Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-01-01
Oowney and Los Nietos.

Commencing near FL Monte and extending
along the San Gabriel River in a southwest
erly direction for thirteen miles, lies the Los
Nietos country. which may be truly denom-
mated the garden spot OF Los Angeles Valley.
The land lays beautifully, sloping gently to-
ward the sea, making irrigation an easy task
with the waters OF the San Gabriel. The
lower portion of this district, however par
ticularly around Downey City, is naturally SO
moist that no irrigation is required. The SOIL
is rich sandy loan, susceptible Ct a high
state of cultivation. This fertile and attract
i've belt has been long settled. and the Oldest
ranches IN ii seem as prolific as those just
opened. There are tracts that have not lam
idle for a century, and there Is no perez pubic
dimnution in the yield of the crops
upon them. Corn, barley, rye and potatoes
are the staples, while frult-gr"Wng ls max
ing good progress. 1he yield of corn is from
Is to l25 bushels to the acre, the outside hgures
not being by any means exceptional. oats
also claim some attention and attain Inc
hight of seven feet, yielding well. The
preference given 10 barley for feed, how
ever has tended to discourage the growth of
oats. The yield of barley Is often as high as
rs bushels per acre. Castor beans are exten-
siyely cultivated and the yield Is very large
Tobacco IL also now grown. The product the
past year being about 40,O00 pounds. The
soil and climate are peculiarly adapted TO
this plant, and as soon as the curing OF 1t In
properly understood, it will become source
OF great wealth. AS much as 5000 pounds has
been cut from a single acre, and two good
| crops per annum are assured. The average
| yield is probably 1000 pounds. While this
| seation Is so well adapted for farming, il Is
| also fitted for the various fruits of both the
| temperate and torrid zones. At either ex-
| tremity are magnificent orange groves, and
| the young orchards planted throughout the
| district are thriving. Peaches, apples april
| cots and pears have been grown for many
years. Lands so productive have Of course
| been in great demand, and prices have ad-
| vanced proportionately with other localities,
| from $50 to Sl50 per acre being the current
! rates, with very little for sale. Last year we
| called attention TO the low prices at winch
| gt )d land could be had there, $50, but these
| opportunities are now thing OF the past.
| Tho newcomers who have witnessed the
| wonderful fertility OF these lands have pur-
,ch ,sed about all that was vacant, and values
| are consequently enhanced. Some nifty new
! farms were opened the past year. The sea-
| son Just closed, despite the fact that it was
| dry, was very prosperous one IN Los Nietos
--iull crops being harvested.
%Downey City, located on the Ahaheim
branch of the S. T.. X. r., twelve miles from
Los Angeles, is the shipping point of large
portion of this district, and shows degree OF
prosperity commensurate with that or the
surrounding country. The extension of the
railroad 10 Anaheim has in no manner re-
tarded her progress, but on the contrary, her
popu alton has gone on increasing and her
business is in excess oflast season. Her ship
ments of grain now nearly reach 100 900 bnsb-
| els annually Several new buildings have
been erected during the year, including tho
Baptist Church. There are two public
schoolsn the district, and the Inst tute neal
Downey Is proving an etiic'ent element In
prosperity are united in los Nietns and its
, business centre, and they must continue tt
! progrsss In the future as rapidly as In the
past.