Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-06-26
Lake Vineyard Tract.

A correspondent Of the San Fran
cisco Spirit of the Times, writes as
follows of the Lake Vineyard Tract:
A short time since you published
q letter from Los Angeles County,
but owing to lack of space l suppose
a part of it was left out. I re-write
and will send you again the I'M
published balance. 1t treats prin-
cipally upon the horticultural and
fruit-growing interests of the coun-
ty.
One of the most interesting fea-
lures of my stay here was a visit
made to Mr.. J. De Barth Shorb's
ranch and orange orchards. He is
one of the most successful orange
growers in the State, his fruit
bringing the highest prices in the
market. Latterly, however, Mr.. S.
has been paying most attention to
the improvement of the Lake Vine
yard Tract. In this tract there are
about 1850 acres of land that three
years ago were considered of little
or no value, but are now looked on
as the most valuable land in the
San Gabriel valley, made so by the
most complete system Of irrigation
in the world.
There are over fourteen miles of
iron pipes, from five to eleven
inches in size, running all through
it, with eight reservoirs, the largest
of them holding 2l,000,000 gallons,
the others holding 5000, 900 gallons
each. To supply these reservoirs
and pipes Mr.. Shorb has built u
concrete ditch over three and a
quarter miles in length, taking the
waters of the Arroyo Seco from
where they come out of q narrow
pass called DEVILS Gate. Here al
great expense and trouble he has
built q submerged dam, thereby
saving all the waters of the Arroyo.
This Arroyo is never failing
stream, fed by springs in the noun
tains. The ditch was pet scheme
of Mr.. Shorb's, and one that he
carried through against the judy
ment of many intelligent, practi-
cal men, who believed a concrete
ditch would prove failure. He
knew what he was about, however,
and completed the work, the result
being one of the finest and most
durable pieces of construction in
the country. 1t is constantly hard
ening, particularly beneath the
water, where it is now as firm as |
iron and much more durable, as it |
will never rust out. 1t has O car |
rying capacity of $4,000, 600 gallons
per day, and winds its way along |
the side of high, steep bluff.
A very pretty view is obtained
by standing at the DEVILS Gate
aud watching that ditch winding
Its way up the hill and on 10 the
plains above. l don't want to hear
any smiling or see any laughing
about it either; but If anyone has
any doubts about that water rum
ming up hill go and look at it, and |
IL they laugh then 1 will agree to |
give them my interest in the Lake |
Vineyard Tract.
The tract is divided up into ten
acre plots or homesteads, with
broad avenues between, to be sold
out to actual settlers, one share in
the water company to 60 with each |
plot. One thousand acres have al
ready been sold.
Much more could be said about |
this enterprise, but you will lack
space again am afraid. There is
a great deal in the country that
would be Interesting to write about,
but / forbear for the same reason.
The nursery business is very
important feature Of industry here.
4 visited the grounds of Mr.. Thos.
Geary and of Mr.. Lewis Wolfskill. |
They are marveIs Of beauty, and it |
would take a column to describe |
either. Imagine thousands upon |
of all kinds of fruit, nut,
shade aud ornamental trees. Any |
Dne coming to Los Angeles should |
not fail 10 visit the Washington
which are very beautiful
md interesting.