Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-06-04
GIGANTIC rAas.Inc.


pany Elaborate Equipments =
Economical Plans OF Operating a
Great Farm = Enormous Wheat
Crop.
The Eastern readers OF the HERALD
have no adequate idea OF the magnitude
OF operations on the great California
farms, aud Of the great outlay thereon
for machinery and labor. Some idea
may be gained by statement OF the
operations Of a single grain rancho ad-
joining the city Uf Los Angeles. This,
the Lagupa Rancho, consists of little
over II 900 acres. OF which 10, 900 acres
are planted with wheat, go acres with
corn and l50 with barley. The rest of
the land. except the small lake, is used
for pasture for the work animals and for
the 400 hogs that harvest the stubble
fields. To carry ON this ranch requires
the active use OF
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY HORSES AND
MULES.
These animals furnish the motive
power to run "a gang plows, of six gangs
each, 8 headers Of 10 feet stroke, l8
header wagons, 8 moving machines,
reaper, a large dining car, that will seat
4j men, and q portable reservoir of
water that meets the teams in the field,
and by means Of hose and zinc troughs,
that are always carried on the tank, can
have dozen horses drinking in mo-
ment of time in the midst of a hot and
thirsty plain, far removed from any
natural water supply. This convenience,
so important to harvesters who are many
miles from water, is of great advantage
to our grain growers.
To accommodate these $50 animals a
hollow square has been formed of about
1900 feet of buildings for their shelter.
Here they are housed and fed during
blowing aud harvest, and the rest of the
time are turned into a rich pasture. The
period Of rest is very short, occupying
about two months in April and May, the
rest Of the time being occupied in reap
ing, heading, hauling grain and Flowing
for the coming crop.
Two powerful steam threshers are
kept for the use OF the rancho, and have
all the modern improvements. There
is also a small portable mill for
the grinding Of corn and barley. Within
the hollow. square or horse plaza, are
long lines oY water troughs filled with
water from high tank.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
The rancho lies in an artesian belt,
and in the center is small lake fed by q
subterranean source. On the east side
Of the lake an artesian well has been
sunk that sends up large stream of
pure cold water. This stream is carried
in q flume for short distance till suffi'
cient elevation is secured to propel hy
drnulic ram which throws a portion of
the stream into q tank about twenty
feet high that is protected from the
weather, and from which water is carried
to all the buildings under heavy pres
sure. The buildings include boarding.
house to accommodate 100 men, black.
smith and carpenter shop, and dwell
ling house where Mr.. j. Gilbert, the
Superintendent, resides with his
most accomplished daughter, Mrs. Bar
rett, who presdes with grace in this
mansion, removed for many miles from
any neighbors or acquaintance, the
only lady about the establishment
There are no saloons or liquors kept on
the rancho.
By the courte'y of Mr.. Gilbert and
Mr.. A. II. Denker, reporter of the
HERALD was driven all over the vast
massive grove of wheat now waving
like the water of an inland lake. The
growth is robust and enormous.
A PHENOMENAL CROP
Appears to be assured. The grain has
attained rank apd lusty growth that
challenges the admiration of all behold
ers. A sample of the grain, and not an
unusual one, that was gathered on the
spot is now in the HERALD office and
measures seven feet in height. Such q
growth would astonish anyone, except
in California. The stand is dense, and
the plant is darkly, deeply green, and
still growing. From a single grain forty
eight stalks were counted, with so grams
onastalk, making return of 3,S40 grains
from one grain planted. Good judges
estimate the yield at 40 bushels to the
acre.
100000 BUSHELS.
This amount would fill a train of cars
twelve miles long. This great crop was
planted in fifty eight days, and will, in
addition to furnishing the river of wheat
twelve miles long, can furnish 25,OOO
tons of straw, that wonld make paper
mill tired in using it up. So completely
appointed grain farm is probably no
where else to be seen, everything being
of the best kind, of the latest
improvement and everything that
can be desired for economy in labor and
speed of work is supplied in abundance.
The company carrying on this pros
porous enterprise consists of the follow
ing gentlemen: Mr.. G. II. Simpkins,
President of the Los Angeles Gas Com
pany, Messrs. Hammel & Denker, CT the
u. s. Hotel, Mr.. j. Gilbert, the Super
intendent, and Messrs. Paxton, Curtis
and Rigby of San Francisco. 1t isa
pleasure to see great enterprises carried
on with such precision, energy and wis.
dom. Los Angeles can claim the best
vineyariists and grain farmers in the
United States. The Laguna, the Cent?.
nela and the San Fernando grain ranches
are the best appointed and supplied
with the best appliances that the science
of mechanics and political economy
I'll Dant th,,., l..