SOUTHERN ARIZONA. 13 



making in Southern California, gave as the result of his observations 

 in the valley the opinion that this was a sherry district, unsurpassed 

 by any in the world. He also called attention to the peculiar adapt- 

 ability of the land to the growth of raisin grapes. The Mission, 

 Muscat and Seedless Sultana varieties of raisin grape have been 

 tested throughout the valley with the most surprising and gratifying 

 results. 



A vineyard will yield in the third year an average of five tons 

 of grapes to the acre. The raisins can be cured on the ground, and 

 the loss by drying is only two-thirds as compared with three-fourths 

 elsewhere. The yield of the vineyards increase as the vines become 

 older. 



The McPherson Brothers, of California, have set out a vineyard 

 of six hundred and forty acres of raisin grapes, which is growing 

 finely, and will begin to bear next year. 



The most wonderful feature in connection with grape growing in 

 the Salt River valley is that the soil is of such exceeding fertility 

 that grape vines commence to bear at eighteen months, and what is 

 yet more remarkable, there are frequent instances where vines have 

 borne two crops in one year ! 



Apples, pears, quinces, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, and 

 every variety of fruit indigenous to temperate latitudes grow luxu- 

 riantly throughout the valley, and strawberries, raspberries, black- 

 berries, currants, gooseberries, and all varieties of small fruits, are 

 successfully cultivated. 



The lands lying along the Gila river, and the southern and west- 

 ern portion of Maricopa county, seem to be the natural home of the 

 citrus and semi-tropical fruits. In the vicinity of Gila Bend are 

 grown oranges more excellent in flavor, larger and better formed, 

 than those of Riverside, California, and equal, if not superior, to 

 those plucked from the far-famed groves of Mazatlan, in Sonora, 

 Mexico. The lemon and lime flourishes luxuriantly. The culture 

 of the banana has been attended with success. Pomegranate, figs, 

 citron, every fruit, plant, grain, grass or vegetable which can be 

 produced in either tropic or temperate zone, will thrive in the rich 

 and prolific soils which are to be found in Maricopa county. Two 

 crops of cereals can be raised during the year, and the soil is 



