Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-09
THE SAN JOAQUIN.
OBSERVATIONS OF TIE PRESENT AND
PROSPECTS OF THE FUTURE.
The Buhach Observation-Disclosures and
Use Of the PIsnt-Irrigation Works
New Railroad Projsot-Etc.

a trip through the upper counties in the
San Joaquin valley, made 8 few days since
by q representative of the REooRD-UNIOS.
gave forcible impression as to the extreme
undevelopmsut Of that section at thu present
time, and by reason Of It's fertility and loca-
ton. the almost limitless possibilities for it
sin the near future. There is 10 doubt that it
il favorable time Of the year to view its
broad acres and boundless fields, as they are
Just now unusually pleasing to the view.
when, in looking out from many places, it
seems the entire valley is one immense grain
field, and is reveling in the transition from
green to golden. Through the section trav-
ersed by the southern Pscif Railroad there
is but little of the country in view from the
train which is not SO clad, and as hour after
hour is sped by. and grain 6elds Of many
square miles each in extent, and apparently
extending from the Sierras on tbs one side
70 the coast range upon the other, is passed,
the richness of this natural bounty seems to
extend almost TO prodigslity.
The small am cunt of annual rainfall in the
valley. and the consequent frequent failure
Of crops, has alone held back this part of the
State from settlement and popular favor.
But it is not too much to believe that within
few wears this frequent failure will be
nearly or entirely overcome by irrigation,
and by more improved and enlightened
methods of cultivation and when this shall
have been accomplished the almost limitless
resources of the valley will render it in
wealth, and in population by that attraction,
W A. a. ! !
and greater empire of the Golden State.
The possibility of successfully irIiy eating a
large portion of this land is seen, when, even
in looking from the car window of pass
ing trains, the Stanislaus, Mokelumne and
Mercsd rivers are crossed within compare
lively few miles distance, running nearly
parallel down to the San Joaquin, and which
at the present time are flowing at full banks
and with great volume and rapid current.
The late melting of the mountain SHOWS ST
fords an unfaiing supply of water to these
rivers during the early summer months,
when most needed for irrigation purposes,
aud when these waters shall be converted to
| their full usefulness to man, in the line Of
aiding production and giving perpetual YER
dure to the valley, it will be seen that the
Sierrss hold in their rough stofehouse not
only mineral and forest wealth, but in its
snowy mantle, beneath a semi-tropical sun,
! the supplies for these rivers of life to the
valley, and the key to new Eden.
The largest irrigation works which have
heretofore been constructed, and where there
has been much contest as to water rights, are
! further south-upon King river, and other
sireams-but works are also beiog con-
s.ructed upon these rivers, in Stanislaus and
MERGED counter, and the waters carried to
widely-extended lands. The largest of these
i AknN IS .;
Canal Company, which takes its water from
the MERGED river, about three miles above
Suelling, and extends to near Ceres, on the
Southern Pacific Railroad, having length
of about thirty miles. In constructing this
canal tunnel 1900 feet long, and
with approaches three-quarters of q
mile, was cut through a spur of foot
hills, about five miles below the source
of the canal. The tunnel originally had only
the capacity for 100 cubic feet of water per
second, but is now bsing enlarged to 500 fee.
per second, being q feet wide and feet in
hight, exclusive of the arch. It is cut IN
pure hard-pan, which safely sustsins its walls
and ceiling. The enlargement is to give
greater volume in the old canal and also
afford water for branch which is to take the
direction of the town OF Mercsd and provide
water fer another very fertile and large Sec
ton of country. IL is claimed that the two
canals will have capacity for irrigating 200,-
900 ACRES. bat if even one-half of that amount
is furnished successfully with water from
them, the valuable results will be almost
Unreasonable. Ths company has $40 Ihen
employed in making the enlargement, using
teams, plows, scrspers and wheelbarrows,
Charles Barrett is in charge as engineer, and
j. A. Drake 80 Superintendent.
Tbs MERGED valley people are just now en-
ba ic
projected TO run from the Southern Pacific
road at Turlock to Snelling, or perhaps lit
tie higher, along the MERGED, with possibility
Of its some day being extended up the river
into the Yosemite Valley. The road between
Turlock and Smelling would be about q miles
in length, aud It is estin ated would receive
not less than 100.0 COO tons of wheat per an
nun from the section about the MERGED and
Tuolumne rivers. A large portion Of it
would, however, no doubt be manufactured
into -four in that vicinity and shipped as fin-
ished product. as the MERGED river affords
abundant water power. The present MERGED
City Mills, of which l.. Curtis is proprietor,
aud which are located about on5 and o half
miles below Smelling, are now making about
l6, 600 barrels Of excellent -four per year, and
is compelled to reach the market ct MERGED
aud other points in the valley and foothills
by use of teams.
Some Of the lands lying in the vicinity of the
railroad in the atoye-nsmed counties have
already acquired high value. Several
pieces near MERGED. which have thus far only
beea used as grain lands, could be sold FOR
from SIS to 500 per acre. The great draw
back to development and general increase of
the value, however-the usual one 10 this
State--is large holdings. One owner, J. W.
Mitchell, is said TO possess 175, 900 acres, and
= .kt M uuitb ata
estate he has not had time to think of s,cur.
ing home, but himself and family reside in
the end of q miserable grain warehouse y
the side of the railroad track at Turlock
His method is Co let his lands TO numerous
tenants, from whom he recsivss one-fou-th
or one.6fth of fhs grain yield, according to
condition Of contract, as yearly rental
THE BuHAoH PLANTATION.
One of the most interesting and noteworthy
enterprises in the valley is the buhsch plan.
tation, owned by j. D. Peters and G. N.
Milco. of Stockton, and located about mile
beyond Atwater station. There are $50 acres
in the premises, and he entire tract is under
a most perfect system Of irrigation, receiving
water supply from the Farmers' Canal above
referred to. but owing to the enisrgeme mt
work upon the canal the water has beea shut
of for some time past. producing very heavy
damages to nursery stock and plants.
and to vines put out tle past
spring. There ara 80 miles of main
and lateral bitches, win irrigation
system upon the plantation, rot including
the small bitches for d=tsil Of distribution of
water. These larger bitches entirely sur
round the place, and also cross it in twenty
seven parallel courses running one way, with
numerous ones again crossing these, and upon
both sides OF all these vater-courses. imme-
diAtely upon their edge, there has been planted
Io nbsrd and Carolina poplsrs. at intervals
OF afew feet, to the number of 100. 600 trees I;
also On the opposite side Of the same diteaes
40, 0o0 ibs.ket willows during tbs past
spring. Thess are intended primarily for
wind b.eaks, snd also the poplar for wood, aud
the willow brings quick aud profitable sale
for manufacture into basket and other wsres.
SONS Of the popisrs are now 10 ie3t or more
ia hight, and will soon form beautiful green
and EXTENDED forest, which even now stsods
out 10 bold relief upon the treeless plains,
aud in brief time will render the plscs the
admiration Of all who pass through the val