The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1914-10-31
MISS. MAN ON SALT RIVER VALLEY.
Experiences in irrigated Arizona Sec
tion Ranches Growing Smaller
as Cultivation Increases.


Editors Leader:-Salt River VAL
ley is located in. as the name repre-
sents, valley beween several
spurs or branches of the Rockies
The land in the valley all. to some
extant slopes to the West. although
appearing to be level to specta-
tors eye that is not accustomed to
the land and surroundings. 1t has
a fall of from Is to IL feet to the
mile from the base of the surround
ing mountains to the center of the
valley or Phoenix
CLIMATE.
The climate is clsssed as the SUBJ
tropical and ranges from cool to
very warm. Though the climate
character of this region is one of
the most important elements, in
estimating its agricultural capaci~
ties and possibilities, the compiIa-
tion of the climate data has gone
on rapidly and with not much diff
Guilty. The number of observations
involved is so enormous the necessi-
ty for accuracy also increases the
amount of work and after the COM
pilation the reduction of the results
into a lucid form. capable of easy
reference. so suitable and impor-
tant to this locality that progress
here is very rapid. The bureau at
Washington D. e. presents COM
pilation of the data relating to the
rainfall. The climate is very mild
hardly ever freezing in winter
and having temperature rarely
20 degrees and as a rule having
winter temperature of from 40 to
70 degrees. The rainfall in this
valley amounts to from Is to 18
inches per year However, sgri-
culturists do not depend on rainfall
for their supply for growing crops.
but rather on irrigation
SOIL.
The general character of the
soil in this valley is sandy loan,
and contains all of the constituents
of vegetable life, and when given
water will grow anything that any
soil will produce in a sub-tropical
climate The soil around the town
Of Glendale is known as the Glen
dale Loess and is said to be 400 feet
deep, containing much vegetable
humus. The soil throughout the
valley takes water very easily and
does not pack and is easily worked.
PRODUCTS.
The products of the valley are va
ried. ! may mention a few of the
most important as. alfalfa, which
is cut as many as seven and eight
times during one year. Sugar
beets each acre producing 8 to Is
tons. oranges. lemons. pomeloes.
tangerines, dates. figs, apricots,
peaches, plums. grapes, almonds,
pecans, English walnuts and all
kinds of vegetables. Dairying
may be classed as one of the prod
ucts, as it is an out growth from
the great supply of pasture and
green feed of both summer and
winter. This is a great industry
here. Phoenix alone has five
large creameries and other towns
from two to three. AS regards to
dairyinR cattle the preference is
given to the Jerseys. although Hol-
stems seem now to be the coming
cattle of this valley, depending on
their large milk supply.
INHABITANTS.
The inhabitants of the valley are
made up of three distinct classes.
viz. Whites, Mexicans and Indians
The whites now outnumber the
Mexicans and the Indians. are kept
on their reservations The growth
of the country In regards to the
population has been enormous in
the last five years. Phosnix alone
increased from 5000 to $4,000.
The towns of the surrounding coun-
try of the valley have, as to their
size increased at the same rate.
Large ranches from 160 to 500 are
now cut up into smaller ranches of
from 10 to 20 acres, each with
house on it and a family all making
a good and easy living.
SCHOOLS.
Too much cannot be said of the
schools 10 Salt River Valley. Here
we have the best. The finest brick
and cement buildings, meme of them
being less than a two story struc-
ture, even in the country districts
They employ from 2 to 3 teachers
and these we have the best, the
most up to date and best educated.
The school syst en- Of Phoenix cam
not be excelIed In the last three
years, there have been built seven
public and high schools. costing
more than $500, 900. They are the
finest and best equipped in the
West in every respect.
CHURCHES.