New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-08
THE PALO ALTO RANCH.
EX-GOVERNOR sTANFORD'S PRINCELY DO
MAIN.

Governor Stanford In regard 20 the founding OF an III
dustria university Palo Alto in memory Of his son.
which appeared in yesterdays TRIBUNE, and which
was specially tclcgraphed ont here 10 Tho Chronicle
created great interest only mere rumor of the Gov
erors plan had reached this city that the details
Of bis proposed generosity in the nature of news
which interested a large part of the public. visit
had been planned by to the Pao Alto ranch on the
day this account appeared, and this place IL to he
the site of the future university, where the toys az
girls Of California nay be trained in useful handworH
facts about the place will perhaps not be without
interest.
\ good many years ago the Governor bought this
ranch which is situated on gently rising ground about
a mile from the village of MenlO Park on the line Oh
the Southern Pacific railroad thiry-two miles from
this city. 1t derived its name from huge pine tree
which stands the side Of the gateway and when "a
landmark at a distance of many miles. Inc
broad weli-,haded avenue which sweeps MP to the
comfortable house. is bordered the right as one
enters, by prct creek, which in winter Is sveed by
the rains to stream Of fair proportions On the other
side is the ample lawn, dotted with ornamental trees.
There an air of quiet and rcpoe Nature and not
nan had planned these grounds which is not common
in such suburban homes. No attempt has been made
to indulge in the coHcits Of landscape gardening in
word everything is the reverse of artificial
HANDSOME BUILDING SITE
The house is low, tvojtory cottage, its ample porch
covered with climbing roses 1t Il surrounded by
beautifully arranged grass plots in the rear are num-
erous outbudng- for servants, very extensive con-
seryatogy and forcing house, ample kitchen garden,
a nursery of rare trees and ornamental shrubs. Over
to the right Of the house beyond peach orchard, IL
the site which the Governor had selected before bis
departure for Europe for fine, new house The ex-
cayaton for the foundation and cellar was made; ana
the earth at the front and sides was rids'd up ana
packed if for the rampars of fort and the ground
was prepared Tor thorough drainage. Then it was left
and Nature soon coyere it with fine growth Of grass,
so that when we drove Up the froat rampant yes
erday it looked like the grassgrown deserted forts
which the Spanards erected in early days at various
points along the coast.
This will probably be the site selected for the uni
verty and certainly no more picturesque could be
found in this charming valley. Three noble avenues
have been laid in front Of th. site extending to the
main highway about third Of 4 mile away. Follow
inc the one at the left the Is led -rd ght 90 Mount
Diabo thirty miles Of san Francisco. and the most
considerable peak in the coast range the main avenue
is laid ont on n line with Tamllpais rugged summit
of the irregular ridge of mountain, in Marin County
across the bay from this city while the third avenue
leads in the direction Of tie lot springs in the Santa
Cruz mountains in which the Governor is Interested
The horizon is marked by the faint blue line OF the dis
taut coat range, while turning sharp around. one may
see the gently rolling hills dotted with live oaks,
and another spur Of the coast range near at hand their
SUBMITS clearly defined With tai pines looming darkly
against the cloudless blue sky
A FAVORED LEGALITY.
The land slopes gently away tie turnpike, which
runs parallel with the railroad. Along the avenues
have been planted borders OF ornamental plants. Here
il was the oguers intention To establish 'gboretun
on a scale unknown in this country. Ills design was to
demonstrate how many choice varieties of American
and foreign shrubs aud trees could be made to flourish
in th. fine soil and under these gt'al skies In this
As i'm so many of his undertakings lac had the good Of
the public in view, using his vast wealth To conduct ca
pcriincnt, on seal. 80 costly that ouly co. ernmens
hlyo hitherto attempted them. But now the arboretu,
which already boasts of many plants and trees, has
been abandoned and in its stead Will rise the walls Of
college which II carried OIt in the spirit outlined by
The protector Will be unrylIled in this country in its
capacity for practical good.
Certainlvuo location could he better adapted than
this for the experiment Of m Industrial school With
no additional preparation the Pllo Alto ranch would
furnish mean. Of instruction in halfdozen branches
of science a.I with the great wealth and liberal views
of the founder. there scru, scarcely limit To the
facilities for practical education which the place may
bc made 70 afford. The climate i. - kindly that one
may work I'm tle open air throughout th- year; hard
frost. unknown and Roses bloom IN mdvlntcr; the
halt of summer l. tempered hy cool br.e:e- from the
ocean -horu of an their chill and fog frl or and lguc
and he other ills which curse many smiling valleys
trouble not thu favored spot In fact Il would be dill
cult IL Ae whole country o. uud climate III. eIuape
a. id hrahful or One ia which manual labor la the open
air may be performed the year round with 50 little
fatigue
AT THE PNLO ALTO Stables.
No special effort h.. been mode in this place in the
way of agriculture or ycuilure but there i, fine old
vineyard # forty acres, which probably gives the
Eastern visitor as good au idea Of the method and
profits Of grape growing could be Afforded anywhere
in the It rises forty acrc, the vines being
planted in rows much nearer together than Is the
present custom; the body Of the vine is frequently
foot in diameter yet the growth is cut down that the
vine doe, not reach above "a mans waist This vineyard
last year brought in 5000. tribe over $50 rev
the Near by this Is field Of fifty acres,
level house floor, Of rich dark loan, which was
planted year ago last fall TO young vines They are
OF the choicest varetie, and in about three years
Many changes besides this have been made OH the
ranch during the Governors absence Nhcn ne went
away he placed the ranch in the hand, Of Major
katLbouc, an ex- Army officer, who has me home IN
Mcno Park. and who is passlOnatcly fond 81 horses
Governor stanford, fancy tor Zine trotI1g and running
stool gradually led him 10 establish stables on portion
of hl~ estate about mile and half back OF his mouse
here many famous troter- have been bred, aud there
IN me centre oi pretty little ring the eX Nofrrhor Is
wont 20 lit aud watch his favorlte animals rs they are
spccdcd about the track There also were conducted
the now famous experiments on the horse IA motion,
taken by IN, ans of instantaneous photography HE
little house with tho tventv-four places for cameras,
stands by the side Of the large track and there m The
compass of about twenty feet, two dozen distinct views
Of The horse were taken lac went by with the -peed
OF the wud-a speed which only electricity could Keep
pace with and sser But the hobby ola millionaire
grow beyond all bounds and the present manager OF the
breeding stables, utilizing his West Point training
has established a system of military discipline which
has ltteI tne estab hment almost To the dignity ot
public institution. Rarely will one ind In National
or State establishment -ucu admirable economy OF space
and labor, such ncaness and system. over 100 men
are employed, about half white aud half Chinese and
the stables, barns paddpcks and training rings seen
from little distance, bear striking resemblance to
military post