18 SOUTHERN ARIZONA. 



through its southeastern corner. There are smaller tributaries. 

 Last year ten irrigating canals had reclaimed 30,000 acres of land. 

 The work of canal building, however, has just begun. The Florence 

 Canal and Water Company are constructing a great canal, which 

 will irrigate one hundred and fifty thousand acres of land. It 

 is expected that fifty miles of this canal will be completed 

 and in operation by October 1st of this year. Lateral ditches 

 will be constructed, carrying water to all the land possible. The 

 width of the main canal is twenty-five feet on the bottom, with sides 

 sloping so as to give an average width of thirty-six feet. It is 

 designed to carry a volume of water four feet deep. 



A writer, speaking of the lands which will be covered by this 

 canal, says : 



" The lands along the canal are capable of producing almost 

 every known product of the temperate zone and many of the semi- 

 tropical fruits. They are a part of the great thermal belt never 

 touched by frost, and are therefore especially desirable for the growth 

 of citrus fruits. Grapes flourish with remarkable vigor and pro- 

 ductiveness, and the dry atmosphere peculiarly adapts it for raisin 

 making. It is a specially favored section, in which almost every 

 thing of necessity or luxury can be produced in abundance, and 

 where a home in all its perfection can be created in a very few years. 



It is a grand enterprise for this portion of Arizona, this Florence 

 canal. It is destined to start the w r heels of progress, and it will lead 

 to other new and equally important developments." 



The olive flourishes here and produces fruit equal to that of 

 Santa Barbara, California, which is nowhere excelled. The yield of 

 the raisin grape is as great as in Maricopa and the experiments 

 made in wine making prove that this will become a source of great 

 wealth in the future. 



Heretofore the farmer has directed his energies to the growing of 

 grain and alfalfa, but as the means of transportation are increased 

 they will turn their attention more and more to horticulture which 

 will yield a greater return for their labor. 



A railroad is proposed from Phoenix through Florence to the 

 Southern Pacific at Tucson, and running through this rich and fer- 

 tile section. The Southern Pacific now passes through the south- 

 eastern corner of the county, but below its most productive por- 

 tion. 



