San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-01-22
SAN MARCOS HAYS COUNTY TEXAS, THURSDAY

limits, and very much within ! have
not yet seeA. Am now nearing the
completion OF the house, and hope to
have time TO make o moro completes
observation of this part o. California.
There are several things I cannot help
noting and admiring, the climate for
instance, and the abundance and
superior quality Of the fruits ane
vegetables OF the first I say that il
is the nearest perfection ofany I have
ever known anything about There
are some points where IL IL even bet
ter than here, I mean where the loca-
tions are beyond the fogs and mists
which are 80 common here lying 90
near the sea (ls miler.) The dews
also are at times very heavy, running
off the roofs like young rain.
Taken altogether the winter 80 far
has been delightful. Only two slight
frosts, land freezing we ,tner is thing
unknown, as wonld have to be the
case where citrons and other semi
tropical fruits are raised. In plain
iew,seemingly only a few miles away
(but over thirty,) the snow covered
mountains are seen towering eight
and ten thousand feet high and afford
that enchantment said to be born Of
distance. This is the FIRST holiday
season we ever passed without ice,
snow or cold weather even in the
sunny south" Christmas day was
the only continuous rainy day since !
came, and thus far only about five
inches of ram has fallen since Septem-
Der. Every day the children are
seen at play as in the summer and
building goes on the same at all sea
sons. This country does not feel the
effect Of the monetary depression to
any great extent. Many visitors are
here, but perhaps there would have
been more if people East and North
could have commanded the means
to come.
When you and l talked years ago
of California, I did not know much
OF its climate, and its fame as q health
resort had not been SO widely herald
ed, and in fact established as now.
1 did not then and do not now, think
this is q country Of as varied resour-
ces nor has 1t any thing like the pro
portion Of available land for agricul-
tural grazing Of fruit purposes that
Texas has. Take out the grain belt
and about 70 by 200 miles hereabouts,
which is developing into magnif.
cent fruit region, and you have the
two main points in which California
excels as productive state. Many
fear that the fruit business will be
overdone, but this cannot be, be-
cause the area adapted to its cul-
ture is 30 limited and because
the demand is increasing with
the production, and will con-
tinue to do 30 while the fruits and
wines of California are superior to
all others in America, as they renow
conceded to be. I never saw such
perfect fruit in all my experience, and
such thing as knot or worm on an
apple or pear is thing ! have yet to
see, and singular as it may appear the
texture and flavor Of these fruits
are as delicate and fine as any pro-
duced in New York, or any Northern
state. Nearly all kinds of fruit are
in market yet, including tomatoes,
green peas (of marvellous favor)
beans, new potatoes, corn, etc, etc,
but just now the orange season is
and every body can have
hem as cheap as the wish. Imagine
4 you can ten thousand trees inside
The city limits, nearly every one Of
which is hanging full Of golden fruit,
together with all sizes of green
oranges and the beautiful fragrant
blossoms peeping out between. and
You have an idea what these look
ike. Tomake the scene still more
attractive to every one, even includ-
ng so matter Of fact person as the
writer, al nature is clothed in living
yreen, the roses and geraniums, as
veil as the stately lily, the brilliant
lshlia and other regal flowers are
n bloom on every hand Add to
hese q driving, pushing people, and
-ou can form some conception Of Los
angeles now. Even three years ago
I was in comatose state, but is now
making rapid strides towards com
nerciAl importance ] win send you
paper containing far more elabo-
ate and comprehensive review Of