THE CONQUEST OF ARID AMERICA 



for their production is likely to be exaggerated by those 

 who sell climate by the acre. While the orange districts 

 of Arizona are not as yet perfectly defined, there is no 

 longer any question of the production of citrus fruit, 

 nor as to its quality and the early date at which it ripens. 

 It anticipates the southern California crop in the market, 

 though not the crop of northern California, which is sev- 

 eral weeks ahead of the southern product. 



Wherever the orange can be cultivated, the less tender 

 semi-tropical fruits figs, olives, almonds, pomegranates 

 may be certainly counted upon to grow even more sure- 

 ly and over a large area. The largest fig orchard in the 

 United States, and one of the largest in the world, is 

 located in the Salt River Valley. This industry has not 

 yet proven profitable, either in Arizona or California, 

 speaking broadly, for the reason that our people have 

 not entirely mastered the art of curing and packing. 

 The other products which have been mentioned are 

 thoroughly successful. So also are the finest qualities 

 of raisin, wine, and table grapes, and of the deciduous 

 fruits, such as peaches, apricots, prunes, pears, and ap- 

 ples. All vegetables and small fruits yield largely. With 

 better railroad facilities and rates, Arizona would be a 

 strong competitor of Florida and the West Indies in the 

 shipment of early vegetables to eastern and northern 

 markets. 



The major proportion of the irrigated land is tilled in 

 large farms devoted to grasses and cereals. Alfalfa is 

 the favorite fodder crop, and the valleys are becoming 

 great feeding grounds for cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep. 

 While this phase of the agricultural industry has been 

 prosperous, it by no mraiis represents the better possi- 



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