Arizona republican., 1922-02-09
VALLEY OF CASA
GRA|V)E IS CALLED
GRAPE WONDERLAND
Ry Ted HeaIy, Commissioner OF
immigration, PinaI County


immigration, PinaI County
Many things have occurred during
the past year to attract the attention
Of growers OF specialized crops to the
Valley of the Casa Grande, and IN
tense interest has been manifested
in the production of grapes, partlcu-
Iarly early grapes for the eastern and
western markets.
The question as to whether grapes
thrive in southwestern Arizona mas
been settled for over a century. When
the Mission Fathers coming up from
the CITY of Arlzpe, then the seat OF
government of the Spanish domain
which controlled Mexico and west
ern America, established missions
along the Santa Cruz river; and olher
streams, they planted vines In the
CANYONS of the states Of Sonora ana
Arizona wild grapes We're found by
the explorers and thrive to this day.
The gardens of the old settlers in the
cities of Southwestern Arizona have
vines that have been bearing for
generations. When Arizola, a few
miles east Of Casa Grande, was sur
rounded by cultivated fields watered
from the Gila river, youngsters sold
grapes to the passengers of the
Southern Pacific trains, and ship
ments were made to all sections or
the country. The washing out OF
brush dams and canal litigation
proved destructive to the maintain
ing Of the vineyards of that period
Now that the diversion dam has been
constructed on the ella river these
old patented lands may again pro-
duce car loads and car loads OF
Thompson Seedless, and other Nari-
cites which will be shipped to mar
ket six weeks in advance of the prod
ucts Of the great fields of Central
California.
1t is not surprising that this section
of Arizona is just entering into the
industry when the fact is taken into
consideration that the state is young,
and ii has been only during the past
few years that agriculture has made
a practical headway In the marketing
Of crops. AS a result of the con-
struction of the Roosevelt dam the
Salt River valley, which adjoins us
on the north, has become famous as
the home Of diversified crops, and its
specialized crops such as lettuce,
cotton. oranges, olives, dates, ETC., are
securing each year tirmer footlng
in the worlds market. The great ir-
rigation system Of the Roosevelt
dam has been in operation but few
years and like all new agricultural
sections the land was first planted
to forage crops. The history of this
valley shows that grapes grown by
individual effort have been sold in
the mining camps of Arizona ana
also on several occasions nave been
shipped to Southern California where
they obtained top prices.
Credit must be given to settlers
from the San Joaquin valley OF Cal-
fornia for making the start OF the
grape industry in the Casa Grande
valley in recent years. The Selma
district of this valley is named in
honor of Selma, California, which is
located in the heart OF the great
raisin district Of that state. Settlers
put out vineyards and found that
the vines thrived and produced a
berry having an individuality all its
own when sweetness, taste, size, and
market demand was taken into con-
sideration.
Californians who are not overlook
Ing the possibilities Of this valley are
at this date breaking ground TO put
in large vineyards. 1t has been DEM
onstrated that Malagas and Thomp-
son Seedless are most prolific, al
though every variety Of grape grows
like the valley was its natural home.
The University OF Arizona has taken
a keen interest in the industry and
every effort is being made to nave
proper attention given to meet all
problems relating to correct planting
and care of the vines. Agents con-
nected with the agricultural and hor-
ticultural departments OF tho govern
ment and state are at the growers
command.
Within a very few years when the
ell, raf nPOfIF1
the large packing and shipping sheds
along the right Of way of tho main-
line of the Southern Pacific will at
tract the attention of the traveller 70
the home of one of the largest grape
producing sections in the United
States.
The cheapness OF the land avail
able for vineyards proves an attrac-
ton for the farsighted farmer and
this spring large tracts of land will
be set to vineyards. In fact, obtain
ing OF cuttings to satisfy the demand
is at present a problem, but it will
be met by the efforts Of farm adj
visers and the farm bureaus.
1t is opportune to mention the sue
cess of the lettuce industry Of this
valley. During the past year the let
tuce land in the vicinity OF Eloy, a
few miles east of Casa Grande has
produced lettuce which netted $1,000
a car load in the eastern markets.
With such chances of crop special
ization and the valley already re-
nowned for its prize winning forage
crops the future is assured to the
thrifty farmer for like all agricu-
tural sections great deal depends
on the individual and his capability
in taking advantage Of natural re-
sources.