Arizona sentinel and Yuma weekly examiner., 1913-12-25

ENSIy OuS NuO Ids l1FCu III uHl any time at all is acquainted with tn, favorable climatic conditions and tn unparalleled productive qualities o the soil. But a salubrious climate anC a tropical luxuriance of crops does no in itself assure the growth and pros perity of the favored region. For thC success of the settler, of the commu nifty, real farmers are needed, me1 of brain and braWn, of unlimited pa tience and grit. That Yuma is am ply provided with this type of meT is one of the staple features, the assur ance of rapid growth.
 Next to this in importance is more intensive cultivation, better crops crops that may be sent to market be fore they are ripe and market able elsewhere; or of such high priced crops as can profitable bear the cos of transportation to the markets Ol the country. After supplying the To cal markets there coming into com petition with the products of unirri gated regions. This competition seems certain to bring about read justment to new market conditions in Yuma Valley. It cost more tc produce a crop under irrigation than under rainfall Consequently, unless the yields are larger, prices higher crops of special character, the margain of profit to the producer must be less with irrigation than without.
 The economic advantages of inten- sive farming, with a small acreage for each family are many. It permits mutual interest, also the maintenance of better roads, better schools and inn proved social conditions. Much of the lure of the West lies in the hope of large and quick returns from inten- sive and highly specialized crops. To one who is discouraged in the struggle for livelihood on some eastern farm or in some factory, office or store the attractive picture of an irri- gated orchard or intensive farming makes a strong appeal.
 A generation ago when the settler went into a new country he took 9 chance, and big one. Neither he nc" any one else knew whether the land on which he settled was fitted for the production of what he wanted to grow on it.
 Now, however, he may go to land which has been subjected to chemical analysis by experts; on which rain fall and temperature have been deter mined with scientific acmuracy; which has been tested by the growing of va rious grains and fruits.
 If he is going to land reclaimed by drainage or irrigation he will find that he has been preceded by Uncle Sam's hard headed capitalists who have invested gold pieces for each nickel he invests, and these capita ists know that they can never hope to get back Uncle Sam's money unless the men who farm the land are sue cessful Tn addition to this in Yuma Valley that part which has been cul- tivated has demonstrated beyond the experimental stage the agricultural, abilities.
 Some product has been found suit able for special producton in nearly every irrigation project depending up- 'on the existing climatic conditions. Practically everything grows success" fully in Yuma Valley; but dates, figs, pears, oranges, alfalfa, etc, notably so: Especially is the date palm the center of interest. One of the largest date plantations in the United States is being planted in Yuma Valley at the present time and there is hardly a rancher without his nurery of date nalms. and all climatic conditions are peculiarly favorable to successful date culture and it promises to be- come one of the leading industries of tbe Valley. The date market has never been adquately supplied in the Tinted States and for this reason, tbe date has had but light introduc- tion into the average home out ot the holiday season. This results in the distinct advantage of the rate mar ket in the United States yet to be