Weekly journal-miner., 1911-05-03

The following is the official re-
 port to the Chamber of Commerce of
 Dr. V. T. Cooke, late director of dry
 farming for the state of Wyoming, of
 his investigations as to the possibil-
 ities of conducting dry farming sue
 eessfully in Yavapai county:
 There is no doubt in my mind to-
 day. after my short visit in Yavapai
 county; and, taking into eonsidera- | tion such information as to precipi-
 tation and general climatic eondi- | tions as I have been able to gather from close observation and examina-
 ton of the soils in the different sec
 tions visited, but what dry farming can be made absolutely successful; {;
 provided the settler or farmer will
 be taught and made to realize the importance of properly preparing his land and using seed raised under similar conditions.
 ! Prior to my leaving Wyoming, I made it my business to secure all the data available from the United States weather observer there, rela- tive to the precipitation, etc., of Yavapai county. I was very agree ably surprised to note that you have, in this county, a great deal more precipitation than I had been led to believe.
 The man is devoid of reason who expects to raise a crop in the so- called arid or semi-arid regions with out the proper application of his intelligence and common sense in the methods used.
 Yavapai county soils are extreme ' ly fertile; easier to work and more ! susceptible to the retention of mois- ture than the soils upon which ! have achieved notable successes in dry farming in my Wyoming expert ences.
 On Monday, April 10, the date of my first investigation, I found, at Granite Siding, in Lonesome Valley, soils that. with proper preparation and cultivation, can be made to raise profitable crops.
 At Granite Siding I saw a well which produces water for domestic purposes as well as for stock The question was brought up at the Salt Lake Dry Farming Congress as to whether the government might not be induced to assist the dry farmer in the location of water. I would suggest that this matter be taken up by your honorable body with your representative in Congress.
 Proceeding to Jerome Junction. I visited NIT. Muchler's dry farm. The possibilities of raising profitable crops are well exemplifed here, inas- much as I noticed that he had a variety of crops growing, the appear anee of which testify that this far mer knows his business. He is in- dustriOus and thrifty and, undoubt- edly, will succeed.
 At the Harvey Dairy Farm, where met MT. Hankin, I was convinced. from my short interview with him, that he will have one of the best farms adjacent to Prescott. He is fortunate in having both the soil and the water, and all he requires is little time to improve this mueh-negleeted opportunity.
 Dry Farmers at the meeting at Jerome Junction evinced considerable intelligence when I talked with them that afternoon. showing they were men who understood farming well. but were open to suggestions along advanced lines, as applied to so- called dry farming. The quality of their questions proved this eonelu- sively.
 On the road from Prescott to Dewey, Tuesday, I saw large areas of lands in the Agua Fria district, which l am confident will raise pay .- GoII at Dewey proved fully that, with | out proper methods of farming, with out any preparation at all, the owner | of this land will have a very fair | crop. With proper preparation and | by conserving his moisture, he un- dOubtedly would have very large crop.
 Near by, a stand of alfalfa. nearly ten years old, indicated rapid dete- rioratiOn from neglect. Judging from this field and the information gathered, I see no reason why alfalfa cannot be raised in many portions of Yavapai county without irriga- tiOn. Of course, many may laugh at this statement. I base it on my thirty years experience. The meet ing at Dewey was crowded and the same intelligent interest was evineed.
 Near Cherry, in the heart of the several pretty orchards relieve the monotOny, notable among which is that of Mr. Wombaeher. who told me this orchard, attended .O at odd moments, had rewarded | lim handsomely for his efforts. His ; ground shows proper agricultural I 
 One of the most charming spots : nave seen in my thirty years of { Western experience is the Verde Val ey. The opportunities here, one night almost say, are unlimited for he creation of vast wealth. Here