Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-22
IcoRREspoNDENcE OF THE DAILY srY.l
Los ANGELES, June 10, 1877;

/
Francisco, and ranks next in the state to Sacra-
mento and Stockton, it is worthy of a more mi
mute and extended sketch. 1t is situated in the
valley of the Los Angeles river, about four hun
dred miles from San Francisco, and ten miles in
land from the ocean. The river has its sources
in the mountains lying some forty miles east
ward, supplied at this season, and in fact from
March TO November, by SHOWS melting in the
| sun and by springs. The bed is broad aud shall
| low, and the current now is but brooklet
| coursng in a winding way here and there over
| it between the brooks, so shallow that we ride
readily across without any bridges; though,
during the winter rains, fording is sometimes
| impossible and often dangerous. Soon bridges
will be built over the main highways in the city
limits. AT present there are nothing but foot
walks.
No use is made of the water excepting to sup
ply the town for domestic uses and two -four
ing mills, but in irrigating the vineyards and
gardens along its course. So level is the sur
rounding country that water bitches Tor in the
common local Spanish term-"Zauas'') are
built miles in length by the city, and water
companies for conveying it to individual pro-
pIlClOIS NIbtG IL Is SOlu at regular 10 COLI
sumers This is reduced to a system as regular
as the supply from Leicester reservoir or Cochit-
uate
Water is more than golden" in many places
in California, because where it is not, farming
and mining cannot be carried on, and the
staple interests of the country lanquish and
die for want of water. Lately ] have been over
lands where the black loom goes down, over
thousands of acres, for thirty feet that can be
purchased for five and seven dollars per acre,
| while those tracts adjoining which are moist
| from springs, or can be irrigated from streams,
are worth fifty and sixty dollars per acre. There
| fore, water, not quality of soil or location,
makes the prices. Experiments are being tried
| with arteSan wells to remedy this; but thus
far, with Indifferent success, save near the ocean
shore. New corners seek and purchase moist
lands and irrigable tracts first The conse-
quence is that the country is settled in spots,
while immense sections still remain without
settler. But science-skill in the adaptation of
crops TO soil and climate, will over
come this, at present, great obstacle. Re-
gently passed a farm OF several hundred acres,
where the owner had lost his entire crop of
grain and corn the past two years from The I'M
usual dry seasons; but this year he has planted
hundred acres with cotton. near neighbor
has grown it with much success, and-he hopes
TO do the same. 1t is found that cal fdl fd," or
Spanish clover, will grow on the dryest soils,
alter two years start, and grow four or five
good crops annually of the finest feed and
hay.
Orange trees need water about four years,
until the roots go down deep, and then the most
thirsty season is harmless, and they produce
| yearly, without fail or cessation, an excellent
| and full frutage. So might be enumerated the
results which experience is showing that man
can overcome and cheat" the moods and tricks
of nature, and convert uncertainty to regular
and sure growths. For these reasons agricul-
tural necessity, not manufactures and commerce
determined that this so called lin Spanish Getty
of the Angels'') should be located in an unfail-
ing river bed, where the primal needs of
jewellers in a dry and thirsty land could be
met.
Westward, toward the Pacific, is gently
slOping plain; to the northeast and eastward
are the foot hills and coast range of mountains,
forming beautiful and charming background.
| Always the transparent blush haze
| wells them, adding fascination to their
beauties. In all directions, in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the town limits, are
vineyards, orange groves and grain fields
wheat, rye, barley, corn. The deep and rich
colored green of vines, foliage, and waving
corn leaves is in agreeable contrast to the SHIN
mering yellow of the grains, while the pastures
are n dusky brown, roamed by thousands of
horses, cattle and sheep in charge of herders
As yet, there are few fences, excepting the rows
of willows that protect the vineyards.
Nearly a hundred years since, when Jefferson
was writing the declaration, and the colonies
were talking separation from the mother land,
Spain sent ont her missionary priests under the
protection of government escorts to attempt TO
ciyilize the Indians and raise the national colors
in foreign and unconquered domain. Among
the first settlements by this semi-religious and
Semi-ciyil delegation of pioneers, was the Pueblo
of Los Angeles, named in honor of the natural
advantages and attractions which the explorers
found
Near by where we are writing, is the ancient
church, still standing preserved and occupied
Sundays and feast days by a Catholic congrega-
ton. 1t is one-story structure, built of sun
dried bricks, with a concrete or asphaltum
floor and whitewashed walls. In its rude bel
Try hangs chime of bells that every hour
peals out merry, but dissonant Jingle; and at
stated times plays the church melodies I'm
der its dingy roof gather the dark.skinned
Mexican and Spanish raucheros and herders
from the valleys; and the fair-complexioned
Castlian senoras and senoritas, or the matrons
and maidens from the caste of the country
Among the groups are the swarthy Indians
still in their native looks, but American dress
bowling and kneeing so obsequiously and with
such child.like confidence to the tinsel and
rituals Of the altar. Wthal, it is an instructive
and entertaining SOMEONE that impresses a
visitor accustomed to simpler services-and is a
volume of history and philosophy in itself In
the town are five Protestant churches-each
about the size Of a New England district school
house-in themselves proofs Of the independence
OF thought aud conviction on theological mat
tiers, and the enterprise and progress OF Protest
ant peoples. Slowly the descendants of the old
time settlers are growing out of their low-roofed
iDgs which the American element has built at
their doors. IT'S philosophy teaching by cx-
ample
Last wear was built business block with an
iron frame cast here, in style and thorough
ness that would reflect credit upon Boston or
Worcester. Whatever they attempt to do well
in California will bear off the premium The
principal business is with the miners and farmers
of the interior, and New Mexico and Arizona
There are three daily papers, and one weekly in
Spanish. Two of the dailies are democratic.
and one republican. BY the by, most of the dem.
ocratic papers in the state are Greeleyzed, while
the entire republican press, with two exceptions
sustains Grant and Wilson. Our Massachu-
sets senator seems 10 strengthen the ticket.
The schools are excellent, and special attention
is paid them by the government and the citizens
an indication Of the spirit of the population
and promise Of the future.
The hotels are among the best-which are al.
ways good in California Unusual attention is
given to this department wherever the traveller
The pinn hnuga rtu,o1 h, onI ,,,,.,,1