Arizona republican., 1907-09-06
SALT RIVER VALLEY
 BY A LOCAL WRIltR
Extract Of an Article Published in "The Earth" From the Pen of Charles A. Van der veer.

The September ssue Oi The Earth has some very interesting articles on what irrigation has done and promises to do for the future. now the water problems are solved in the lands where water is king. The Salt River valley is given special attention with fine photos of irrigation scenes, orange groves, an alfalfa harvest. One very timely contribution is that of Charles Van der Veer on the Reclamation of the Salt River Valley in Arizona" It says in part:
 The sun doesn't shine every day in the year in the Salt River valley, but it shines 300 out of the 365. and that is one of the reasons residence and work in this irrigated section are favored.
 To the farmer who has stood the cold rains.-sleet storms, and snow drifts of northern climes, it is deemed great advantage to see his herds and flocks in this fertile valley grazing on green pasture all the rear round and requir- ing no expensive shelter to protect them. The sufferer from drought or flood. too little rain to mature crop or too much so that it is washed away. appreciates the desirability of farming in an irrigated district where the water supply is regulated according to the needs of vegetation.
 Of course. this is true of all irrigated sections, but especially does it hold good in the Salt River valley. where natural advantages combine with the work of the government engineers tO make wellnigh perfect conditions for intelligent, intensive farming.
 Much skill has been exercised in the Salt River valley in experimenting and in practical application of the results O tests since the land was first irrigated on a generous scale over quarter of a century ago. Ii was by knowledge so gained that local leaders about ten year, since started the movement for water storage. and by their action turned the attention of government en- gineers to the natural advantages of the Tonto Basin as d storage reservoir for the largest irrigation project now in process of construction by the Re clamation Service. More is told Of the Tonto Cor Salt RiveD project in detail in another part of this edition of The Earth.
 The Salt River Valley Water Users association was the first organized and approved under the reclamation act, and its form of government and oper- ation has since served as a model for similar organizations in connection with other irrigation projects. Its of ficers have at all times acted in heart lest accord with the government oi- ficials in charge of reclamation wark and nave enJOyed their fullest con fidence and cooperation in working out the perplexing problems in con- uection with the development of the project. such d state of affairs cannot nelp being an advantage 10 the valley and it's people.
 Of the land in this big valley, which comprises an area of about 350,O00 acres. it may be said that its fertility mas been proven and its adaptability to the cultivation of special crops tested WlIh commercial success. Train loads Oi cdntalOupes are sent to eastern mar kets and at a season when the highest prices prevail for that breakfast melon. The net returns to the grower this year have averaged Sl per crate for the season. With a production of from ijO to -JO crates to the acre and expenses of about $50, the profits may be e'readily figured.
 Another specialized crop is that Of citrus fruits, with oranges predominant ms in the production. Here again the favorable climate enables the grower to ship his oranges to eastern markets d full month before other sections ana receive the highest price on record for Washington Navels. The average in come Is S5- box net, and the yield varies according to the age Of the tree. reaching four boxes to the tree planted 70 to the acre.
 Date growing will in time prove prof itable, as trees are matured from an experimental orchard of twenty acres which the agricultural department of the United States government has es- tablisned in the valley.
 The olive is a profitable crop. the grower receiving up to $50 a ton for the fruit, and frequently the trees are ! r1 fal oh de.