San Andreas independent., 1859-08-27
PEACH ORCHARD.

two since
PEACH ORCHARD.
1t was first settled by Mr.. H. Garcelon, one
of the present proprietors of the famous prop
erty known as the Peach Orchard" !" in 1850.
At that time, Mr.. Garcelon informs us, the
valley was filled with deer and antelope. His
eye at once detected its splendid agricultural
capacities, and he very sensibly located and
settled upon the beautiful ranch which is now
his home. II contains somewhere near 500
acres, half of which is bottom land, irrigated
from two springs located on small tableau
of alluvial earth back Of the house. The wa
ter in these springs is the best we have ever
drank of in the State. In front of the house,
which is neat two-story structure, surroun-
ded by porch and balcony, are two orchards
in full bearing. Together, they contain 5000
bearing trees and 5000 bearing vines Most
of the trees are peach of every variety known
in the State; but there is also several hun
dred nectarine trees, now full of fine fruit
several hundred apple, from three to six years
DID, and loaded with the fairest fruit we ever
beheld in any country; number of plum,
pear, ounce, fig and other trees, all present
ing the most healthy and productive appear
ance. We saw here the finest cherry trees in
the mountains, five years old, healthy. without
the least sign of blignt rom any cause what
ever, and having this summer borne large
crops of cherries. We also saw little Bart
let pear tree just two feet and a-half high,
about three-fourths of an inch in diameter,
which was transplanted this spring, and now
bears six pears that will weigh a-hat pound
each. a large fig tree in the upper orchard,
six years old, and large enough for a great
many " fowls of the air. to roost in, is quite a
curiosity to one unused to tropical trees. 1t
is full of figs, and has already ripened and dis
missed one crop tais season. This is the Sec
ond crop; they will ripen in September, and
Mr.. Garcelon informs us still another will come
before frost
This place is becoming quite noted and
fashionable resort for the people of the sur
rounding country. We visited it, in company
with gentleman from Sacramento, on Sun
day last, and found bar-room, porch and par
lors thronged with company. We trust it will
be considered no disparagement to the rest
/ to say that amongst them We were charmed BY
| the exquisite beauty of one lady and delighted
with the accomplishments of another. A walk
over the grounds in the evening, at the sof
hour of twilight and a stay over night, will
a thorough chance of testing the hospitalite!
of Messrs. Garceon & Allen, the excellen
hosts, lett us no cause to wonder that these
good people had thronged here from all tht
country round, for days relaxation and pleas
ant enjoyment. 1t is one of the most delight
ful places in the country, and capable of in
spring poetic feeling in the bosom of the mos
matter-of-fact "cuss" in the world 81
thought our Sacramento friend, in whose judg
ment the Peach Orchard ranch has no su
perior.
We avail ourselves of this occasion to re-
turn thanks to Messrs. Garcelon & Allen TO
numberless kind attentions and for fine as
sortment of specimen fruit
If the improvements and embellishments
contemplated are carried out, in two or three
wears from this time the Peach Orchard
will be one of the model farms on the Pacific
coast.
Besides this farm there are some twenty
/ others in the valley. The Assessor informs u:
that the taxable property in Salt Spring Val
ley amounts TO over Sl20,000. This is 9
pretty fair showing for so small community
when it is remembered that the settlement i;
yet in its very infancy. In ten years more we
should not be at all surprised to see the
wealth of this valley amopnt to S5oO,Ooo.
! A good school is much needed here, and il
is really astonishing that efforts have not YET
been directed to this end 1t would present
a great attraction to other families to come in
and settle upon the many vacant acres YET
open for settlement and inviting improvement
/ Whoever has not visited Salt Spring Valley
should by all means do so before the season
of fruits and summer is over The distance
from San Andreas is just l5 miles from An
gels, about IL. The roads are excellent for
carriages-not the least dust after leaving the
Stockton stage road at the Spring Valley
House