, 1872-12-28
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
Letter Eron, an Old Chicago Resident
Now Living ut san Diego.
Correspondence Of The Chicago Tribune.

Letter From an Old Chicago Resident
Now Living ut San Diego.
Correspondence Of The Chicago Tribune.
SAN DIEGO, Cal, Dec. Is, 1872.
The future of San Diego is very bright. Tho
railroad engineers, having surveyed three dif-
feTent routes, will return from the mountains
east Of us in less than two weeks. The result
OF their labors VII then be sent to headquarters
at Philadelphia, for Ehe Company Of the Texas
Trans Continental Z Eailroad to decide which ono
OF these lines they will adopt. Colonel Scott
wero through with their surveys, he would then
begin work in earnest on this end OF the route.
There is now value in real estate, prices hay
ing advanced more than double since the advent
Of Colonel Scott Most OF the land near the
Court House is surveyed in lots and blocks.
Farther back, within a distance OF three miles,
land Gun be bought at from S25 to 300 per acre.
Lots on the principal streets aro being sold at
from 81 600 to $4,000. Land lying near the hax-
Dor is worth more than that back from the
water.
National City, abou. four miles south OF New
San Diego, has one Of the best wbnrves on
the Pacific coast. It was built by the Kimball
brothers, who own ak miles square OF as beauti-
full land as you would wish to see: It rises
Wow OF The bay, peninsula, and ocean, with the
islands in the distance, from 3 front
view; and Old Mexico, with Table
Mountain, directly south. Their land is called
National Ranch" Through this flows the
Sweet-water River to the bay. Its source is east,
il the mountaiug, nearly 80 miles distant. Its
banks are covered with q lno growth OF willow,
cottonwood, sycamore. and live oak.
/ am located on the bank OF this stream, about
nine niles from San Diego, and four miles from
the bay. We call our home g Bonnie Braes."
The beautiful hills that overlook the valley, with
tho mountains in tho distance, form a fine land
scape view. The beauty Of the scenery is great
ly enhanced by the setting sun, the lights md
sndes being reflected back with soft and deli
cately-tintea hues, varying momentarily, until
the last ray gently fades away. Our charming
sunsets are not surpassed even by those Of Italy,
as has been repeatedly asserted by those who
have resided in both countries
have been hero ono year and five months,
and have now growing on my grounds, in good
condition, $40 orange trees, 8 years old
100 apple trcos; 100 peach trees 160 soft-she1l
almona trees, with 8 good variety Of fig, pome-
granite, apricot, pear, plum, and cherry trees
also, nearly so, 900 orange and lemon trees grown
from ed.-sown last April and 1ay-which
vary in height from six inches to two feet. The
above have grown by irrigation; no rains have
fallen for eight months.
The valley is sometimes covered with frost
but, on the Mesa, or high ground, We never have
frost sufficient to affect tonlato-yines flowers
have 1abored under every kind Of discourage
ment On account OF the drouth, and OF not hay
ing correct knowledge Of the climate, soil, etc.
but I feel that shall have home in q few years
rain or no rain, which will fully compensate me
for my labors: Il. u. q.