RAINFALL. A large part of the water that serves to reclaim the lands of the Salt River Valley comes direct from central Arizona, and if it were not for the large rainfall of this region there would be little civilization where the rich and prosperous settlements north of the Gila and in its near neighborhood now exist. Phoenix and Tempe, with their thousands of acres reclaimed from the desert, are largely dependent upon this section for water, and the land which is now selling there for hundreds of dollars an acre owes its reclamation to northern Arizona. The average annual rainfall of the vicinity of Prescott during ten years is shown by the records of the United States observers to be 15.18 inches. The following tabulated statement is reproduced and is taken from the United States Signal Service station at Fort Whipple, and covers a period of ten consecutive years. Annual rainfall. Inches. 11.01 11.01 9.37 9.84 12.39 17.64 14.96 9.39 9.57 12.95 15.18 As will be seen by inspection of all the noted localities mentioned, Los Angeles is the only one possessing a greater annual rainfall than Prescott, yet among the places named are the most prominent orange and grape growing regions of the Golden State. If the invalid is in search of pure and invigorating air, it is here he will find it. If the army of consumptives who have gone before" in southern California and Florida had wandered to this Mecca, life would not have been a burden under these clear, cool skies. The terrible cold of the North or the withering heat of the tropical South is here unknown. Reports from the Medical Department of the United States Army, embracing the zone of which Fort Whipple (but 1 mile from Prescott) is the center, give the remarkable statement that that military post is one of the healthiest regions of the world. AGRICULTURE AND KINDRED PURSUITS. With the possible exception of the Verde Valley, very little land has, up to the present time, been strictly devoted to agriculture. In the above locality, however, embracing a cultivated area of 3 miles wide by 45 miles in length, there is to be seen one of the most prosperous and progressive farming communities in the Southwest. It is well watered throughout the entire year, and, by means of canals recently constructed, a considerable area has been reclaimed in the past few years. The demand for its products is greater than its supply-a fact which is proven in the price paid for hay, grain, fruits, and farm produce, each of the above commodities ranging in price in near-by markets from 25 per cent to as high as 50 per cent over that shipped in from outside points. In the county there are about 40 miles of irrigating canals and laterals. There are many water courses in the county upon which men of capital or corporations can erect dams for the conservation of water, so that an area aggregating 200.000 additional acres can be put under irrigation at a minimum cost. The ranges for cattle, horses, and sheep are almost unoccupied, owing primarily to the fact that the land suitable for that purpose has been either overcrowded or eaten out. Last year it is estimated that over 100,000 head of steers were shipped or driven out of the county to pasture fields, which will have a tendency to renew interest in this calling in future years. Very little land is devoted to horticulture, although the climatic conditions are such that an unequalled quality of fruit of certain kinds can be raised. The lack of water in the best localities is the main drawback. Peaches, apples, pears, cherries, and all kinds of berries do well, and are superior to those raised in the valley counties; grapes also mature well and are of exceptionally good quality. Fruits mature from July to September. There is a good field for the orchardist here, as the demand is large and fruit of all kinds keeps well. The only enterprises of any importance in this line are those of Ross & Clay and Haskell & Kirwagen. The former have 4,000 trees about ready to bear and the latter some 1,500 bearing. The consumption of butter, eggs, and cheese is fifty times greater than the supply, necessitating the shipment of these products from the Salt River Valley and Kansas. LUMBERING. One of the prominent features that first impresses the stranger in Yavapai County is the vast and seemingly inexhaustible supply of timber suitable for all branches of the lumber business. The appearance presented by these primeval forests, after the long days spent by the traveler in journeying through the monotonous expanses of Eastern prairies, or the still less interesting wastes of California deserts, is a most pleasing one, and the beauties of the forest scenes presented grow with acquaintance. The principal timber is the pine, there being not less than three distinct varieties. The piñon, ash, elder, cedar, cottonwood, oak, walnut, and quaking asp are also found in abundance. The property values show an increase of over a quarter of a million dollars over the previous year, and had not the city of Jerome been nearly wiped out by conflagration the total valuation would unquestionably have reached the six million dollar mark. POINTS OF INTEREST. There are many houses of the cliff dwellers situated not far from Prescott, and many historic ruins. The Castle Creek Hot Springs will soon become famous as a health resort, the waters being considered superior to most of the famous hot springs of the country. It is claimed and well authenticated that these springs will cure the most obstinate cases of rheumatism, stomach disorders, or scrofulous diseases of any character or origin, no matter of how long standing. The accommodations are excellent and the comforts and care of a home are ever ready. Convalescents from typhoid fever readily attest to the merits of its curative waters, while the emaciated victims of years of suffering from the "grip" seem to find here the only help possible in the restoration of health and vigor. The writer has personally talked with several people afflicted with the latter disease who have visited these springs, and each and all cheerfully and voluntarily attest to the curative effects of the water. BUILDING STONE, ETC. Throughout the county are numerous deposits of onyx, lithographic stone, red and gray sandstone, and other building materials. Notable among these are the extensive and beautiful onyx quarries at Big Bug. Extensive deposits of an excellent quality of lithographic stone are found on Sycamore Creek, fine red sandstone at Rock Butte, and red and white sandstone within 3 miles of Prescott. The latter quarries furnish a very fine quality of stone for building purposes, and it is being extensively used in the construction of homes and business houses in the city. RAILROAD INTERESTS. Yavapai County has four distinct railroad corporations, viz: The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix, the United Verde and Pacific, the Prescott and Eastern, and the Congress Gold Company Line. The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix runs from Ash Fork, on the Santa Fe Pacific Railway, to Phoenix, a distance of 200 miles, and is known locally as the North and South Road. The United Verde and Pacific Railway branches from the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix at Jerome Junction and runs to Jerome, a distance of 30 miles. The Prescott and Eastern Railway leaves the main line near Prescott and terminates at Mayer, a distance of 28 miles to the east. The Congress Gold Company's road is but 4 miles in length, leaving the main line at Congress Junction, running thence to the Congress mine. There is no doubt that the railroad mileage will be materially increased during the coming year and the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix line extended farther from its present routes to reach several important mining districts of the county. In fact, it seems to be the general belief that mining interests demand cheaper and more ready means of transportation, and no doubt is felt that the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix system will meet the requirements. Since the completion of the road from Ash Fork to Phoenix, and running hand in hand, as it were, with its advent to Prescott, there has followed a |