Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-30
DIR. Glcnn's Ranch.
The LARGEST WHEAT FARM IN CALIFORNIA.
-Goosn KILLING PATROL.

"Jacinto Ranch" as the farm of the late
DIR. Glenn was tamiliarly called is one of the
most famous in the world. Situated in
Colusa county, on the banks of the Sacra-
mentG River, it extends along its windings
about thirty miles. of an average width of
five miles. Although not the largest tract in
the State owned by one person, 1t is supposed
TO contain the greatest number of acres under
cultivation. Ii is subdivided into twelve
pieces, each covering an area of 5000 acres.
These separate parcels were attended by
force of workmen, the deceased owner in his
lifetime personally experimenting everything
that was done upon his property.
Jacinto ranch was given great notoriety
some months ago by the publication in Frank
LesIie's Illustrated Week., of a series Of
articles concerning it, accompanied by wood
cuts of the most prominent scenes. Copies
of this paper circulating all over the world,
the farm became widely known, and the
details of its productions and methods Of
cultivation caused wonderment in Europe
and the Eastern States. where landed pos
sessions are on much smaller scale than in
California. One of the features dwclt upon
at length by the writers and angravers of the
New York journal were the ravages of the
wild ducks and geese upon the sprouting
grain, and the means taken by DIR. Glenn to
get rid of them. In many other parts of the
State as well as in COlusa county. these birds
swarm in myriads, and, resisting all ordinary
endeavors made to frighten them away,
devour the blades of wheat and leave the
f''ld actually depleted Of every article of
growth. When driven from one spot they
quickly alight at another, and it is but barely
possible to successfully cope with them.
On DR. Glen's ranch there is done some
thing which perhaps is not seen in any other
part of the world. The whole winter through
there are employed a number of men, greater
OF smaller as the season requires. whose sole
occupation is to patrol the ranch and keep
away these pests of grain growing districts.
They are supplied with horses and wild bore
shot guns and ride about firing at random
into the locks, killing incredible numbers.
During the sproutng season fifty men are
thus engaged
The deceased gentleman would be frequent
ly seen about, witnessing the games or
assisting at Oiling an axle. being not in the
least averse to manual labor. His sun
Drowned face and horny hands fully attested
this and made him loved ard respected by
his employees. The care and cultivation of
the GO 600 acre farm was also study possess
ing enterest, not only to the agricultural,
but on account Of the extensive scale upon
which it was conducted, to the general read
er as well.
Flowing is done by monster gangplows,
drawn generally by a team of eight horses,
but often by sixteen. An idea of the size of
the fields can be had when it il known that
in turning up the outside burrows the plow
that leaves point Immediately after break
fast returns to the same spot by dinner time.
After the middle meal another furrow Is
made only when work is again stopped for
supper. During the threshing season the
farm is literally alive with hustle and anima-
ton, the many stacks of grain that dot the
area upon which the eye could look for miles
and behold nothing save waving sea Of
standing wheat, each having beside it steam
thrasher, and a large force Of men. After
being sacked the products Of the ranch were
shipped in barges down the Sacramento river
to Port Costa and San Francisco. The res
idence of DIR. Glenn was always q welcome
place for friend or weary traveller, the latch
spring being at the disposal of either. The
host was always at home, and in quiet, un-
assuming way, ready to dispense liberal hos
pitality