Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-01-03


There has been no better than this
current season for setting out all sorts OF
trees since Los Angeles came under the
starry flag. The rains have been ire
quent and copious. and now the ground
is wet to the very bottom. There are
plenty Of young trees 10 the nursery
and the prices at which they are seiling
put any excuse on this head out OF the
question.
Were there no other consideration, the
adornment OF the country ought TO be
an ffioient to induce the owner OF every
inch Of property in II to plant trees to
The ntnoat extent of his ability. Pass
over the river and note the peculiarly
drsarv aspect Of the hills just beyond
tha covered bridge. Getting q little
farther on. the County Farm is encoun-
tered, where small beginning is made
| in setting out an orchard. Next the
| Ia nds Of Mr.. Hancock M. Johnston are
encountered, and here is where this sub
ject receives strong emphasis in prac-
teal way. A couple of years ago this
gentleman set out great many gums.
Expresses, peppers and palms, as well as
several patches Of orchard trees inter-
spersed between broad stretches Of vine
yard. The forest trees line the roads
and fences. and crown the more slightly
eminences. 1t is but two Summers
since these trees were planted. To-day
the rapidly growing gums and peppers
make fine showing. The former are
up to height Of twelve feet on an av-
erage. The effect on the landscape has
to be seen to conceive its wonder. What
was before rather ON uninviting pros
pect under the most favorable circum-
stances Is now in the dry months very
pleasing one, and to-day in the bright
sunshine and the very forward develop
ment of the grasses is one Of SURPRISING
beauty. How can farmers pass these
points and fail to go home and duplicate
this marvel Of increasing beauty on
their own farms and about their own
homesy
After the powder house is passed the
unsightly absence of trees is painfully
impressed on the sense of vision. Like
an oasis in the desert to one suffering
the pangs of thirst. the one grand pep
per tree at the Hve-Mile House strikes
the eye. Then follows soon the Alham-
bra where lovely homes are empowered
| ia trees, shrubs and flowers Of endless
variety. At the San Gabriel winery
masses Of gums and peppers were
planted only a year ago. and to-day
there is a young forest OF great promise
and beauty on the spot.
But this one Of identifying the land
scape is not the only consideration
which should prevail in the minds of in
telligent farmers in the planting of
trees. While 1t will make their prop
| erty more pleasing as q home for them
selves and their families, while it will
| largely enhance its value should they
wish to sell it in the eyes Of every pur-
chaser looking at il, it will do more. 1t
will add to its productive capacity to the
present owner, should he hold it only
few years. Fuel is dear commodity
already in this section. 1t will be a
great deal dearer five years hence. The
population will be doubled, the supply
viii be diminished. Set these gums and
peppers close together. In five years
cut out every other tree and you will
find paying investment along your
lines Of roads and fences. After this
forever there is steady revenue from
every clump OF trees or line OF them on
the ranch.
The same sort of reasoning will hold
good in the city. Let some Of the Los
Angeles property owners go out to Pasa-
dena aud they will be ashamed to see
the beauty which aligns every street and
avenue. See what Mr.. Hurlbut has
done in FIVE years. His place is now
surrounded by luxnriant wood Of great
beauty where he built on barren knoll
five years ago. Look at any street in the
city where the lordly eucalyptus or the
queenly grace OF the pepper tree adcrns
| il, and one will realize what my be
made of this paradise of lands in semi
tropic California. When one thinks
what it will be five, ten or twenty years
hence, it gives the soul hard hold on
life. One wants to see it before he dies.