The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-09-03

yet none of the diseases which have
created SO much havoc among the vine
yards of France, have made their ap-
pearance here. This is regarded as a
good omen by the vine-growers, and
the prophecy that California will soon
lead the world in the culture of the
grape is heard on all sides. For my
own part cannot see any reason why
the prophecy should not be fulfilled.
The soil is rich, the climate is exceed
ingly mild the year round, and the
demand for the product of the vine is
increasing yearly. Wine-growers are
sending to France for workmen who
understand the business. One large
company has a man in it's employ to
whom it pays salary of $4,000 just to
oversee and direct the business of wine
making.
1t is amusing to see the rivalry which
exists between the towns in Southern
California. When you are at San Ber-
nadine you are told it is the only place
where first-class fruit can be raised,
Citizens with statistics at their tongues
ends will endeavor to convince you
that of all the places on the face of the
earth where fruit can be raised San
Bernadino "takes the cake" At Los
Angeles, two hours ride distant, people
will wink knowingly at you when you
begin tc talk about the superlative
excellence of San Bernadino or of
River1ide. They will tell you that that
is all right, but if you want to see fruit
in all its perfection you must look over
Los Angeles. Those places are all very
well in their way, but they can't grow
oranges. Then another man with a
string of figures at his command will
so to work and prove that his town is
the fruit garden of California and that
all the other towns are mere cabbage
and carrot beds. When you get to
Riverside you are assured that the
claims made by the San Bernadino and
Los Angeles people are without founda-
ton whatever. In proof of this the
spirited editor of the leading daily
paper will call your attention to the
fact that Riverside citrus fruits were
awarded three gold medals at the late
Worlds Exhibition at New Orleans; a
gold medal for the best collection of
oranges from any part of the world; a
gold medal for the best collection of
oranges in the United States, and
gold medal for the best collection of
oranges in any part of California. If
this does not convince you as to the
supremacy Of Riverside he will show
you from San Francisco quotations of
from fifty cents to 81 box more than
those from Los Angeles or San Ber-
nadine
have already said something about
the climate here. There are a few
more points which will interest Eastern
people. The greatest heat during my
stay there was 96 degrees and yet I
did not feel it as much as in New Y DIRK
when the mercury stands at so degrees.
This is of course due to the dryness
of the atmosphere. AT daybreak the
following morning the mercury stood
at SO degrees and shivered with the
cold while dressed. The evenings as
rule are cool enough to make over
coats comfortable. Ice is used but
little. Nearly everybody keeps an
earthen jar wrapped about with wet
cloths, filled with water, for drinking
purposes. The evaporation from the
jar is so rapid that the water is kept
refreshingly cool without the aid of ice.
Meats may be kept almost any length
of time by hanging them up in the
open air. Consumptives and invalids
find the climate less trying than further
North.