Arizona republican., 1922-01-01

Famed as the garden spot Of Ari-
zona, the Salt River Valley is recog-
nized throughout the country as one
Of the richest agricultural regions or
the United States. It's productiveness
is comparable to that Of the centur-
ies-celebrated valley Of the Nile, and
Is reflected in its land values as COM
pared with those in other parts OF
the country.
The Salt River Valley is by far the
most important agricultural region in
the state, and includes at least half
the farm acreage of the state. It's
proportion of the value of the states
farm products is much more than 90
per cent
At present there are slightly more
than 100000 acres of land under ir-
rigation in the valley, $4,000 acres
being in the Salt River reclamation
project. In Maricopa county, but
outside the valley are some 2l,OOo
acres more, consisting almost entire
ly of the 10000 acres irrigated in the
Buckeye valley. There are num-
Der of small irrigation projects, pro-
1ects now about to be begun VIII
bring the county's acreage to ABOUT
zoo, 900.
Valleys 1l99eSr iHuNsHJ
The Importance OF the agricultural
Industry in the valley is shown in the
assessed valuation figures. In l9Zu
the total assessed valuation for MARI
copa county was $135,921, ,53S. The as
sessed valuation of irrigated farm
lands for that year was $52,045,54O.
Most important of the agricultural
Industries of the Salt River valley is
- 80 MI cation
The local Pima or Arizona Egyptian
is famous as the only rival or sea IS
land and Egyptian cotton Tor manu-
featuring purposes. Despite the re-
cent general depression and unfav-
orable market conditions cotton VIII
continue to be one OF the valleys
principal industries. The 1921 acre.
age was 10000, with an estimated
production of 10000 bales.
The dairy industry, supreme in the
valley five years ago, is now regain
ing its former Importance, and in fu-
ture is expected to join the first rank
in valley agriculture. There now are
about $4,000 dairy cattle in the val
lev. & material increase over 1927
though still far below the high mark
of $4,000 head Of dairy stock in 1917.
Alfalfa a Profitable Crop
Related to the dairy industry, al
though large quantities arc shipped
ont as hay each year, is alfalfa, which
in acreage led all other crops in the
1921 season. There were 10000 acres
in alfalfa. while pasture lands to-
tailed $4,000. Valley lands are un-
excelled in the production of alfafa,
averaging five or six cuttings OF hay
q wear.
Grain also IS grown in the valley
tn a large extent. In 1921 there were
$4,000 acres of wheat, 5000 OF corn,
5000 OF oats, and 10000 Of barley,
with $4,000 acres of grain sorghums
such as milo, nigeria, etc.
Although not large in acreage, the
citrus industry is one Of the most
profitable here. Salt River Valley
oranges and grapefruit are known
everywhere, and command top prices
in competition with the California
and Florida product. The valley also
produces cantaloupes and lettuce OF
very fine quality, grapes, some de-
ciduous fruit, every variety of gar
den truck, beans, potatoes and other
crops.
Closely allied to agriculture Is the
the livestock industry Of this district.
Cattle are sent to the valley from
other parts Of the state for fattening.
Preliminary estimates on the live
stock in the valley in 1921 were $4,000
horses, $500 mules, $4,000 cattle, in
Guiding dairy stock, $4,000 sheep and
1900 swine.
Irrigation Big Advantage
One of the valleys greatest agri-
eultural advantages is it's independ-
ence Of rainfall, since all its farm
lands are irrigated. Their high pro-
ductiyeness more than pays the added
costs incident to irrigation.
The agricultural life of the valley
springs from the great Roosevelt dam
rs miles east of Phoenix. In this
huge reservoir, one of the largest in
the world, water is stored and re-
leased as required to flow down the
Salt River to the Granite Reef diver
sion dam, where 1t is turned into the
great canal system which brings fer
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