Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-07-04
LETTER FROM SAN LUIS OBISPO.
A Huge Estate - MILK Growing and
Butter Making-The RanchOs.

Somewhere, about thirteen years
ago, upon Puenta Reyes, in Marin
county, three brothers engaged in the
occupation of dairying. By many it
was considered an uphill business, but
as time rolled along the name of the
brothers became common among
the moneyed men of the country.
The tickle goddess smiled steadfastly
upon them; gradually, almost imper-
ceptibly, the power began to exceed
the weight, and about the year 1864
the name of Steele Bros. flashed upon
the markets of San Francisco as one
of the most successful dairy firms of
the Pacific slope. About this time
one of the brothers was called upon
by the people to fill the position of
County Judge; and for four years the
name of Hon. George Steele was syn
onomous with the quintessence of
honor and legal discrimination. In
the year 1866 the interests of the
brothers in Marin county were dis
pos d of, and the firm immediate u
California-a region which was just
settlers and assume prominent posi-
ton among the list of " El Dorados"
of the Pacific slope. After Il careful
Piedra," "Pismo" and "Bolsa de Cha
misal," situated in this county and
aggregating something more than
forty thousand acres, were purchased
by the brothers and one of the most
Herculean tasks of the kind that has
ever been undertaken was inaugu-
rated. Success has attended them in
almost every venture, and to-day there
is scarcely q market in the world
where dairy produce is sold but is fa-
miliar with the name of Steele Bros.
During the residence of Judge Steele
in San Rafael the writer made his ac-
quaintance, and sitting to-day in the
ranch house, enjoying his hospitality,
l can hardly realize that nearly one
fourth of the years commonly allotted
to man has so quietly passed away.
THE RANCHES
Lie in the San Luis Obispo Valley,
about five miles east of the town
of San Luis Obispo, and embrace one
of the most fertile agricultural dis
well-wooded and watered. Numerous
large streams, flowing out of the
mountains, meander the valley from
northwest to southeast, rendering ir-
rigatiOn, unless in an exceedingly dry
year, entirely unnecessary. Fruits Of
various kinds flourish finely, and in
the more sheltered localities oranges
are being successfully grown. In
few years l have no doubt the valley
will be second to none in the produc-
ton of most of the semi-tropical fruits.
MANAGEMENT OF THE HUGE ESTATE.
Almost the first thought occurring
to the visitor is, can this immense
tract of land be proftably handled ?
This was the question 1 asked myself,
and after careful examination | am
compelled to answer in the affirma-
tive. The most perfect order and
precision is noticeable in the most mi
mute details, and strict double-entry
account kept of every transaction. a
young man being employed for this
purpose. There are about three thous-
and acres under cultivation, two thous-
and of which is devoted to the pro-
duction of barley and wheat, the re-
mainder to corn and potatoes. Wheat
grows finely, yielding from twenty to
twenty-five bushels per acre. Rust is
is comparatively unknown.
DAIRYING.
Although the larger portion of this
immense tract is admirably adapted
to agriculture, the principal part is
used for dairying and stock purposes.
The brothers own upwards of four
thousand head of cattle; two thousand
of which are dairy cows. The ranch
is divided into six dairies; and l am
assured by Mr.. Hemphill, the
book-keeper, that the net receipts
per cow during the past season
were fifty dollars; gross in excess
| of seventy-five. To carry on this i'm
mense business requires the steady
employment of hundred men. There
| are upwards of one hundred and fifty
miles of fence, and the value of the
buildings may be safely estimated to
be worth twenty thousand dollars. OF
course there is a considerable amount
OfIumber required to keep the fences
and buildings in repair, and for this
purpose $4,000 were expended during
the past year. Notwithstanding, the
enterprise has proven financially q
success, beyond the most sanguine ex-
pectations of it's progenitors. The care
and anxiety consequent upon the con-
stantly increasing business of the
ranch, has induced the owners to offer
for sale a considerable portion. With
this object in view, the entire tract
has been subdivided, and is now of
fered for sale at prices varying from
| one dollar and TWENTY-FIVE cents to