Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-12
Letter from California.

Letter from California;.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. Aug. /. 1873
The WHEEL CT FORTUNE.
The resources Of California are not to be ex-
ceeded by those Of any other state in the Union
ii er ratuIal productions are enormous. In min
era wealth she takes the lead. Bat in the face Of
her productions aud the advantages she offers, it
is not good State for poor men. A lsboring
man cannot make his salt. There is plenty of
land, but the rapacious land monopolist won't sell
on favorable terms. Corporations hold the poor
man in their power. Recently working man told
a clerical acquaintance of mine that 1.-THE Dutch
had got the corner groceries, the Jews have got
the money the Irish have got all the offices and
the Chinese have got all the work" There are a
good many grains of truth in til dec laration and
yet, while the poor men of this city stand so slim
show, it is fair to say that all the milionaires
here commenced life with nothing but their hands
and brains. Food, Msckay, Fair, Reese, Stan
ford Crooker, Cotton, Mills, Sharon, Parrott and
scores of others might name, counting their
wealth by millions, all began lite 10 California as
poor as a church mouse. There are one hundred
men in san Francisco to day whose aggregate
wealth is $500 900 600. In short the bulk of the
wealth OF the city is centralized in their hands.
All Of them are just 5 greedy TO get they
were anxious to get their first dollar and in the
tresdmil OF daily labor all Of them are just as
hard workers as the sons OF toll in the humber
walks Of life. If they go accumulatng as
they have the wealth Of some of these men will
exceed that of the Rothschilds. There are over
twenty millionaires who Irish. The wealth.
est men in san Francisco rs well as the State are
Irish. The wealthest savings bank is Irish; the
richest private bank is Irish; and the richest
church is Irish.
FRUIT CULTURE.
As fruit growing State California is taking a
leading position. The display of fruit in the
markets OF this city constitutes nearly all the va
reties grown in this country or in tropical climes,
and II makes ones mouth water to see as | see
every day such unsurpassed display of apples
pears, peaches, apricots, lemons, oranges figs, in
fine all the products of the garden, orchard and
vineyard. Fruit trees mature and come into bear
ing much earlier in California than at the East
Every year the number Of orchards increases.
The best fruit is raised in the foothills. Common
fruits not numerous they Were when the
planting Of orchards commenced, but better va
reties are cultivated The drying of fruit is
an important and growing interest. large
amount of dried and fresh fruits is sent East and
a market for the same is being found 10 Europe
IL the production Of grapes California possesses
climatic advantages over Germany, France and
spain. In many whey ard. the yield is from l0,-
900 TO 10000 lbs. OF grapes to the acre. The
poorest varieties OF grapes being fast dis
carded and vlney ardsts grating their vines
with better kinGs for wine and rsisn- maxi ny.
la few years it is believed that California will be
able to compete with the choicest vintages of the
Rhine and the Mosee districts. Nniculture
has already made such progress that it has be-
come one of tue ing industries OF the State.
Thousand Of acres ATE devoted to the raising Of
grapes, thirty millions of dollars are ln-
vested, and over A. 600 men are employed. Or
ange aud lemon trees grow in the open air all over
the State except in the high attitudes OF the Ser
ras. The orange is successfully grated and by
this means some Of the best vare ties Of this semi
tropical fruit are produced.
AN USHEALTY STATE OF AFFAIRS.
For over year there has been an unusual de-
have been reduced millions Of dollars. The agi-
tstion Of the labor question has caused a good
deal Of trouble. At one time, few months ago.
ii is estimated that there were soma 25 900 peo-
pie in this city in needy circumstances. There
has been good deal Of threatening talk made
and to-day spilt Of Communism prevails that
bodies no good. As one of the results real estate
is a drug IN the market. Vacant lots are cheaper
than they have been for years. Houses also, can
be built at much less cost. Only small houses
at moderate demands find tenants. First class
residence property at the present time don't pay
over three per cent. year the cost. There's
plenty Of money in the banks but 1t lies idle
Capitalize, are TIM There were some 200
ba'li ngs erected last year, but now building oper-
atlops have aim Isl come to a stand still There
are over 5000 ouil iings in the city and the pop
ulslion i. estimated at 10000 or about onethird
of the whole State. Wherever 20 see build.
ings fDf ont every hand. There are 5000
buildings vacant. Such a condition of things has
not been known 10 California for many years.
But the Cahfjruians are hopeful people and
they look f better times before the year closes
SHEEP IlCsBANDRY.
There are several III lions of sheep 10 California
TLey arc rai.ed in immense herds. have seen
hocks numbering thousands upon thousands of
animals. Wool growing is profitable industry.
some y 0JJ000 pound, OF wool produced
la" Year Til. var viii show falling off, on
account Of 50 many thousand. Of sheep dying last
year for the want of feed. a sheep rancho is an
Interesting sight. Those oxten,ively engaged in
the business think no'hing of owning ten aud
twenty Thousand head. One mal man know
owns lG 900 head, and his tract OF land on which
they feed humber, 60 ,O00 acres Il is nearly all
fenced. II takes forty miles of fencing TO incose
it. Eigh' hundred Of his and bucks cost him
$50 head; this whole flock be values at 81, 900
1t costs him $500 month 10 carry on his eslab-
lshment. Some thirty men are employed. The
sheep are divided into hocks of 200 each /;
every flock is under the care of pasore, and
every three Pasores is bacerios, OF overseer, and