Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-11

ment of agriculture the success of date
culture in this sun-kissed spot is assured,
thus adding to the avenues of profit in
which other sections of the Union may not
enter. The choicest varieties of Persian
and Arabian dates come to perfect matur-
ity, and the vast of money which
annually go for the importing of this popu-
lar fruit will in few years be diverted to
the small area of country in which the
date may be grown at home, besides hav-
ing a delicacy-fresh dates-at present I'M
known to but few Americans Estimates Of
$1,000 year profit from an acre of date
palms is thought to be conservative.
Olives grow to perfection, both oil and
the picked fruit equaling the similar prod
ucts of any country in the world
OF the small fruits, Strawberries and
blackberries have been the most thoroughly
proven. Strawberries ripen all the way
from January-and even a little earlier-to
June, and the market is unlimited. Black
berries are great choppers and find ready
sale.
In citrus fruits the mesa land separating
the valley below Yuma and that above
Yuma, and which will also come under the
Yuma project, excel The oranges, lemons
and pomelos, or grape fruit, here grown
are acknowledged to have no superior.
generally commanding from 81 to So per box
more in the eastern markets than the fruit
from other mi-tropical states, its superior
ity and eariness combining to this end.
Ripe oranges were shipped this season
October 5, lemons October 20, and grape
fruit November IL.
The best authorities are unanimous in
declaring that the Yuma grape fruit by
reason of its exceeding juiciness and free
dom from the excessive bitter which char
acterizes that grown elsewhere, is the
choicest in the world.
Lines and the famous Sicilian citron Of
commerce also command attention.
At the Arizona fair of 1908 first prizes
were taken by Yuma grape fruit, lemons.
Mediterranean sweet oranges, Bartlett
pears. egg plant, Mexican June corn. yams,
Louisiana sugar cane. pumpkins and pea
nuts. And be 1t understood that these hon.
were attained in competition with the
products of the only section in the United
States which can compare in favorable con-
ditions with the Yuma district.
From the evidence thus offered it will be
seen that Yuma valley, with perpetual
growing weather, marvelousy productive
soil and an almost lmitless range of prod
ucts. must necessarily and essentially be-
come section of small holdings and the
most intensive cultivation. Not only may
ten acres, thrifty and intelligently han
died, be made to yield a living for the
average family but the utmost independ-
ence comfort, education and competence
for old age are not too much to add to the
estimate. If personal testimony is in order,
here is what Mr.. F. E. Elliott says:
"On May Is, 1906, I bought twenty acres
of Yuma valley land ten acres of which
were in barley This was cut May % and
yielded some twenty-five sacks about fifty
bushels) per acre. August this same land
was planted to corn and averaged thirty
five bushels per acre. On March 10, 1907,
three eighths of an acre was planted to
watermelons, and from 1t 1925 worth OF
melons were sold, while from 37s muscat
grape vines 1 sold $275 worth of grapes,
the birds destroying about $50 worth"
Yuma of today with its 5000 population,
macadamized streets cement sidewalks,
modern lighting and other conveniences,
creditable business establishments, beauti-
full homes. schools. churches and excellent
society, is long stride in advance of the
Yuma of yesterday. But IL natural advan-
tages argue for aught, if there Is potency
in a perfect location. if surroundings such
as have builded the best cities of the coun-
try are of worth, then surely the Yuma OF
tomorrow must needs be the metropolis of
the great Southwest.
Situate on the navigable Colorado river.
at the transcontinental Southern Pacific
railroads crossing of that waterway; south
ern gateway to California; objective point
of a railroad building from San Diego.
which will open a direct route to the Him
liable markets of the orinent: possessed of
a water outlet to the Gulf of California and
the Pacific; center of an agricultural and
horticultural region beyond compare; head-
quarters for a mining district rivaling the
Klondike in extent and excelling 1T in rich
nhere and skies such as Italy cannot boast.
Yuma has in her own right the making of
a city of a hundred thousand, and that in
a few years.
There have been drawbacks and delays,
disappointments and failures, such as all
towns are heir to. but by and all, through
good report and i'll, the prosperity OF Yuma
has been more faithful. and the erect OF
financial strngencies less apparent than
most towns can boast. With the approach
nf nrO1Rnf
end vigor are noticeable in every walk and
every quarter Yumas future is assured.
Today there are openings for numerous
business enterprises, particularly OF man
ufacturing character. With the CROWN IN
nonulation which has already set in these
opportunities will correspondingly increase.
goodly number of cultured and wess-to-
do families attracted by Yuma's balmy
winters and the life-giving properties OF
her ozone annually come as to haven or
refuge from the ice and snow and chilling
blasts, the pneumonia and the ''rheuma-
tiz'' of north and east; but when the Deau-
ties of our climate and the health IN our
air shall become matters OF more common
information. the tide of travel Will De
regular and important social CONNER
cial and Industrial condition.
Yuma has FIVE churches-Baptist, Metho-
dist Episcopal. Christian and Catholic
The valley has four-two Methodist ana TWO
Baptist.
vouth of the town with high school and
grammar school advantages, while seven
grammar schols in the valley give the
rural children equal show.
There are active and fiourishing lodges OF
all the principal secret societies. such as
Masons Elks odd Fellows. Knights OF
Pvthias, Workmen. Woodmen. Foresters,
Eagles, Spanish American Alliance East,
ern STAR Pythan Sisters. Rebekahs ana
others.