Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-12-29
Is A Booster
For Arizona

Mr.. D. Nicholson, a former busi-
ness man of Phoenix Ariz., who has
been a resident of that locality for
over 25 years, and who has witnessed
the newly admitted state and its
flourishing metropolis advance by
leaps and bounds, is in Ashland for
an indeterminate season in order to
investigate the advantages southern
Oregon affords in the way of climatic
conditions and opportunities for in
vestment. In many respects he is in
love with the southland, particularly
the territory in which Phoenix is sit
uated. 1t may surprise many of our
readers to learn of the diversity of
products, many of their either trop-
ical or sub-tropical, which are raised
in Phoenix, Ariz., that state even dis
counting southern California in this |
particular In addition to peaches, |
apricots and prunes, the territory |
about Phoenix is noted for raising
oranges, lemons, bananas, figs, |
olives and dates, while it's output Of
watermeOns and cantaloupes are
noted the country over for being un-
rivalled. Already there are nearly
200 acres of bearing olive trees in
that particular section, also several
hundred ares in oranges, principally
navels. The picking season for or
anges begins about November 1. Mr.
Nicholson confirms current reports
that the citrus fruits of the Salt
River Valley rival those of Calfor-
mia and Florida. They reach the
and command a higher price, owing
principally to their extra sweet fla
vor. Alfalfa is another great product
in that region, the cultivation of it
having received direct stimulus by
the creation of so many irrigation
- projects on a colossal scale. A con-
j servative estimate of the value of the
y alfalfa crop for 1913 is $4,00O,O00.
Sugar cane and sugar beets are also
big crops and promise to become i'm
a portant factors among the states
= resources.
From fruit-raising to ostriches and
e cotton might be considered a rather
IS far cry, but Mr.. Nicholson has figures
|. which 20 to show that from 70 to SO
per cent of all the ostriches in the
i United States are raised in the Sail
River Valley, the feathers alone from
. these birds yielding handsome re
turns, not to mention the values rep
% resented by the natural increase il
the number of birds. Egyptian cot
ton raising has also reached a sue
cessful stage beyond anticipation, tn
IL crop yielding over 20 per cent pc
le pound. 1t is considered a staple t
~ the extent that capital is being in
vested in the establishment of gir
hs ming plants on an extensive scale /
order to meet present and future de
o. mands along this line.
lg Mr. Nicholson reports Phoenix hay
ing a population of $4,000 at pres
is ent, with indication that it will dot
he BILE this number inside of five years
He states that the idea of termin
ro Arizona a desert is a misnomer. Tn
nm climate is exceptionally fine, espe'
tally throughout the fall and winte
, even though the summer month
-, might be termed comfortably warn
~ Phoenix has fine schools and church
es, miles of paved streets, and cluste
-, lights. in addition to other improve
-, ments. that would do credit to cit
'~ the size of Los Angeles. Moreove
" it is the capital of the state, and
such enjoys the prestige which sue
-. a position implies.
Asked as to his Impressions col
-, cerning Ashland, Mr.. Nicholson gre
enthusiastic 4. and readily replied
~ You have an ideal city here, an
W one susceptible of great development
Keep forging ahead on the plans a
All ready outlined by your progressi'