WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 937 



White Mountains, Bradshaws, Sierra Prietas, Sierra Anches, and San 

 Francisco ranges of mountains all traverse it. The White, Puerco, 

 Colorado, Choquiti, Agua Fria, Yerde, and other rivers and streams 

 give an inexhaustible supply of water for irrigation if properly utilized. 

 Skirting the dry valleys where no streams flow are mountains in whose 

 canyons are natural reservoirs that can at small expense be utilized for 

 storing the life-giving fluid. Gramma and bunch grass cover the high- 

 est mountain ranges, affording most excellent pasturage for cattle and 

 sheep. 



A description of the surface area of the Territory is given under the 

 folio wing classification: Mountainous area, 32,142,282 acres; mesa land, 

 29,107,353 acres; valley land, 31,076,317 acres; and the estimated for- 

 est area is 9,148,007 acres. 



The agricultural lands are confined mainly to the valleys and mesas, 

 or that part of them which is subject to irrigation. Where irrigation 

 is possible the soil is unrivaled as to its productive fertility, and yields 

 enormous crops. The principal development of farming under irriga- 

 tion has been done in the southern and central portion of the Territory, 

 notably in Maricopa County. 



The rainfall along the Gila Eiver averages from 4to 5 inches, while 

 at the base it rises to 25 or 30. Showers are most frequent in July 

 and August. The climate of northern Arizona, where sheep-raising is 

 mainly confined, is almost perfect, so far as the health and comfort of 

 stock are concerned. This portion of the Territory has an elevation 

 ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level. In winter the ther- 

 mometer ranges at night from 10 below to 30 above zero ; the days \ 

 are bright and sunny and the air pure, dry, and invigorating. Stock 

 is neither fed nor housed in winter, but subsist very well the year 

 round upon the ranges. ISTo section of the United States has a more 

 healthful climate than Arizona, a very important consideration in con- 

 nection with stock-raising. 



In a report made to the United States Treasury Department for in- 

 ternal commerce of 1890, William E. Guild, of Florence, Ariz., has the 

 following to say regarding the live-stock interests : 



Arizona is in fact as well as name "a stock-raiser's paradise/' and there is no ter- 

 ritory of equal extent on the continent better deserving the name. Labor and ex- 

 penses are lighter and profits higher, the percentage of loss smaller, and the increase 

 greater than in any other stock-raising section. Water is abundant near the surface 

 in nearly all the plains and valleys. Artesian wells exist in Sulphur Spring Valley, 

 and in but few places where efforts have been made to secure water has a failure 

 been the result. Windmills, steam pumps, and horse-power lifters are numerous, 

 and it is almost incredible the number of cattle that are supplied from these wells. 

 Many wells in Pima, Cochise, and Final counties water from 500 to 12,000 head of 

 stock. 



The pasturage of Arizona comprises a variety of grasses of the most 

 nutritious character black and blue gramma, sacaton, gaietta, bunch 

 grass, and alfileria. The inesquite tree, with its prolific crop of beans, 



