Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-11-02
Written fsr Tie Noaitor-
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
%. a. rS-x

Los ANGELES. Oct %. 1874
In the land of vineyards and orange
orchards, one cannot help contrasting /
this climate and these scenes. with the !
Accomplishments of tropical fruits, with
the climate scenes and fruits of our rug
ged New England. To many, the change
and its associations is agreeable. while
Others prefer the beauties Of the Eastern
States yet | think. by far. the larger.
part that come here from the East, pre-
for it to their colder homes they have
left As many Eastern people are talk
ing Of this county for home. few
statistics may be of interest:
1t is yet comparatively new. having
been publicly known but a few years
OF the available lands in the county Of
Los Angeles, there are 100000 acres Of
corn, the land needing very little irriga-
ton; 200. 900 acres suitable for raising
all kinds of semi-tropical fruits, which
can be irrigated from running streams
and wells The population Of the eoun-
ty is nearly $4,000. of which the city
Of Los Angeles has 10000 Anaheim,
originally colony of Germans, has
population of 1900. and Is one Of the
most thriving villages in the State 1t
Is almost exclusively engaged in the
grape and wine business. Land suitable
for fruit growing, IS worth from $50 70
$50 per acre; corn land Is worth less.
Here, all in one lot, you may see grow
ing. apples, pears. peaches. plums, quin-
ees. prunes, oranges. lines. lemons, al
monds, olives, figs. walnuts and grapes,
!: in all varieties. Grape growing and the
manufacture of wine, forms one Of the
principal industries of the county: one
manufacturer alone, Mr. Keller, will
; make. the present season, one million
gallons of wine. paying SIS per ton al
the press for grapes At this price, the
! vineyard owners will just get pay. fol
e the time and cost of raising the grapes
Many wine users prefer the California
wine to that imported from France. j
J. being heavier. Prices are from 90 cent
n to sl-50 per gallon Oranges this yea
= are very large, and viii be ready 70
'e market in January: though one can Sc
Is ripe fruit on the trees at any time. L
: the Spring, blossoms and green and rip
n oranges may be seen on the same tret
of was told by orange-growers, that til
re crop alternates: one year the fruit
'n small. with a great many on the tree
the next year they are few in numbe
and very large Lemons do well her
but are being fast superseded by Il
hines, which are smaller, but much be
ter for many purposes. Other fruits a
4 better here than they are east of t
Rocky Mountains, with the exception
nj
apples, which, to ny mind and tast
". are inferior to those raised in Aichig'
ere or New England. They grow very larg
but lack the favor and juiciness of t
us apples raised in colder country. 7
4. climate Of this county is very fine,
as having become favorite winter reso
.t' which nearly all comes in December a
- January. The summers are long a
ion dry, and puts me- in mind of the farm
On who said it was 50 dry. that be had
the soak his hogs to make them hold swil
le'- This place, as well as Santa Barba
: farther north, Is fast becoming a pl;
zeal Of resort by pleasure-seekers- The es
a est and best way Of reaching here
am present, is by steamer from San Fran,
.ne co, as there is no railroad compile
nth as yet, though it soon will be for ]
IL ing in stages In the summer here, is v
unpleasant business. The only hart
9ec' San Pedro, is much exposed and IN:
80. In winter: but has been improved by
the construction Of breakKater, at an el
NOUS expense, by the Q. S. goyernm
new From bere my journey lies through
OH .'World-renoBnei. natural wonders of
!, Pacific coast, :" Of which more at anoi