Graham guardian., 1905-03-03


used in fattening cattle Fruit
growing has in the past attracted
little attention, but is now increas-
ing IN importance and is likely to
become an important industry in
this area. The growing Of early
fruits-peacbes, apricots, almonds,
etc.-is attended with considerable
risk, owing to the late spring
frosts. Apples, pIums, and cher
ries are more hardy, yield abund-
autly, and find ready market. The
outlook for the apple industry is
especially favorable. The fatten-
ing of lambs, hogs, and cattle, up
on the rich alfalfa hay and pasture
is an important industry, and when
intelligently followed is a source
of handsome profit, Raising poul-
try offers tempting inducements to
the intelligent and experienced
breeder. The general neglect of
this industry, the absence of cold
winters, and the eagerness with
which eggs and poultry are sought
in the market make this an invit-
ing opening. Truck farming is
another neglected industry which
is capable of profitable develop
ment Large areas of light, warm,
early soils occur, which with prop
or manurlng, irrigation, and cultl-
vation could be made to yield
large returns in early vegetables.
1t is believed that by the use of a
cheese cloth or canvas covering,
such as is used in parts Of Florida,
lettuce onions, cabbages, tomatoes,
radishes, and other vegetables
could be placed upon the market
the year around.
A series of important expert
ments in the culture of the sugar
beet has been carried on in this
area by the Arizona Agricultural
Experiment Station. Some of the
soils of the area are admirably
adapted to this crop, and good
average yields with u fairly high
sugar content and purity are OBJ
tanned. While the results are less
gratifying than in some Of the
great sugar beet sections of Cali
fornia and Colorado, they are suf-
ficiently promising to interest cap
ital. This bulky product can not
however, be profitably shipped ex,
cept for short distances, and the
establishment of this industry will
depend upon the erection of q
factory near the source of supply
1t Is worthy of note, however, that
growing sugar beets as food for
fattening sheep and cattle is now
of considerable Importance in other
Localities, where feeders are offer,
ing as good prices as the sugar
factories.
In the attempt to discover spec
iaI crops for this section, a trial Ct
some of the more drought resis.
tant macaroni wbeats should be
made.
In the more remote parts of the
valley marketing the crops is
laborious and expensive, as farm
produce has often TO be hauled
long distances over rough III
sandy roads. The entire area is
traversed by the Gila Valley,
Globe & Northern Railwap, but
shipments by rail are very costly
owing to high freight rates. In
this respect this portion of the
southwest is unfortunate, and i'm.
provement in shipping facilities is
badly needed.
The valley is as a whole thickly
settled. The most important towns
within the area surveyed are Solo
monville, Stafford, Thatcher and
Pima. Local markets are found
in all these places for farm and
garden produce A part of this
goes to supply the adjacent mining
camps and military posts. With
the growth of an intensive system
of agriculture, Improvement in
methods of irrigation, cultivation
and drainage, and the adaptability
of soil and climate to special crops
the Gila valley is destined TO as
sumo great Importance in the ter
ritory. The lands of the Salt and
Gila river valleys produce practi.
cally all the crops grown in Ari.
zona.
CThe end.)