The copper era., 1905-06-22
DOWN THE VALLEY.


 It was the pleasure of the editor of the ERA to visit the Gila valley dur ing the past week. He found the valley as beautiful as garden, and the farmers all busy with their crops. Their chief trouble at the present time is the scarcity of labor with which to harvest their grain.
 As whole the crops are not up to the average this year. The con tinued wet weather during the win ter and spring months was detri- Amept to the crops, however, the fyield is fair, taking the valley from 1end to end, but the price for hay is Now running down, but with proper management on the part of the grower, it could be held for better prices.
 The grain crop was somewhat dam aged last week by rain, and some of it is over ripe, but it is being fast cared for, and all of it will probably be in stack by the end of this week.
 This year there will be an abund- ance of water in the ditches, which is guarantee of crop during the en- tire season. Many of the ditches are still in an imperfect condition from the floods of last winter, but no crops will be lost on that account. As compared with California the ditches of the valley are crude af- fairs. In California the ditches are all cemented, which conserves the water, and when once built need no repairs. In the Gila valley the ditches are of earth embankments, and when they break or the fields are flooded, much water is wasted by be- ing turned into the public road, which is frequently made impossible and sometimes washed down, neces- sitating a considerable expense on it's repair. It would require con siderale expense to cement the ditches, but in the long run it would be cheaper, and would save much water.
 BEAUTIFUL HOMES.
 The valley is filled with beautiful lhomes, surrounded by shade trees and flower gardens. The farmers all appear prosperous. They drive good stock and tide in carriages. In fact they are all wealthy, but don't seem to realize it. They live well and make money, but like most peo-l pie they have their troubles and are not always satisfied. The valley, es- pecially around Stafford, presents a most inviting prospect for the home seeker, or the man who wishes to re- tire from business and devote his time to building and beautifying a home.
 Stafford is one of the most attrac- tive towns in Arizona. It is the home of enterprising citizens, who have not given up the idea of having the county seat located there. They have selected the court house block, and in fact it is said that they are anxious to erect new court house free of cost to the tax payers. They have one of the best school houses in the valley, and they also claim to have the best corps of teachers in the county. They have many churches, and they are we'll attend ed. The business houses are all of brick. They are handsome struc- lures, and the business men are all doing good business. The Jones hotel, a three-story brick structure, is one of the best kept hotels in Arizona. 1t is real home for the | weary traveller in land of poor hotels. There are also several other hotels in Stafford, and they are all Said to be above the average of other hotels in the territory.
 The contemplating citizens of the town were so ambitious a few years ago that they worked up boom, and for time the town contained many empty houses, mute evidences of the confidence which the owners had in the future of the valley. All this has since changed. The SUI rounding country is growing faster than the town, and today the houses are nearly all occupied, and another era of building will soon be commenced. 1
 ARTESIAN BELT.-
 An artesian. belt exists in the foot hills of the Graham mountains near Stafford which is being developed along conservative lines, by men of limited means. So far the wells are a pronounced success, but they have
 AT" AFMAHAES