Class. Book. E^ I .Yali Ma-irv Ca-na.!— Er\tra.nce to the Colorado River IRRIGATION LAND AND IMPROVEMENT COMPANY YUMA, ARIZ:0:NA: -^. - - - .*<. i Looking Down Canal from Headgate. consequent increase in the number of men employed. The field is one scarcely "scratched" by the prospector and miner, and I look for the opening of many new mines during the present year. On the whole Yuma County is worthy of the recognition of the people of the Territory as one of the most progressive, public-spirited divisions of our Territory. Wishing you a continuance of the success your people so richly deserve, I am, y^^.^ respectfully, Alexander 0. Brodie, Governor of Arizona. J. E. LuDY, Esq., Yuma, Arizona. YUHA COUNTY, ARIZONA. The subject matter in this booklet deals with the resources and industries of Y^uma County, Arizona, one of the richest countries and most favored lands on this continent. 4 Peae Orchard on the Judge Thacker Farm, Yuma Valley, Arizona LOCATION. Yuma County lies in the southwest corner of Arizona. It is bordered on the south by Mexico, and on the west by the State of California, the Colorado River being the dividing line. WHERE CAN I SECURE A GOOD HOHE? If the farmer or business man or capitalist is asking himself the question, "Where shall I go to enter business, or secure a home, or invest my money," we would earnestly ask you to look into the merits of Yuma County, Arizona, and especially into the advantages that are offered in the way of rich farms and good lands. LAND AND WATER. We will not qualify any statement that the richest land in the United States and the largest supply of water are both to be found around Yuma, Arizona. In the months of June, July and August when water is most in demand, the supply is greatest. This abund- ant flow is due to the snow melting in the high range mountains of Utah and Colorado. 5 Canal Entrance to Reservoir, No. 1. THE IRRIGATION LAND AND inPROVEflENT COHPANY. The Irrigation Land and Improvement Company was organized under the laws of Arizona and was incorporated February 26, 1900. COST OF WATER STOCK. The present value of water stock is $10.00 per share per acre. The shares are sold to the farmer and land owner in installments, $2.50 down at the time of purchase, and $2.50 per year until paid for. SOIL. A large volume could be written about the rich soil in the valley without exhausting the subject. The surface soil down to a depth of ten feet is made up from a marvelously rich sediment from the Colorado River. Below this sediment is a substrata of sand which carries away all salt or alkali, if any exists, and even these ingredi- ents are seldom found and only exist in spots, but where found the same will disappear as soon as irrigating water is turned on the land. 6 Stacking Hay on the Hopkins Farm, Yuma Valley, Ahizona. WHAT THE LAND WILL PRODUCE. Wheat, oats, barley, corn, rye, alfalfa, oranges, lemons, grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, dates, mulberries, blackberries, logan- berries, sorghum, kaffir corn, beans, melons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes, cherries and a dozen other products not mentioned. EARLY CROPS. Almost every species of fruit and grain that is enumerated in the last subdivision can be harvested in April and May. This is especi- ally true of oats, wheat, rye and barley, and by the middle of May every kind of berry will be ripe and ready to enter the market and at a time when the farmer can get the highest price for his products. Fruits and vegetables are ready for market at least six weeks earlier than in any other part of the Coast. ALFALFA. This country is especially adapted to raising alfalfa and seven to eight crops can be raised on the lands in one year with a yield of 7 ^ifif4y(' awti> CciRN ON THE T. A. Jordan Farm, Vtma \'ali,ev, Arizona. ten to twelve tons to the acre with a market price of $10.00 to $15.00 per ton. This alfalfa land also affords good pasture for at least four months of the year. AS A STOCK COUNTRY. Horses, hogs and cattle are leaders in the stock industry. Here they escape rainy weather, storms, blizzards, snows and bad weather and this eternal sunshine and the soft summer air are so favorable to their growth that stock arrives to a state of physical maturity from one to two years earlier than they do in a colder climate. CATTLE. During 1903-04 more than 2,000 cattle were shipped into the valley that they might be fattened on the rich pasture fields of alfalfa. Beef cattle bring the highest price in our markets east or west and can be sold any day of the year right here at our own doors. Private Residence, Yrsrv, Arizona. CHARACTER OF THE LAND. Uncultivated land here is covered with a growth of mes- quite, arrow weeds, cottonwood or willow. These various growths depend on the soil and its moisture. • PURCHASABLE LANDS. Lands can be bought in the Yuma Valley adjacent or within access of water from the company's canals at prices ranging from $5.00 to $75.00 per acre. Experienced farmers claim they can pay $100.00 per acre for improved land and pay for it in three years. Much of this land, though settled on and homesteaded, is not yet cleared up. This land will cost to clear it from $1.50 to $5.00 per acre, the cost depending on the growth and nature of the hummocks on the land. FERTILIZERS. An acre foot of water taken from the Colorado River and dis- tributed over the land carries with it one of the richest fertilizers known to the farmer. Government experts state that after the bulk Reservoir Ko. 1. The Company Have Three Other Reservoirs Similar to No. 1. of the sediment has been precipitated so as to pass the water through the ditches it still holds a fertilizer worth from $2.00 to $3.00 per acre. ABUNDANCE OF WATER. It is a noted fact that the complaints that come from agricul- turists who depend on irrigation are generally based on the uncertain and scanty supply of water, which is usually wholly exhausted just at the time of year when water is most needed. In Yuma we have water that surpasses the supply in any other section of the United States. YUMA, ARIZONA. Yuma is the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona. The Dist- rict Court is presided over by one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the Territory. The attorneys that make up the bar are men of honor, ability and high standing in the community. The city contains a population of about 2,500 people. It has two banks, three wholesale houses, a dozen merchandise stores, electric light 10 Gate No. 2, Main Canal. system, water works and telephone. The city has a good public school system, with a full complement of efficient teachers. The churches are well represented and you will find as much order and safety of life and prosperity here as in Massachusetts or Ohio. This city is built on the Colorado River and two lines of steamers make it their chief shipping point. All freight and passengers are carried to all parts of the country both up and down the river from Yuma. TEMPERATURE. Much has been said about the temperature at Yuma and it is time that the truth be kno^m about this splendid climate. If you will examine the United States Weather Bureau reports it will be seen that between 1876 and 1904 the highest maximum temjjerature in summer at Yuma was 86 degrees and the lowest minimum temperature was 59 degrees, now the hottest one day for 30 years was 118 degrees in 1878 and the lowest temperature was 22 degrees above zero, which has occurred but once in 30 years the average temperature in winter being 70 degrees above and the 11 Shipping Honey From Yi^ma, Arizona. average days in summer being 85 to 100 degrees. The temperature of Fresno and Bakersfield, Cal., and Chicago, 111., have run up higher and remained longer than was ever heard of in this county, besides this if you will examine the Bureau reports you will find that our sec- tion will average up with any other locality in California, Arizona, New Mexico or Texas and it must be remembered that when the ther- mometer registers 100 degrees here it is not as oppressive as 75 and 80 degrees are in Ohio or New- York as our atmosphere is very dry and the heat is never troublesome. The figures herein quoted were taken from the United States Weather Bureau's report and can be relied on as correct. PRODUCTS OF YUHA COUNTY. During the year 1903 we quote below a partial list of what this county has produced and an approximate number of horses, cattle and hogs in the countj^: Wheat 15,000 sacks, 1903 Barley 25,000 sacks 1903 Sweet potatoes 1,000 sacks, 1903 Alfalfa 10,000 tons, 1903 12 Horses on the Winsor Farm, Yuma Valley, Arizona. Estimated crop for 1904 20,000 tons Lemons 1,000 boxes, 1903 Sorghum 500 tons, 1903 Horses moi'e than 5,000 head in the county Hogs exported 10 carloads Cattle exported, 3,000 Estimated number of cattle in Yuma County. . . . 15,000 head Honey product for 1903, 30 tons Honey exported in 1903, 20 tons Apricots raised year 1903 2,000 boxes The above is only an approximate statement for 1903. The reader must not forget that irrigation and farming in the valley is in its infancy. This is certainly a good showing when you take into consideration the fact that farming without irrigation in this county is impossible and that our irrigation system is only a few j^ears old. During the year 1903 Judge Thacker sold in the vicinity of 100 boxes of very fine pears from his farm three miles from Yuma. S. E. Seeley's farm in the valley yielded something like 150 sacks of beans as fine as can be produced in any part of the world. ]3 About 1,000 boxes of round full jDlump oranges were raised on tlie Blaisdell fami west of Yuma and nowhere in the United States can they beat our oranges in size, sweetness, color or luscious flavor. We have here the coming orange and lemon producing district of the West, the equal of which can not be found. BEE INDUSTRY. Honey making and the bee industry is one of the most profitable industries in this county. Many tons are each year shipped from this valley. Its flavor and quality is one of its most valuable feat- ures. The alfalfa blossom, flowers, willows and mesquite bloom afford a never ending source to supply the busy bee. WATER RIGHTS Water rights are attached to the land and transferred with it. We have at present some 50,000 acres under our system that is located in the United States and water sufficient to irrigate this area. WELL WATER. Good water for drinking and household purposes can be had by sinking a well seven to sixteen feet, but better water can be secured in great abundance by going down to a depth of thirty to sixty feet. PLANTING CROPS. Every month of the year some kind of crop is being planted or harvested. This fact speaks for itself and shows the value of this country as a crop producer and speaks volumes for our climate. HOW TO REACH YUMA. From whatever part of the United States you start from, always buy your ticket via the Southern Pacific Railroad. Their lines are safe to travel over, their cars are up-to-date and you can have every comfort of home right on the train. Chair cars, dining cars and sleeping coaches make travel to this country one of comfort and even luxury. A FINAL SUGGESTION. If the reader is interested in this subject and wants to secure a home or make a valuable investment, we ask him to come to this valley and examine it for himself. This is a fair way to treat you and one that should be highly satisfactory to the most critical in- vestor. For maps, prices and further information call on or sddress ' Irrigation Land and Improvement Company, VUiVlA, ARIZOINA. 14 e ^HRRWATIIOM LAhtO O""^^ ^*^ Co 15 / E^^ UJL ^^ / j