Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-04-17
gus Sueeles 9sm'A
across tho country ON norseDack.
From the Santa Monica Outlook.

From the Santa Monica Outlook.
In company with DIR. Thomas,
of Los Angeles, and Mr.. Richard
son, of the steamer Hassler, we
crossed the country last Saturday
on horseback, our objective point |
being Downey City. The appear
ance on the entire route was invi- |
ting in the extreme. Every emil
hence crossed was but new stand
point for charming picture. The
most artistic eye would have been
set into I" fine frenzy rolling" Nor
would the most prosy utilitarian
have been less interested. There
were evidences of plenty every
where. The untitled plains were
covered for miles and miles with
Vast fields of waviBg grain, in
every stage of growth, were spread
out in some directions as far as the
eye could reach, giving evidence of
o bountiful harvest near at hand.
But it will perhaps be more salts
factory to some to particularize. AS
soon as the suburbs of Santa Mon.
lea were passed, we encountered
evidences Of tillage, and 80 1t con-
tinued to the end of our journey.
The raius have been so liberal as to
make a crop possible anywhere.
Hills and plains alike are covered
with growing grain. At present a
larger portion of the crop is barely,
but there are many evidences of
preparation for complaining, even
on the highlands. From Santa
Monica to the Ballona, several
thousand acres have been sown to
barley. In the Ballona section,
which is productive in any season,
there will be a great diversity of
growths-small grain, corn, garden
stuff of all kinds, berries and fruits.
Hog-raising and the dairy are also
important industries.
Passing the Ballona, We came to
the Centinela plains. At present
this Is the great grain-growing Sec
tion of this end of the county. AT
one sweep of the eye at least 10000
acres of barley were visible, and
further toward Wilmington, we
were told, some 5000 acres of
wheat were spread over the plains.
AS we approached Compton the
lands titled are subdiyided into
smaller tracts, and the owners are
engaging in a more diverse culture
fruit orchards are receiving con
siderable attention. The village
which is located on the worst lands
exhibits very little growth, al
though it is the centre of good To-
cal trade-being railroad station
aud tho Y,nint frOn, hinh n G
ranchers draw their supply of lum
Der, as we'll as dry goods and gro
ceries. There is one notable i'm
provement, however, a grist mill il
being erected whose machinery is t.
be propelled by the streams from
artesian wells.
A short distance beyond Comp
ton we entered upon a stretch o
country extending towards Los
Angeles and Wilmington and in
GLIDING Downey, which is par eX
cellence the home of the small gen
eral farmer. The land is highly
productive; artesian water can b.
obtained in many localities at 6
depth of from eighty to three hun
dred feet, the lay of the land ant
and proximity to two rivers rendel
irrigation easy from these sources
while experience proves that but
little or no irrigation is required
save in exceptionally dry seasons
Barley, corn, alfalfa, pump
kins, beets, hardy (and il
some localities semi-tropical
fruits and garden vegetables all
attain to an enormous yield. 1t /!
unnecessary to say that stock ant
poultry do well in such section
1t is the hogs paradise. If the
farmer chooses he can have a grow
ing fence, and supply himself will
wood by keeping it trimmed. These
lands range in price from $4(
TO $3.50 an acre, according tC
location and special advantages
They are being rapidly occupied
and in few years we predict thai
many unfortunate communiiie:
afar off, in years of drouth, will
come down into this Egypt anC
bountifHlly provide themselve!
from its rich products.
When we reached Downey il
the afternoon, we found tina
burg" quite lively. Ii is already
an important LEGAL center, and il
has most inviting prospect alb cad
We saw many evidences OF gro with.
A number of residences have
been erected since our visit Of
half year ago, and al
imposing educational edifice now
towers up it the suburbs q
the town. The country around the
town is thiekly settled already, and
additions are being constantly
made by the permanent occupants
Of that splendid agricultural Sec
ton. We can see nothing hut evil
dences of a most encouraging future
for that part of the country.