Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-11-19
From Southern California

ASAHEIx, CAL, Nov. l, 1875.
To the Editor Of the Free Press and Times.
The voice of tho tourist, and the Invalid,
and the c.ank of the returning wild goose.
are heard in the land, and by these same
tokens. and by no other. arc we aware that
in Northern and Eastern climes, the " mel
aucholy days have come" Tropical heat
has been the order. for good part OF Dc
tober. 1t seemed as if Acapulco had moved
north. with a schorching blast from Sahara
gratuitously added. We hear of some per-
sons. interested no doubs for the credit Of
the country. and perhaps in real estate,
who threw cold water on their thermome-
lers to tone them down. But where the
mercury was allowed to proceed on It's up
ward course unmolested. it reached Its
highes. at ITO degrees in the shade. For
many days the range for six hours in the
middle of the day was from 90 to l0i de-
grees. The nights were cool, and at SIX
o clock a. IN. the thermometer was about
81 degrees. Now the heated term seems to
be over. and one mus: be very hard to
please who can find fault with the beautiful
weather we are having, and that we have
every reason to expect for sax months to
come. Farmers are blsy harvesting corn.
which has had nothing to do but ripen and
div On the stalk and is of course in excel
lent condition. Corn and wine are the
leading products of Los Angeles county.
which takes the lead olany county in the
State in the production ofcorn, and Is second
only to one ,Souoma in wine. Grapes are very
abundant and cheap, Mission grapes selling
to the wine makers at $50 per ton,
price that hardly paws for the labor OF
picking, and luscious rai~in grapes at
two cents per pound.
As yet there is no reliable market for
perishable fruits, at q paying price. CALI
fornia is eminently fruit producing State
and the supply exceeds the demand. But
if you wish to purchase fruit at stall in
Los Angeles. you will very likely nave TO
nav more than in Vermont. Tor nearly
everything but grapes Last Winter. one
was obliged to pay more for inferior or
anges at retail, III a city where the trees
were laden with the fruit than in almost
any Eastern market. Orange culture is
probably the most profitable Of any branch
of husbandry in this county. The profits
are represented by such large numerals "a
TO be almost beyond belief. But let no in
nocent emigrant for moment suppose he
can possess an orange grove, without CIV
ing Its equivalent, in either good solid coin,
or untirlng vigilance. patience. industry,
ana perhaps eight OF ten years time, If he
pruposes to raise it himself Desirable
lad with water, which Is Indispensable,
will cost at least $50 per acre, and the
trees for planting from SIS TO $50 per
dozen. Inc work is just commenced then.
Ii must be cultivated as thoroughly as
garden. and there are gophers and SPUR
rels beneath the soil, ready tn destroy the
Young tree az the root. and tho rabbit
above ground waiting TO strip 1t OF the
bark. The experience of many j. like that
of " Old John Smith writing from this
section TOR the New York Evangelist. lie
says he planted trees anu vines, and a.
in duty bound prayed Tor success, and the
rabbits and gophers also prgsd and beat
him ten to one. But perseverance does
win in the end, and young orange or
chard not vet 10 bearing near Anaheim has
been refused at 81 600 per acre. OWING to
the genial climate, all kinds OF iruit can be
successfully cultivated, a. well As barley.
potatoes. hops, castor beans, 6c-, IN short
nearly everything that can be grown either
10 temperate or tropical countries.
Notwithstanding all this. the eountrY is
not wealthy neither Is there the general ap-
-, - 40
Gu STONED In see in prosperous agricultural
districts in New Ensland. One great need
y the lack Of water. which T. supplied 10 a
limited extent by irrigating canals from the
few sluggish streams. that wander across
the country, sometimes visible % the eve.
and sometimes seen only by the eye OF
faith, their waters having sunk in the
sands. to reappear. however. farther on
their course. Arie>ian wells ensure pTu--
perity to the farmer, but in some places It
needs the service Of water witch % eoa-
bic one 10 strike water. There - 40 gene !
raj system of irrigation. Bu; tas subject !
J. much discussed. and Il Is hoped viii be /
brought before the legislature tor action.
There l. also a lack OF capital q develop
the resources supplied By nature. large
proportion OF the settlers bring very little
with them, some not even firm health. and
" lille the actual necessities Of life are cheap,
the luxu-ies. or what in older states we
call comforts, are beyond their reach. /
Building materials are very expensive, and /
the markets for many things uncertain I
with these difficulties to overcome. the poor I
man can DO little more, for some time. than /
live comfortably. The facilities for trans /
portation are improving rapidly. The |
Pacific Railroad Company, are !
pushing their lines in all directions, and |
promise to have railway Communication be- /
tween here and San Francisco next July. /
as well as the road 10 Arizona well under ,
way. Senator Jones L Co. arc building I
road to the Panamint mines. and the larses; /
steamers may touch their wharf. at the 4
water terminus. the new city Of Santa !
M0rica. OF course these things must 4
greatly Increase the prosperity OF the coun- /
Try, ami mGks a. perhaps, what many |
claim Tor it now, the garden Of the world. |