The Florida agriculturist., 1906-04-18

The soil of the Salt River, Gila and
Colorado Valleys is composed of the
alluvial deposits of centuries of ero-
sion from the river source and the
high lands contiguous to their courses.
The surrounding meSaS or table lands
were, to a large extent, at one time
submerged. 1t will readily be seen
that these localities have the advant-
age of a soil composed of ancient vege-
tation that needs but the touch Of
abundant water to spring into life.
The water of the rivers which flow
through these valleys annually renew
the cultivated soil, restoring to it the
elements that have been taken up by
the plant life, thus obviating the neces-
sity Of artificial fertilization. No
where else can be found a soil so uni
fOrmly rich in the elements required
by plant life; nowhere else can be
found a soil so easily cultivated and so
prolific under irrigation.
Climatic conditions in Arizona are
also highly favorable to date prOpaga
ton The Persian gulf region, where
most of the dates that are imported
to this country are grown, is one of
the hottest places in the world. The
thermometer registers from 100 to 12O
degrees. The hottest months are
August and September. In southwest
ern Arizona the temperature during
July and August OftentimeS ventures
as high as Ito to 115, and at Yuma
has been known to reach lis. Dates
ma ture much more quickly in such a
climate, and possess a finer flavor.
The date as a food is especially
suitable for hot climates, and has long
been the chief dependence of men,
horses and camelS in the desert regions
of Africa and Arabia. 1t has long been
a popular article of food with the
MeXicanS of Arizona. A thorough in
veStigatiOn of the food value of the
date and its adaptability to the for
nation of foods for our hot summer
season should be made. The date is
now used in the United States as a
second class cOnfectiOn, and it is more
than possible that it might be utilized
as basis of a nutritious new food.
The experiments thus far carried
on would seem to indicate that the
Persian varieties are best suited for
culture in Arizona. However, it will
doubtless be several years before the
best varieties for this country are final
ly determined. 1t seems to be the
unanimous opinion among those who
have watched this experimental work
that it will result in the establishment
of a new and profitable agricultural
resource in a hitherto unprOductive
region.
The following is from the Rural
Californian:
Date Plants on the COlorado.-The
Rural has heretofore suggested that
date plants would do well on the Colo
RADIO desert, and now comes the report
that Prof. A. V. Stubenranch, of the
Department of Agriculture of the Uni
versity of California, has just returned
| to Berkley, after spending three weeks
in Mecca on the Colorado desert, where
the university, in conjunction with the
United States Bureau of Plant In
dustry, is establishing an experimental
station for the purpose of raising
dates, figs and grapes. The station
was in receipt of 200 date plants from
the Sahara desert, which Prof. Stu
benranch had charge of planting. The
department has fifteen acres under
cultivation, half of which has been
successfully planted to dates. The pro-
fessOr is of the opinion that all the
dates consumed in the United States
can be grown on the desert, provided
the necessary amount of artesian
water can be developed.
I