The Parker post. (Parker, Ariz.) 1910-1918, 1912-12-21

take and possibly to construct the
proposed one at Black Point at a
cost of not less than $25, 900, and to
construct not less than 800 miles of
canals at an average cost of $1,000
per mile, being a total of about $780,
OOO The necessary equipment for
maintenance cannot be considered at
less than $4,000.
Commercial Possibilities.
The possibilities of this valley
can hardly be realized by us at the
present time. The following is data
| | have obtained from some of our
farmers relative to the various crops
grown in the valley:
| Cotton is without doubt destined
to be one of the leading crops from
a commercial standpoint Returns
from the crop of 1911 grown under
adverse conditions, shows an average
for the entire acreage of l 1-8 bales
per acre, average weight of bale 600
pounds, price received liz cents.
The crop for 1912 was raised under
less favorable conditions than the crop
in 1911 and the returns at the gin
showed better than a bale to the
acre. Where the crop has received
proper attention a return of two bales
per acre has been received
The average for barley this year
ran 16 sacks per acre. The best field
returned %. Barley hay has gone as
| high as tons per acre
Wheat has a prospect of being
one of the leading crops, as the quail
ty is excellent, the average being
SO bushels per acre.
The returns from alfalfa shows an
average of better than 11a tons per
acre, from to cuttings being made
depending upon the pasturage con-
ditlons necessary. Hundreds of acres
are running a full two-tons per acre
per cutting. Considerable alfalfa
was threshed for seed this year
Where proper attention was given
the alfalfa the returns were better
than 400 pounds of seed per acre.
Oats are being grown successfully
the Texas red oats giving an average
return of 20 sacks per acre.
Milo maize is a very popular sum-
mer crop and will run close to 2 tons
per acre.
Indian corn is being grown very
successfully and giving return Of
40 bushels per acre.
Sweet potatoes show a higher re-
turn, tons being grown on one acre
last year, the grower receiving an
average of three cents per pound
from local trade or $42O total for
the acre.
Irish potatoes of excellent quality
are returning 100 bushels per acre.
MELONS, cantaloupes and grapes all
grow prolifically here and are high
ly favored Melons and cantaloupes
are bound to be numbered among
the leading crops, as they can be
placed upon the market at the same
time that the Imperial Valley ship
ments are being made.
Beets have been experimental with
and found to contain 23 per cent sac
charine. This, l believe, is con-
sidered high percentage
All fruits are being experimental
with and the prospects are very
bright. Three-year-old apricot and
peach trees bore heavily this year.
Vegetables of all kinds are a sue
cess. The Bermuda onion grows
very rapidly and the yield is exceed
ingly heavy. The prospects are that
this crop will be largely grown for
shipping purposes in the future, as
the net returns per acre run very
high
The people of the valley are look
ing forward to dairying as being one
their greatest industries. The first
creamery and ice plant was com
pleted and successfully operated at
Blythe early this fall
The raising of hogs has been sue
ceSsfully carried on and will be
large source of revenue in the future,
200 marketable hogs, 175 pounds each
having been raised on 25 acres and
Is acres of grain.
This is a natural stock raising
country and it will undoubtedly be
carried on to large extent in the
future.
The soil is mostly of light sandy
nature, upon which the mesquite and
natural vegetation grows abundantly,
which is Indicative of it's great fertil-
ity
Domestic water, of good quality,
can be had at depth of from II to