The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-07
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
i.G.f
Agricultural Readers
OLIVE GROWING.
Facts Regarding the Climate OF Call.
fOrnia.

I'LL 1F1O w lINSI.
Interesting Facts Regarding the Climate OF Call.
Jfofnia.
To THE EDIToR: tn the number of Feb 5
was published an item from me in regard to
the mode of producing dolive oil and before the
paper came to hand began to receive commu-
nlcations and they are increasing with each
mail, requesting information as to the climate,
productions, topography. ETC., Of the County Of
San Diego. AS the request for information
comes from the readers of THE TRIBUNE, aud
those who are of the Old Guard, l would like
to write to each of them, but find it would take
more time than could possibly spare from my
work, and they are So numerous / cannot an
swer them between times, so if you will spare
the space for this the favor will be appreciated.
The County of San Diego is bounded on the
north by San Bernardino and Los Angeles
Counties. on the east by the Colorado River.
dividing it from Arizona, on the south by the
Mexican territory OF Lower California, on the
west by the Pacific Ocean. Its area is Is, 156
square miles. or 9,5s0,00O acres, taking in a
great portion of the Colorado Desert. Two
mountain ranges run through the County from
northwest 10 southeast. The portion of the
County lying between the mountains and the
sea contains our most fertile land, comprising
series of rolling hills and valleys, with ridges
or spurs of mountains crossing at different
points, forming numerous little valleys pro-
tected from strong winds. For climate we
have two Seasons the wet or rainy, and the
dry season. Many people might think by the
term rainy season means period of excessive
rain. Here it only means the period during
which rain may be expected, as our rainfall is
not excessive, as the following record, kept by
health seeker who spent three years in the
County, will show. From the first to the last
rain of the season, l59 days, there were liz
days warm aud clear, ID days cloudy and
H. II A.,xv nto Nd
cool, noon temperature $50 to Csc. rainy all
day 10, showery 10. Here are 139 days ont of
159 that one could spend entirely out of doors,
and this is wetter year than twe-t thirds OF the
years of Southern California The Summer or
dry season is not as hot rs the Eastern States,
the nights are cool, and q coat is always COM
Portable after shutdown.
The products of the County are wheat, bar
ley, wool, honey, and the different kinds Of
grain. But fruit is becoming the leading in
terest Raisin aud wine grapes arc being
planted also orange, lemon, olive, bg, apricot,
prune, plumb, peach, pear, apple, almond, En-
glish walnut, ounce, nectarine, aud other
fruit, including raspberries, blaekberries straw
berries, etc. There has been great demand
for Government land and the filings during
the last month in this County amounted to
1850 acres. All the Government land in my
neighborhoOd is taken, as far as know. Good
land can BIO bought at from $40 to $40 per acre
in the district live in, and in other parts land
can be bought for less. The city Of San Diego
is built on the shore Of the bay Of the same
name, and has population of over 1000. 1t
is the terminus of the California Southern
Railroad, connecting with the Southern Pacific
at Cotton. The Pacific Coast Steamship Com
pany's steamships arrive aud depart every five
days. Passengers from all parts East may now
reach San Diego either by the Southern Pacific
Railroad to Cotton, thence by the California
Southern. or by Central Pacific to San Francisco,
thence by Pacific Coast Steamship San Diego
is a port OF entry and a U. S. military post, has
custom house and U. S. signal service sta
ton. There are two national banks, two daily
newspapers, gas and water works, money
order post Office Wells Fargo Express office.
Western Union Telegraph Office, etc.
As to health, Will give you the words of Prof.
Agassiz, who when here in 1872, and at meet
ing held in San Diego, made the following re-
marks: "You are hereon the32d parallel, beyond
the reach OF the severe Winters of the northern
ATTITUDES. This is Que of the favored spots of
the earth, and people will come from all quar-
tiers to live in Your genial and healthtul at
mosphere." And now let me say advise no
one TO come here if they are doing well, think
ing to better themselves financially; but if the
change is made fora more healthful climate or to
regain lost health or to live where there is fear
Of the cyclone severe Winters, in my mind
there is better sanitarium in the world for the
invalid and no better climate for home. / To-
Gated on the place am now on six years ago.
have 160 acres of Government land, and &C
quired my patent by homestead receiving three
years credit for my term of service in the
army, and after this season expect to be able to
20 into my young orchard and gather fruit any
day of the year. have the orange, fig, lemon,
olive, apricot, nectarine, prune, plum, peach,
apple, pear, cherry, ounce, guaya, and Japan
persimmon trees; also grape vines mostly of the
raisin grape. Some of the above have but
few trees of, and many Of them very young
yet, though L have orange, lemon, apricots,
peach, fig, olive, ounce and apple trees now
bearing, all planted since located here P.
NJ. RAINBOW, Fall Brook, San Diego Co., Gal.