The Arizona sentinel., 1903-02-04

The following report from the direc- ter Of experiment station, Is published as giving a fair resume Of the cOncN- 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 agricultu.al interests These interests, by creating settled population and certain sources Of wealth. insure the Territory. as whole. against those excessive fluctuations in popula ton and finance which are so ofjen observed in purely mining communities. Although but small percentage of the total area Of Arizona is under cultivation. yet when the actual amount ard p-oductivencsS 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 fer irrigation, without which agriculture can, excepting in rare instances, hardly be considered. Out of about 72.s0oo00 acres in the Territory only 5,700020 acres arc privately owned, Of which about 450.090 acres are under irrigation ditch. For total amount of land under ditch thore is Tot sufficient water in all instances to insure crops; but in time there can be little doubt tha: the storage and development of watcrw;ll lead to the successful irrigation of much more than the area under ditch.
 The future of agriculture in Arizona is, with cut 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 clements of fertili ty, requiring only the cVer-necdful water skill, and industry in their infringement to secure abcrdaHt 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 reckcned with in connection with the future Cf 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 k d second mild SeaSOnSOf tenn perate weather The winter season, from Nov ember to J 2nuary, though subject to sharp froSts in Soutl CT Arizona, is not seriously or even uncOmfortably cold.
 Owing to this combination of seasons q re- markable variety Of crops may be found in the same locality at different times of the year Strawbg rrieS. which flourish in Greenland may be found on the same land with dates and palms from Sahara. Alfa.Ca, 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. manV 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. Tn northern Ari- zOna, where the temperatures more resemble thoS" of northern Illinois. many of the more dis tincti -ely comprehension crops flourish, such as potatoes. apples, and various smell fruits.
 When. with this diversity of products is coupled a heGlthful. and for the most of the year agreeable, climate it will be seen that agricul- tural in Arizona possesses distinct advantages.