Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-10-07
GROWING BANANAS IN
SALT RIVER VALLEY
PLANTING is
PROVING SUCCESSFUL.
Some OF the Features of Intensive
Farming on a Small Ranch.
(Bv Forest MitcheII.l

II was not known until yesterday
that banana trees grew in the Salt
River valley This discovery was
made manifest yesterday afternoon in
a little Journey made by the scribe
east of town a couple of miles 10
the Park road. and then half mile
north To the ranch home of Daniel
Dnler There are three trees of
bananas growing in the front yard
and they are readily seen from the
road. The trees are non-bearing yet,
but within another year, or, when
they reach the age Of four years. they
are expected to bring forth good
yields Of this rich and luscious trop-
zeal fruit
At present the trees are about eight
feet high, with long and broad leaves
Of light or, peaErecn color. Mrs.
Dillcr. who came 10 the door at the
knock. said that her father. living
northeast of her house. had several
banana trees that had been in bear
ing for some time, and that the
yields were heavy and good and no
difference could be noted in the taste
and flavor from the taste and flavor
Of the same product grown in South
America and shipped to this country
at great expense.
Another evidence that the soil and
climate of the Salt River valley is
suitably adapted for the growth and
raising of tropical and semi-tropical
plants and fruits is seen in the large
group of pampas grass and plumes
standing in the same yard with the
banana trees. The grass is Of huge
and luXuriant growth, and just now
the long, white plumes are at their
hest
As the little journey to the coun-
try was made to observe and see
ranch improvements and soil pro-
ducts. further Investigations and in
quiries were made as to the extent
farming was being carried on al
the DiEer home There are six acres
Of ground upon which operations in
fruit and vegetable raising is being
done. Peach trees occupy a greater
portion of the six acres set apart
for cultivation, but then there are
many other kinds of fruits, grapes
anu NtStldDltS. ne p'dcn trees range
i'm age from three to six years old.
and all bore fruit from the first year
of their age This year the WELD
was unusually good and heavy. and
returned a handsome profit for their
care and culture In fact, the yield
from all the trees is not gathered and
marketed yet. but the work of gath
crinS and conveying to market has
been going on since the first ripcn-
ing. The peaches seen on the trees
yesterday were thick on the limbs,
and big and red and rosy. and looked
too pretty 10 pull and destroy by
eating. These are Ncrdes, but sum-
ming the peach trees up on the whole.
they are most all of the Verde vari-
ETY.. and some Of them grow to the
enormous weight of over a pound. In
the lot are clingstones and frCestones.
and they are facsimiles in taste and
flavor as the same in name from the
Verde valley.
Mr.. Diller and family live i'm a
two-story cement block house. large.
airy and roomy. and the house is
surrounded by many pretty houses
and cottages, all having something
in the growing line about them. max
ing a pleasing view in any direction
one may choose to look.