Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1885-12-20

Fuel has always been a matter of very
considerable moment to the people Of
Los Angeles. Years ago. when the city
was small, in spite Of the fact that
housekeepers use so little fuel in this
superb climate, it was often hard to find
load Of dry wood during the winter
season.
seldom or never has the supply Of
good fire wood been more abundant IN
the city than II is at this present mo
ment. The reason for this is that there
is unusual activity in the county every
where in clearing up land for cultivation
In all sorts of crops and trees. There
are far more THAI 100 men working daily
on the Santa Anita ranch clearing the
woods up, and these are cutting up hun
dreds OF cords Of fuel, roots. oak and
other sorts. This all seeks market in
this city and hence the wood yards are
well supplied with fine fuel. Besides
this source Of supply there are a large
number OF men who for years back have
made quite comfortable living in get
ting out fire wood on the sides Of
the mountains and up the canons.
The question presses on tie mind Of
all-how will this be in the future? This
work Of clearing off the brush land will
continue for some years to come, but at
the rate it is going on now not many
years can pass before the whole OF this
sort of land shall be under cultivation.
So with the mountain sides, these will
soon be all denuded Of their wood, as
far up as man can reach with any sort
success. When that time comes there
will be great scarcity Of wood. If the
petroleum fields develop into great
sources Of supply that will solve the
problem. II there shall be opened up
an exhaustless supply of natural gas
that will furnish all needed. II great
fields Of coal should be discovered the
difficulties are at an end. But these are
all ia the subjunctiye mood as gramma-
riaus say, And since the days Of wise
Mother Goose, "Ifs and Ands" have not
been counted as of great market value
in the world Of supply and demand.
The only certain means OF supplying
this great need Of the future apparent
now is in planting eucalyptus trees.
There is not ranch in the county, how
ever small, but should plant this noble
tree in unstinted measure. Plant il
along the fences. along the roads, in
every waste corner, around the barns
and corrals, anywhere, everywhere. On
every inch OF ground unavailable for
better purposes set out the blue gum un-
til this beautiful county is made ten
times mora beautiful in all aspects wher-
ever one looks. The value of every
farm in Los Angeles county will be as
much enhanced as its beauty will be if
farmers will only follow this sound ad
vice.
There are few pieces OF land in the
county more remunerative than the bit
OF wood land at Florence owned by Mr..
Remi Nadeau. Getting into the city,
there 10 bit Of gum grove at the Beau.
dry water works that has paid its own
or probably as well as most Of the rented
residence property in the city. There
are trees OF this splendidly grow
ing king of the forest in this
county OF about fifteen years growth
frem the seed that are worth $50 to cut
up for frewood. On the Santa Anita
bnere are toupio Vi csuhtps VI tue
trees with say dozen In each bunch
that would cut up, all told. the biggest
end OF $1,000 worth of fuel. An acre Of
five.year.old trees would cut up very
handsome amount Of wood. An acre of
ten.year-old trees will astonish any
financier who has not figured up the re-
suit Of such an enterprise. When once
the forest gets into a good growth it
lasts forever. II may be cut. and up it
shoots again. like rank weeds in fertile
soil during damp and warm May. As
fast as it Is cut it grows again. There
is no expense in caring for the grove.
Once started il will take care of itself,
and all the owner has to do will be TO
cut the tree, make stove lengths of it,
let II dry little while, haul it to this
large and rapidly growing city, sell it
on the street, pocket the money and
drive home richer rancher than he
came