Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-24

hedges all ablaze with bright blossoms.
Ben c. Truman. jolly anu rotund as or Old In
Newspaper Row, sun holds possessions in south
ern California and has great faith in its future.
but he has taken to himself Pacific wife. has
gone into railroading, and makes his quarters at
The Palace Hotel. San Francisco. John E.
Owens, the comedian. who started year or two
ago on round-the-world professional trip, but
who got no farther than San Francisco, where
he entered upon some mining speculationS, is
also to be seen almost every day at the Palace.
Los Angelo has piquant flavor OF Mexico and
Old Spain. Mixed with smart modern struc-
lures are the old adobe houses OF the Mex cans.
Chico, the last governor OF California under
Mexican rule. and who once owned prtLcely
possessions hereabouts, now occupies one OF
these squalid mud huts and let's one of its two
rooms TO Chinese washerman. The old mis-
sion church here, with its Mexican priests and
congregation OF Spansh-MeX GreaSers
ana Ind1ans, is a much more picturesque object
than the new brick cathedral. The saddle-horse
is still greatly in use here, and the high backed
Mt xican saddle with its immense decorated
sti1up feathers, is all prevalent. The style OF
guiding the horse is still Mexican: the rider
holding the bride hand high In the air with a
loose rein, while the gait is Invariably lope.
THE SAN GABRIEL FRUIT BELT.
An interesting day was spent in drive
through the famous fruit belt lying mainly
along the base Of the San Gabriel mountain,
about ten miles from Los Angeles The drive
also Included visit to the old San Gabriel
Mission, Uhe oldest mission church In Califor-
MAJ; the Pasadena colony three miles beyond
the mission, thrifty settlement by eastern
people something on the plan OF the HammOn-
ton and N1neland settlements in New Jersey;
and the Sierra Madre villa, hotel situated on
the foot hills at the base OF the Sierra Madre
mountains, 1900 feet above the sea, and where
the problem OF reclaimDg some OF the most in-
tractabe OF these wild foothills and converting
them into fruitful vineyards and orchards has
been solved. From the Villa view Is obtained
OF the Los Angeles valley, with its thousands
OF acres OF vineyards and orchards that is not
only charming to the eye, but tmpresSeS one
With the wonderful fertility OF the unpromising
looking country when properly cultivated ana
where water can be made available for irriga-
valley can support million people instead OF
the present forty thousand. There is only one
draw back to the realization OF this expectation,
aid that is the want OF water. Despite all pos
sble accessiOnS to the present supply by reSer-
Vo1rS ard aIteSian wells, ft seems 10 me that no
very large additional area OF ground can be
irrigated sufficiently for successf, cultivation.
Among the several extensive estates OF the
fruit belt" that OF Mr.. J.. j. Rose takes the lead
Tor the variety as well as the extent and wealth
OF Its products. 1t has the largest vineyard In
the world, probably, or over 900 acres, more
than half OF which is bearing. In the orchards
are 1000 orange trees, 5000 lemon trees and an
unenumerated quantity OF thrifty walnut,
almond and olive trees The product OF the
vineyard last year was 200, GOO gallons OF wine
and 1900 gallons OF brandy. This year Mr.
Rose expects TO make 800 600 gallons OF wine
and 100000 gallons OF brandy. His product of
oranges this year was but 5000 boxes, only
about a third OF crop, but as they sell for s3 a
box Ibis year against 81. 80 last year. he will not
fare SO badly in the net results. Mr.. Rose has
the advantage OF an abundant water supply
but In addition some $50 acres of his vineyard is
OF quality Of soil and sub-soil that does not
need irrigation, has never had drop OF water
applied; and there is no better vineyard any
Where. While Mr.. Rose conducts his vast es-
tate On strictly business principles, he finds q
place for the luxuries Of life. His show OF
stables, are something that even bonner might
envy. C.. S. Y,