8 SOUTHERN ARIZONA. 



Do not think the sketch exaggerated. He who has not seen the 

 wonderful effect of the intelligent application of water to the desert 

 plains can not understand the miraculous changes which it will pro- 

 duce. 



Listen to the following story of a disinterested non-resident who 

 with the close scrutiny of a careful business man, and while acting in 

 the strict line of his duty, gives the result of his investigations. 



Mr. E. W. Parsons, Auditor of the Connecticut Mutual Life 

 Insurance Company, at the request of certain Eastern capitalists who 

 were about to make loans upon property in Pasadena, Riverside and 

 San Bernardino, California, and in Phoenix, Arizona, came to this 

 territory to investigate and report upon the agricultural resources of 

 the Salt River valley and the values of lands. We quote the follow- 

 ing extracts from Mr. Parson's report : 



"As to irrigation, to a New England traveler by railroad through 

 Southern California and Arizona, who for days passes over what 

 appears to be a barren desert, producing nothing but cacti, sage-brush, 

 and mesquite, it is almost impossible to realize the magical change 

 produced by a systematic application of water. The desert lands can 

 be turned into fruitful vineyards and orchards and waving fields of 

 grain and clover, and be made to bud and blossom as the rose. 



One is struck with amazement in visiting the vicinity of Los An- 

 geles, Pasadena, San Bernardino and Riverside, to see the orange 

 groves, peach orchards, and vineyards, covering thousands of acres, 

 and all loaded down with fruit of the finest quality. All owing to 

 the system of irrigation so little understood by Eastern people. It 

 was simple as A B C, and when in perfect order is under as complete 

 control as the water and gas are in our own city and can be readily 

 applied to the whole section, or any part thereof where it may be 

 needed, at any time and any amount within the limits. I have fre- 

 quently seen the fields flooded and have let the water on myself. 



The desert lands without the water are nearly worthless ; but 

 where the water can be applied the lands in Pasadena and Riverside, 

 which but a few years ago were bought for from $20 to $50 per acre, 

 are now worth $1,000 per acre. 



In order to show what has been and still can be done (for it is 

 constantly taking place), I will cite a few instances that I learned 

 while on the spot. 



Two gentlemen in Riverside, Cal., own jointly 37 acres, which are 

 devoted entirely to the raising of oranges and grapes. On a certain 

 plot containing If acres of grape vines of four years' growth the 



