Arizona republican., 1922-01-01

The steadiness and sureness with
which the Salt River Valley is re-
covering from the depression of the
past eighteen months is a tribute not
only to the courage, good sense,
progressive spirit and faith of the
people Of this Valley, but to the re-
markable productive capacity of our
Valley soil, equalled only by that Of
the Delta OF the Nile in fertility.
We have learned some valuable
lessons in the past eighteen months.
First, that cotton must be made our
servant and not our master, and
should be grown only as one of a
number Of crops on the basis of con-
serving our soil fertility, providing
for crop rotation. and keeping this
section as it must be kept--a section
of diversified farming.
We have also learned the dangers
of land speculation, and the fact that
the only permanent values of farming
lands are those established by net
returns upon land, based ON the
growth Of a variety of crops.
We have learned the need Of more
intensive farming in small units. and
we have also learned the tremend-
Gus benefits that can be brought to
the agricultural producer by handling
his crops through a sound system of
cooperative marketing.
Strengthened and renewed in faith
in this country, our people are now
ready to go forward with a new stride
with the, assurance that with sound
methods OF farming and marketing
they can ard will create a perman-
ent prosperity. There are many
things that Justify this faith in the
future.
The dairy industry. once one Of
our greatest asssts,s is rapidly re-
viving. In 1920 our dairy cows were
reduced to- less than 10000 head.
During the past year they have been
increased until nearly 20,0o0 are now
reported in the Valley.
Grapes, which were one time a
neglected industry, after careful In
yestigation hav5 been shown to be
as profitabIa here as in the famous
Fresno district of California, and the
local Grape Association, now well
organized, is planning to handle in
telligently the marketing of the large
acreage coming into this new crop.
Successful truck farming here is
steadily increasing, and the mining
districts are showing a desire to buy
their produce locally. The poultry
industry is developing as never be-
fore in the history of the valley. The
Government has established a poul-
try farm at Glendale, which bids fair
to become a second Petaluma. The
Orange Association. through co-op-
erative marketing, made a thorough
success Of handling this years citrus
crop, and the grapefruit industry is
now on an established. profitable
basis.
Alfalfa, the old steadfast friend OF
the Southwest has never been for
gotten, and the Increased acreage in
the Salt River Valley in this won
derful crop, during the past year,
totals nearly 10000 acres. With the
return of alfalfa comes the revival of
the, hog industry, which, with the
location here of the new packing
house. should steadily develop into
one of the valleys most prosperous
industries.
All the foregoing Illustrates the
new drive i'm this community for di-
versified farming. With this large
range Of products 1t now becomes
evident that with the developed de-
mand for Pima cotton, this remark
able crop grown annually on from
10000 to 100000 acres, and marketed
along cooperative lines, should prove
one of our most valuable cash crops.
Through improved methods OF or
ganization the Water Users Asso-
citation is now giving first class serv-
Ice to the farmer at materially re-
duced prices. The Water Users
revenue from power for the past
season has been the best in the his
tory of the Association, showing a
net return, after paying all opera
tion and maintenance expense, of
$336,O00. Through the same i'm
proved methods of service the cost
OF irrigating water has been reduced
from IS an acre, covering an average
use of 2.6 feet of water per acre to
! the present cost of $234 per acre for
kae same amount of water.
The system of pumping and drain
a8e Installed is proving. in operation
tpfpugh- going success. The rising
MtNf table, which at one time men
A~aA certain sections Of the Valley
ia now under control, and has been
lowered an average of three and q
half feet during the past three years
M*t tNANnCAlJ - oOLlNhAinCb Il HdIU
m16let, but in this district it has
Developed methods of thrift, economy
en&fEy and modern practices in farm
inF which are bound to spell an in
creased yield per acre of farm prod
NNIE
puT remarkable system OF concrete
hi8hways, admittedly the best in any
aNflcnltural county in the nation. i:
ftBuIting in an enormous decreas,
"a the cost Of moving farm product.
10 market and is also attracting ma.
nv people to this district who ap
precfate the delights of motoring oI
3ah a perfect road system. Their,
eEery indication that we shall b,
iAlo securt such keen competitiv,
blN04ng in the completion of our roaC
eN4tsAn as to enable US not only t,
hNtlt the highways prescribed in th'
6hAnky program, but with the savint
nsale, combined with the remarkabl