USA > Arizona > The resources of Arizona; a description of its mineral, farming, grazing and timber lands; its rivers, mountains, valleys and plains; its cities, towns and mining camps; its climate and productions; with brief sketches of its early history etc > Part 20
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Nor need he have any fear about "eating up" the range. After being grazed down to the roots, the sweet gramma grass shoots up next season with fresh vigor and luxuriance. Ranges over which cattle have roamed for years show no falling off in the quantity or quality of the feed. In fact, it is claimed by some that the ground is enriched by the cattle, and that the native
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grasses attain a stronger growth after being pastured for a few years.
It is estimated that 60,000 square miles, or more than one- half of the entire area of the Territory is grazing land. Reduced to acres, this vast area would amount to 38,- 400,000, an area almost equal to the whole of New England. Liberal estimates allow from five to ten acres of grass land to maintain an animal during the year. Taking the lowest figure, which is a very conservative one, we have a total of 7,680,000 head, which the grazing lands of Arizona are capable of main- taining. But even allowing ten acres to each head, and we have the vast total of 3,840,000. These figures are very reasonable, and with the present growth of the cattle industry, it is very probable that the latter number will be grazing within the Ter- ritory inside of ten years. The rapid increase in herds already here, and the numbers which are being steadily driven hither, makes it nearly certain that this prophecy will be realized.
Ranges in other countries are difficult to find, and costly, while in Arizona many fine ones are yet open to location, and others can be had at reasonable rates. Capital is also making heavy investments in the stock business, and is constantly on the lookout for new and more extensive ranges. Large syndi- cates have been formed for the purchase of immense herds, and many of them are looking towards Arizona as the country which offers the best inducements for profitable stock-growing. These favorable conditions will pour into Arizona, within the next few years, millions of hoofs and horns.
The railroads will also give an impetus to the cattle business. The two transcontinental lines now passing through the Terrig tory have done wonders in developing the industry, but when the network of branches and side lines, now under way and projected, are completed, cattle-raising will enter on the high road that leads to wonderful prosperity and enormous growth. The iron rail will afford that cheap and rapid transportation which is essential to profitable cattle-growing. They will open to the Arizona stockman the markets of the world. To the east and to the west, to the metropolis by the Golden Gate, as well as to the great cities by the Atlantic seaboard, Arizona beef can be shipped cheaply and expeditiously. And even the European markets can be reached. With railroad communication Arizona beef can be laid down in Liverpool or London as cheaply as the Texas or Montana product. And even cheaper, for it must be remembered that the cost of production is less in Arizona than in any other portion of the United States.
The day is not far distant when the fat and succulent cargoes will be shipped across the ocean, and when the English work- man will build up his thews and sinews on the prime article grown on the plains and mesas of Arizona. In fact the market is steadily enlarging, while the area of grass land is being stead-
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ily curtailed. San Francisco alone, is as fine a market as the Arizona cattle-man could desire. Her demand is always grow- ing, and the localities she formerly depended upon for her sup- ply are gradually falling off in their production. In Oregon, in Washington, and other Territories, the farmer is taking up the land once devoted to stock, lessening the supply and increasing the price. To Arizona must the Queen city of the Pacific here- after look for beef and mutton. The home market is also stead- ily growing, and as mines are developed, farms taken up and population increases, the domestic consumption will always be an item of considerable importance.
The profits and increase in the stock business in Arizona are something phenomenal. There is no industry or calling where the returns are so large on the capital invested, where the chances for success are greater, or the risk of failure less. Poor men who started with fifty or a hundred head, eight or ten years ago, are now "fixed " for life. There is not an instance of failure in the history of stock-growing in the Territory. Every man who engaged in it has grown rich, or is fast becoming so. Prices have more than doubled within the past three years, with yet an upward tendency. A man who is so fortunate as to own a herd of cattle and a good range is the most independent in Arizona.
Asleep or awake, at home or abroad, his droves multiply and his wealth increases. While other callings require constant at- tention and unremitting care, the stockman can lie down con- tentedly, assured that no serious accident can interfere with his steady accumulation. While the slumbers of the miner are dis- turbed by visions of a "porphyry horse," a heavy flow of water, or his mine with the "bottom falling out;" while the merchant is haunted by thoughts of dull trade, low prices and bad debts; while the artisan is troubled by the nightmare of hard times, scarcity of work, and low wages, the cattle raiser can enjoy the slumbers of the blest, attended by pleasant visions of growing herds and full coffers. The ycarly increase in the cattle business in Arizona is from eighty to ninety per cent .; in most cases nearer the latter than the former figure. The following table will give an idea of the increase in stock in this Territory. It is furnished by a cattle-grower of long experience, and can be relied upon as strictly correct. Starting with 100 head, the in- crease for five years will be as follows:
First year
194 head
Second “
314
Third
.495
Fourth “
782
Fifth «
1,302
These figures will convey some idea of the enormous profits of stock-raising in Arizona. There is no business which the man of limited means can engage in that leads so speedily to
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fortune. This seems incredible but it is a fact that is being demon- strated every year. When it is remembered that the losses from all sources will not exceed three per cent. it cannot be wondered that cattle-men grow rich so rapidly.
The prices for cattle are high, good beef cattle being worth from seven to eight cents per pound, neat. This price has prevailed for the past two years, and there is no reason to be- lieve it will get any lower. The following are the ruling prices at present :
Beef cattle (three year olds) $35@40
Three year olds (heifer). 25@,35
Two year olds (steers and heifers) 25@30
Ycarlings (steers and heifers)
15@20
Stock cattle are worth $30 per head. The grade of cattle in the Territory is being steadily improved. At first a very in- ferior stock of Mexican and long-horned Texan steers and cows was bred, but the introduction of fine Durham bulls and droves of superior American cattle has almost driven out the poor scrubby stock of the early days. And the good work is still going on. Every stock-grower takes a pride in improving his herd, and in a few years the grade of Arizona cattle will compare with any portion of the Union. For the purpose of giving the reader a clear idea of the grazing capabilities of the Territory, and assisting the cattle-grower who thinks of driving his herds hither, a short description of the ranges in the several counties is here given.
Yavapai county, which embraces the larger portion of the great Colorado plateau, and contains more than one-fourth of the entire area of the Territory, has within its borders some of the finest grazing grounds in Arizona. The elevated plains, table-lands, foot-hills, and mountain-sides, from the thirty-fourth parallel to the Little Colorado, are all covered with a heavy growth of black and white gramma, mesquite, pine, and buffalo, grass. The heavy snow-falls of winter and the copious summer showers cover this whole region with rich, nutritious feed, on which stock keep in prime condition at all seasons. While the snow-fall in the elevated mountain ranges sometimes reaches a depth of from four to five feet, it disappears from the mesas, foot-hills and valleys within a very short time. The finest beef in the Territory, it is claimed, grows on the Colorado plateau. The grass is richer, more juicy and nutritious than in other parts of the country where the moisture is not so great.
The ranges of Yavapai extend all over the county. In nearly every valley and mountain glen, on the rolling plains and table- lands, and even on the sides and summits of the mountain ranges, excellent feed for stock is found. In fact the county may be considered one vast stock range, its capabilities only be- ing limited by its water supply. Where living water can be
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had, there a range can always be found; and in many localities the possession of the water gives the owner undisputed control of a pasture extending in every direction as far as the eye can reach.
The principal ranges now occupied in this county are along the water-courses and around permanent springs. No effort has been made to sink artesian wells. Many of the large, grassy valleys on the plateau are surrounded by mountain ranges, and . drain the annual rain and snow-falls which descend upon them. These valleys are vast reservoirs, holding in their underground channels the immense bodies of water, which for ages have rushed down from the surrounding hills. The chances for find- ing artesian water in many of them are most encouraging, but hitherto no attempt has been made to solve the problem. So long as plenty of unoccupied grazing ground and living water is open for the stockman he will not go to the expense of seek- ing for an artesian supply. But as the number of cattle increases, and grass lands along the water-courses become overcrowded, the attempt to utilize those vast stretches of grass-covered plains will no doubt be made, and, we believe, successfully.
The Tonto basin, the Verde valley and the foot-hills adjacent, the region of country around the base of Bill Williams moun- tain, and the valleys and grass-covered hills of the San Fran- cisco, the wide grassy plain, known as Chino valley, the rolling hills skirting the Agua Fria, the extensive plains along Date creek, the rich slopes of the Mogollon and the Juniper, and the scores of little valleys and mountain glens all over the county, are at present the stock-ranges of Yavapai. In many of the valleys, windmills have been erected, and owners of small bands supply their stock with water by this means. The building of the railroad along the thirty-fifth parallel has been of great benefit to the stock interests of Yavapai county. It has opened markets both east and west, and largely increased the home consumption. Stock throughout the county is rapidly increasing, and large droves are constantly changing hands at from $25 to $30 per head. This includes three and two-year olds, yearlings and calves. The number of cattle in the county at the present time is estimated at 65,000.
Mohave county, which joins Yavapai on the west, and extends to the Colorado river, has some magnificent grazing ranges, the larger portion of which must remain unoccupied until flow- ing water can be had. The Hualapai, the Sacramento, and many other extensive valleys, east of the Colorado, are covered with a thick growth of rich grasses, capable of sustaining hun- dreds of thousands of cattle. These valleys drain large areas of mountain country, and, no doubt, contain large bodies of water beneath the surface. At present they are utterly valueless, but if water can be found they will be among the very best cattle- ranges in Arizona. Along the Big Sandy and Bill Williams
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Fork, there is a fine grassy county, and many portions of the Colorado valley are well-adapted for stock-growing. On the western slopes of the Cottonwood mountain there are many fine ranges, and also in the rolling grass-covered hills northeast from Hackberry.
Mohave, like Yavapai, is a grazing county from one end to the other, and with a regular water supply her grassy plains, valleys and foot-hills could support almost countless herds. The Atlantic and Pacific railroad, which crosses the county from east . to west, gives her all the advantages of a market which it has conferred on her sister county. The number of cattle in Mohave is put at 8,000.
Yuma county has some excellent stock ranges along her east- ern border and in portions of the great Colorado valley, but here as in Mohave, a scarcity of water prevents them from be- ing utilized. Her vast grassy plains bordering on Maricopa and Yavapai are at present solitary wastes. In some valleys wells have been sunk and good water found, but the clumsy and tedi- ous plan of hoisting with a bucket, can only supply a small number of cattle. No effort has yet been made to get flowing water in this region, but the rich and extensive country that would thus be made valuable, is certainly worth the effort. The valley and adjoining plains of the lower Gila is a fine cattle country and a large number are now being pastured there. The number of cattle in Yuma county is about 5,000.
The grazing lands of Gila county at present occupied, are situ- ated along the Gila and Salt rivers and in the lower end of the Tonto basin. Tonto, Wild Rye and the other tributaries of the Salt which flow through the basin, are excellent stock-ranges. The slopes of the Sierra Ancha and the Mazatzal are covered with rich grasses, noted for their fattening qualities. Bordering the Gila river in its course through this county, are some of the most desirable pastures to be found in the Territory. There is an abundance of fine water, and the hillsides, valleys and table- lands are covered with a magnificent carpet of succulent grasses. This is one of the very best ranges in Arizona, and there is room for ten times the number at present occupying it. All that roll- ing, hilly country extending from the northern slope of the Pinal mountains to Salt river, is a fine stock country. The narrow valleys, low hills and mesas are covered at all times by a heavy growth of gramma and other grasses and cattle fed upon them are ready for the market at all seasons of the year.
Gila offers many advantages to the stock-raiser, and, in fact, the entire county is one vast range clothed from end to end with some of the richest grasses to be found in the Territory. At present but little of the field is occupied, and vast tracts capable of sustaining large herds, where water could be secured at very little cost, are open to occupation. The number of cattle in the county is put at 10,000.
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The pastoral lands of Graham county are found along the Gila, near the new Mexican line, the Arivapai cañon, the foot- hills and valleys surrounding the Graham mountains, the lower Sulphur Spring valley, Eagle, Bonita, and other tributaries of the Gila river, from the north, and the immense grassy plains of the lower San Simon valley. This great plain has an underground river flowing through its entire length. The stream forces its way through the bank and falls into the Gila, near Safford. No effort has yet been made to utilize it for stock purposes, and hundreds of thousands of acres of magnificent grass land is given over to the wild deer and the coyote. The lower end of the Sulphur Spring valley contains some of the best ranges in the Territory, and here, and on the slopes of the Graham and Galiuro mountains, which bound it on the east and west, large herds have been pastured for years. The water supply is abundant, and the feed rich and nutritious. The Arivapai cañon, which pierces the Galiuro range and extends from the San Pedro to the Gila, is also an excellent stock country. It is nearly forty miles in length, has abundance of pure water, and a splendid growth of gramma, mesquite and bunch grass. The rolling hills and mesas which border it on either side are among the most desirable ranges in Arizona. The climate is delight- ful, and the quality of beef grown has long been noted for its juicy tenderness and fine flavor. A great many cattle are pastured here, but there is room for many more.
The upper Gila is also a fine cattle-growing region. From the boundary of New Mexico to the mouth of the San Fran- cisco, the narrow valley of the stream is bordered with rolling hills and plains, always covered with excellent feed. The climate is superb, and the abundant water supply in the river can be approached by stock at any point. The narrow-gauge railroad from Clifton to Lordsburg passes through this region, thus offer- ing every facility for the shipment of the product to market. Stockmen looking for a range cannot find a more suitable one than along this portion of the Gila. There is room for many thousands of cattle along the valley.
On the eastern and northern foot-hills of the Graham mountain are some beautiful stock-ranges. At the foot of this massive elevation many clear, cold springs burst forth, and flow out for some distance before they are lost in the dry plain. These springs form charming meadows, green and inviting all the year. On these cienegas, and on the adjacent hills and plains, cattle keep sleek and fat summer and winter. When tired of roaming over the plains and foot-hills they seek the moist, springy meadows, and crop the rich green grass which grows thereon. On Eagle creek is one of the finest ranges in the county. The grass is re- markably luxuriant, often reaching to the knee as the horseman gallops over its green expanse. There is always an abundant water supply, and it was estimated that 20,000 head can be
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THE RESOURCES OF ARIZONA.
pastured on this one creek and its tributary. Much of the best grazing land in Graham is included within the San Carlos reser- vation, and closed to the white man.
In this brief sketch of the grass lands of the county many matters of detail have been omitted, but enough has been said to show that it is one of the foremost grazing regions of the Ter- ritory. Its plains, valleys, hills, and table-lands are capable of supporting ten times the number that now feeds upon them. According to the best information obtainable, Graham has 30,000 head.
The grazing lands of Pinal county are along the Gila and San Pedro rivers, on the northern slopes of the Santa Catalina range, and on the foot-hills of the Tortilla and Tortillita moun- tains. On both sides of the Gila, from Florence to the line of the San Carlos reservation, there is one of the best stock coun- tries in the Territory. The rolling foot-hills, valleys and plains are covered with a thick growth of gramma, bunch grass, and a species known as chemise, which cattle are exceedingly fond of. There are many fine ranges unoccupied in this region, and yet room for large herds. On the tributaries which flow into the river from the north and the south, there are some very desirable locations, with a luxuriant growth of grass everywhere, and living water in many places. On the extensive plains which stretch from the Superstition mountains to the Gila, and from that stream south to the railroad, the grass is rich and abundant, but the scarcity of water has thus far prevented cattle-men from utilizing it.
Along the lower San Pedro the feed is plentiful, and the water supply abundant. A large number of cattle are pas- tured in this region, which is one of the most favored spots for stock-raising in Arizona. Except on some of the rugged.moun- tain ranges, there is not an acre within the limits of Pinal county that is not covered with excellent feed. Valley and plain and table- land all bear a vigorous and luxuriant growth, and the climate is among the most delightful in the Territory. Close estimates place the number of cattle within the borders of Pinal at 12,000, but these figures are being rapidly increased as new droves are steadily finding their way to so desirable a field.
Maricopa county possesses some fine grass lands on the lower Verde, New river, Cave creek, Camp creck, the Hassayampa and the lower Agua Fria. The ranges along these water-courses are covered with the very best varieties of gramma and bunch grass, and the beef fattened on them is equal in tenderness and flavor to any in the Territory. In that portion of Tonto basin, within the limits of Maricopa county, there are some very desirable pastures many of them being at present occupied by large herds. This mountain region is noted for the rich quality of its grasses, and is becoming a favorite spot with cattle-men. The valley of the Salt river will eventually be the scene of a
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WEALTH ON FOOT.
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profitable grazing industry. A number of settlers are already devoting their farms to the business, and find it more profitable than the raising of grain. The immense fields of alfalfa, which can be grown here with so little labor and expense, will yet be covered with thousands of cattle. On this rich and succulent plant, which blooms in verdure every month of the year, beef, equal to the primest stall-fed of the East, will yet be grown. Although the business may be considered an experiment as yet, enough has been done to prove that it can be carried on success- fully and profitably.
It is estimated that a half acre of alfalfa is all-sufficient to keep an animal all the year. By dividing the pasture with light fences the herd can always have an abundance of new feed. When they have cropped the green and juicy plant in one enclosure they can be driven to another, and by the time they have gone the round of the ranche the first field is again covered by a luxuriant growth. Such a stock-farm has many advantages over the natural ranges of the country. No herd- ing or "rounding-up " is required ; there is no loss from "strayed or stolen ;" the percentage of increase is greater ; the water supply is always sure and abundant. The stock is securely en- closed, and the owner, from his cool coign of vantage under his broad verandah, can look over his wide pastures and see his fat herds revelling amid the blossoming fields, or resting peace- fully beneath the shade of the spreading cottonwood. Alfalfa is equal to the best clover, and the beef now fattened from it in the valley cannot be excelled in the United States .. As near as can be ascertained, the number of cattle in the county is 8,000.
The grazing lands of Cochise county are among the most ex- tensive in the Territory, and its grassy plains, valleys and hill- sides, are capable of supporting large droves. There is no por- tion of the Territory that offers greater advantages for stock- growing. The climate is almost a perpetual spring, and diseases among cattle are hardly known. The natural water supply is good, and the opportunity for increasing it by artificial aids are unsurpassed in Arizona. Two railroads passing through the county offer every facility for shipping the product to market, while the domestic consumption is large and steadily increasing. Although the business during the past two years has been ha- rassed by border troubles it has grown rapidly and bids fair within a short time to assume vast proportions. A large number of stock from Texas and California have been driven into the county, but one-fifth of the extensive ranges are not yet occupied. There is no reason why Cochise should not be able to sustain ten times her present number, and in all likelihood a few years will see over half a million head grazing on her grassy plains and valleys. Cattle-raisers who are thinking of driving their herds to Arizona will find no better opportunities for securing a range than in Cochise.
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The principal pastures now utilized in this county, are the Sulphur Springs and San Simon valleys, the upper San Pedro, and the slopes, foot-hills and valleys of the Huachuca, Chiricahua and Dragoon mountains. The farming possibilities of the Sul- phur Spring valley have been alluded to in another place. Its grazing resources surpass those of any stretch of country of like extent in the Territory. A vast grass-covered plain nearly one hundred miles in length, and over fifteen miles in width, and ex- tending from the northern spurs of the Sierra Madre, in Sonora, nearly to the Gila river, it is one of the most magnificent stock- ranges in the West. Throughout its entire length water is found within a few feet of the surface, and fine springs are met with every few miles. These springs form beautiful green meadows, where cattle love to stray during the heat of the noonday sun. A luxuriant growth of nutritious grass covers nearly the whole of this vast domain, and after the summer rains, when its level expanse is carpeted with green and decked with myriads of wild flowers, it looks like a vast ocean of verdure, with the sunbeams glinting from its sparkling surface.
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