Smyrna times., 1881-05-18
Home of the Angels.
THE GLORIES OF TIE CLIMATE AND COUNTRY
AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

After the middle Of October, rainy DAYS
are looked for, such as are common in
April and May, without thunder and
lightning, which are never known here
The cold is never sufficient to kill the
orange trees or the other semi-tropicaI
productions, though occasionally severe
trosts injure here and there hedge or
orchard. Winter is considered the best
season of the year, robes herself in gar
ments OF green, beautifully ornamented
with brilliant wild flowers in great variety,
seeming to rejoice that the long drought
has ended. This drought, however, is
very different thing from what one would
suppose. While the grass disappears and
the surface of the ground is parched, the
foliage of tree and shrub is as bright and
fresh as though washed by frequent rains,
and varieties of wild flowers, peculiar to
the dry season, abound. In winter the
oranges ripen and are harvested Straw
berries come naturally about Christmas,
and other berries are in their prime.
Then strangers come in large numbers to
enjoy the soft air and balmy weather and
the fruits. | can best give you an idea
OF the capabilities of the soil and climate
by describing Colonel HOLSTERS ranch,
near Santa Barbara, where it was my
privilege to spend few days recently.
Colonel HOLSTER has about 4 500 acres in
this tract, most of it used for sheep and
cattle grazing. His residence is large.
elegantly furnished, Supplied with every
Ia L
library, etc, situated in a glen at the base
OF the coast range, facing the sea. The
colonel settled here about ten years ago
and he has an earthly paradise, sure
enough. Fifteen thousand almond trees
will this year yield about fifty tons of
fruit; twelve acres of orange trees will
will produce about 2,h0O boxes Of fruit
ready for the market, although but eight
years of age. You would enjoy the
privilege of a walk through his well-tilled
orange grove, with its rich, dark green
foliage and great cluster Of green fruit,
surrounded by great hedge of euca-
lyptus and evergreen trees like wall
seventy feet high He has also large
walnut and pcrSimmon and olive orchards
the yield of which | did not learn.
About thirty men are employed on the
ranch and they carry on wagon-making,
brick making, biacksmithing, farming,
herding, buttermaking, etc. About his
residence is an exquisite flower garden
filled with rare plants. and over the /.
verandahs Irvine jessamines, roses and |
other vines in ever-blooming fragrance.
the whole like a gem in a setting Of date
palms of large size, while in front is an
open vista down the long carriage drive
to the ocean. The house is charmingly
located in the mouth Of a canyon, shell
tered from winds and fogs, at the base
of mountains nearly 1000 feet high.
Almost every variety of fruit and vegeta-
bles are grown upon the ranch, and game,
large and small, abounds Deer, wild
hogs, wild cats, coyote, quail, rabbits,
sqirrels, etc, are found without difficulty
on parts Of the plantation. and at nearly
every meal some of these are served upon
the table, the colonel's sons, with their
tutor, being early risers and spending an
hour or two in the hunt nearly every
morning. - Washington RepuJHcan.