Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1883-05-24
AMONG OUR VINEYARDS AND
GRAIN FIELDS.
An Entertaining Trip Throughout
our Lovely valley-vernon. Flor
ence. Ranchito- Old Mission. San
Gabriel. Etc.

:
our Lovely valley-vernon. Flor
ence. Ranchito- Old Mission. sar
Gabriel. Etc.
Through the courtesy Of friend, q
HERALD reporter was recently given the
opportunity to explore some of the finest
and most luxurious portions Of our glor..
GUS county. and was well and thorough.
ly repaid by the trip, made behind real
go-ahead pair Of sorrels. Driving down
Alameda street, in the midst Of orange
groves and vineyards, is always en-
chanting, even to those who are weary
in the march Of life. In this case. the
drive occurred at most opportune sea
son of the year. The orange trees,
bright in their foliage, presented ar
attractive contrast of dark, green, deer
yellow, and pure white. The trees dc
not appear to be blossoming quite SC
heavily as usual this year, but this fact
is generally an advantage, in saving the
work Of plucking superduous blossoms,
and producing larger, sweeter, and more
valuable fruit On the contrary, the
numerous vineyards which align the
roads and thoroughfares Of that section,
are in the most lush and rapid growth
that eau be imagined. All Of the
vines, both young and old, are
remarkably healthy, and have
thrown out their 5razos to considerable
length, sometimes several feet, while the
multitude of buds are rapidly changing
into flowers, the luscious fragrance oil
which, in its season, rivals the orange
for sweetness. Not single account has
been heard from the owner or manager
OF any well-managed vineyard but that
is as cheering and hopeful as could be
wished for by the most sanguine. Buyers
of gra .,es generally state that, so far as
is now known. prices will rule similarly
to those of the past two years. AL
though there will be more competition,
there will be a much larger supply Of
excellent, high grade grapes.
From Vernon, through Florence, we
arrive at the magnificent principally Of
Mr.. Remi Nadeau, whose splendid prop.
erty is q sight rarely seen. His enor-
nous vineyard is in the finest condition
imaginable, and is good thing for East
ern and California croakers to visit.
With his accustomed enterprise. Mr..
Nadeau has winter-irrigated 5000 acres
of his land. making summer irrigation
unnecessary. and crop assured that
will exceed his expectations. Mr.. Ma
deau's grand eucalyptus grove, alfalfa
pasture and stock farm to the
west of Florence. are a beautiful
Landmark, and are sure means of coin.
ing money for the fortunate owner.
Thence along the line Of the old San
Gabriel river, on the west bank road.
past the old Vicente Lugo potrcro and
corn ranch, with magnificent view Of
the lush valley Of the two San Gabriel riv-
ers lying below, both north and south, the
section teeming with the most luxuriaut
crops. On all sides, it is picture wor-
thy the deliAeation of an artist. The
splendid Standefer & Dunlap property,
unrivalled for all kinds Of crops, and
thoroughly improved, appears next to
the right, and receives o gigantic zanja
containing more water than the zanja
madre of Los Angeles, which irrigates
the rancho and passes on to assist other
farms below. This is the celebrated
Ranchito, or Rancho Paso de San Bar
tolo Viejo, the finest corn country on
the Pacific Coast. The ground is just
being planted. and looks like deep
waste of arid sand, yet this land will
produce-it is all irrigated-from 65 to
100 bushels of corn per acre. 1t is a
veritable bonanza, the stalks of maize
frequently growing SO high that is nee
essary to pluck them on horseback.
Passing beyond this magnificent Sec
ton, we come to the picturesque locality
known as La Mision Yiea, the mission
founded by the Franciscan Fathers, and
afterwards removed to San Gabriel. The
old mission building is still extant, but
is rapidly falling into ruin. This lovely
valley is watered by the Arroyo Honda,
which rises near by, forms splendid
stream aud, lower down, becomes the
Old San Gabriel river. Notwithstanding
the capacities Of this place. its principal
products are beans, agaardiente, dances
and babies. Tho Californians who live
here have enough to satisfy their simple
wants, and care not for more. But i
could be made a paradise.
/ We next pass to the left Of those mos
superb Of Southern California potreros
the Potrero Grande, and the Potrero d.
Felipe Lugo, being well watered ant
timbered, and possessing splendid feed
Messrs. e. ]. Baldwin and Richard Gar
vey, are thor fortunate owners. Strik
ing out in the direction of the Mission
San Gabriel, we find grain to tn
right Of us. grain to the left o
U.s." etc. Most Of it look
well, much Of it nonpareil, Will
some planted where Dame Nature ha
left few dry streaks, looks badly. A
a whole the crop looks well, and far bet
ter than the most sanguine predicte'
three months since. 1t is unnecessar,
to mention the drive through San Ga
briel, and thence past the grand Shor
winery, home, but it is worthy Of re
rk that, whatsoever fault it may be
nine-tenths of the residents are ufterl
disgruntled because of the failure +
make the necessary arrangements TO
the cons ruction of the narrow gauge
now known by every one to be wan
long felt Pasadenans say they ''mourl
because they find it not.
The Mystery Cleared Up.
In response to the notice Of the find