropical countries, which are not affected by 1 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 tcInperateregion crops flourish, ISuch | as potatoes. apples, and various small fruits. When, with this diversity of products is
 coupled healthful, Gnl for the most of the year
 agreeable, climate, it will be seen that agricul | tural in Arizona possesses distinct advantages