The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-07-06

5000 to 10000 sheep. In addition to
this immense showing they are purchas-
ing all the time, and nearly every large
band of cattle in Southern California
eventually comes into their hands.
From 20, 900 to 5000 of these cattle are
driven to the city every year from
5000 to 5000 calves, and an indefinite
number of sheep. To keep this supply
for the city constantly replenished re
quires large stock for breeding pur-
D 0ses, to supplement the outside pur-
chases. For the sustenaRce Of these
large bands of cattle an immense amount
of feed is necessary, and, besides the
pasturage,
THOUSANDS OF TONS OF HAY
are cut, during the season, from the
tillage area of the ranches In the San
Joaquin and Santa Clara Valleys. The
foreman of the Canal Farm informed
the writer that he expected to harvest
something like 5000 tons of hay this
season, and the Bloomfield and Santa
Rita Ranches viii gather together like
amount. All this viii be consumed be-
fore the grass on the hillsides and plains
appears again. The management of
the stock in the San Joaquin Valley is
presided over by major-dOmO, who
has under his direction from 80 to 200
vaqeeros, as circumstances require.
The agricultural force of the various
ranches is directed by foremen, who
have supreme control in their depart
ments, keep a regular set of books, and
return monthly statements to the main
Office in San Francisco, where tive
boek-keepers and collector under the
direction of Mr.. Lux manage the affairs
of the city department and keep the
final accounts of the country business.
Henry Miller has charge of the outside
business and does all of the purchasing,
besides having the general direction of
the farming operations and the move
ment of the cattle. The men employed
by the farm are variously estimated at
from 500 to 1000, comprising every oc-
cupation from common l2borer to book
keeper. Every thing is systematized
and every man knows his place. The
farm hands do every thing connected
with agricultural operations; the va
queros attend exclusively to the cattle;
certain number of hands ride along the
line of fences the year round to keep
them in repair. j ~ - .-r r.
TIE IRRIGATION WORKS .l
and general improvement of land have
a full complement of men; the sheep
herders are in department by them
selves, and then come the teamSters,
the blacksmiths, carpenters and repair
ers of machinery. Then the firm let
hundreds of acres of their land to rent
ers for certain proportion of the crop;
and all these, IS well as the regular
employees, are supplied from stores pro-
vided by the firm. At each ranch is q
complete depot of supplies, and here
the employee can purchase, at q tritie
above cost, every thing that he needs
from one years end to the other. So
well are the hands provided for that
they never care to leave the employ of
the firm, and when they do they invari-
ably return at the first opportunity.
Even the tramps and "blanket-strap-
persn that come along are well cared
for. They are given plenty te eat,
place to sleep, and if they feel disposed
to work are afforded an opportunity.
By this means the firm never lose any
thing by theft, for even the tramp re-
spects kind and courteous treatment.
In regard to the owners of this immense
prOperty-Messrs Lux & Miller-much
might be written. Both men started in
life without cent, and have worked
their common property up to
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN VALUE.
Mr.. Miller came to this city from New
York in 1850, engaged at once in the
butchering business, and prospered be-
yond the most sanguine expectations.
In 1858 the partnership was formed
with Mr.. Lux, also butcher, and from
that time to the present they have been
accommodating the immense territory in
the San Joaquin and Santa Clara Val
Ieys over which their herds of unnum-
bered beef cattle now roam. Both men
are hard workers, and the various en-
terprises they have inaugurated and the
amount Of money they have expended
in the last three years in the San Joaquin
Valley have done much to develop and
make valuable an immense area of the
plains. The firm is still purchasing
land wherever it is offeredfOr sale, and
at the rate of increase for the last two
years, the whole southern half of Fresno
County will be owned by them in fee
SimOlp ..