Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-29

carry 10 feet depth of water, and has an
average fall of one foot TO the mile. These
are the dimensions of the main canal
throughout its entire length. 1t is esti-
mated that this canal will irrigate fully
900 acres of rich soil, which is now
only productive in seasons of abundant
rain. The value of this great work can
hardly be estimated The town of MERGED
is to be supplied from the canal through
Pinch main, which Will reach the place
AT an elevation of 90 feet. This main will
also supply water power TO an unlimited
degree for mills and other machinery. The
original protector of the enterprise, which
will some day be the source of support for
half million of people, is C. II. Huff
man, and the man who has supplied the
funds for prosecuting the work is Charles
Croker. In the eastern part of the county,
owing to the plentiful supply of water this
year, the mining interests are showing
more than ordinary activity.
HORTICULTURE AND vIYIcULTURE.
Around the county seat-Merced--
culture and viniculture are receiving a good
deal of attention. From Fresno county
come very fiattering encouragement for a
successful season. Last year the agricult-
ural interests suffered somewhat from
drought The horticultural and yinicult-
ural districts were sustained by artificial
irrigation. This year the rainfall is abund-
ant for all purposes, and a very large IN
crease in the acreage of grain, vines ana
fruit trees is promised. Fresno-the coun-
ty seats surrounded with orchards and
vineyards, and the area of vines and trees
t.a
Fresno county already has extensive irri-
eating facilities, and this very material
source of her wealth is to be widened and
expanded the coming season. In the east
ern part of this county are many mines
which have produced so far only low grade
ore. These mines are beginning to attract
The attention of capital, and there is pros
pect for this hitherto partially neglected
industry to be vigorously prosecuted dur
ing the coming season. Fresno county has
five large and several small Gineries, and
the reports say the grape crop OF this year
will more thdu double that OF last year.
The growing of raisin grapes and the max
ing OF raisins will be an important business
in Fresno county hereafter. This county
will go extensively into the shipment of
fruit to the East the coming summer. 1t
is estimated the shipment will approximate
5000 carloads. Fruit-drying and fruit
canning will also employ good deal of
labor and capital. New colonies and settle
ments are setting out miles OF trees and
vines. The reports note large accessions
to the population.
TULARE AND KERN.
From Goshen to Caliente, the extreme
head Of the San Joaquin valley, the dis
lance is ninety-five miles. Tulare and part
Of Kern counties are within the section.
Including those from the Hanford and the
Visalia branch roads, there are ten reports
from this part of the valley, and each
speaks encouraginglv OF growth and pros
perity in ali lines of business. In Tulare
county is the center Of the now famous
artesian belt. anywhere within the known
limits of which one has only TO sink q well
to obtain a never-failing flow Of water
above the surface of the ground. The grain
acreage of Tulare county this season Will
exceed that of last year One-third, possibly
one-half. Throughout the country there
is an active demand for land, and real
estate values are going steadily upward.
The number Of newcomers looking for
land and homes increases with the opening
of the new wear Grape culture is rapidly
becoming a leading industry. The known
arteSian belt covers an area of twenty by
fifty miles Within this wide extent the
farmer does not fear loss on account OF the
dry seasons. The population of the belt is
growing very fast, and with this growing
population Is coming a rapid accumulation
OF wealth. a great many acres of trees
and vines are to be planted this spring. BY
reason of its climate and soil and superior
irrigating facilities, Tulare county is at
lracting q large share of the solid immigra-
ton. Kern county has comparatively few
small farmers and n vast amount of land
not now productive that would grow fine
crops if irrigated. 1t is said that during
the coming season efforts will be made to
find artesian water on these lands. The
water OF Kern river l. used On Kern island,
which is one of the richest spots. as to soil,
in the world. The island !, chiefly owned
by one firm. and the most Of he good land
of the section not held by !-ianj owners is
the property OF another t.f:ii. There are
at this time on the is'and eleven diaries,
10G00 head of cattle. llGO10 heal ~ -ieep
aud several thousand horses and nudes.
Much of the ISLAND is seeded to alfalfa OF
which foCr tdeight crops are cut per year.
The mines inlthe eastern part of the coun-
ty, which ontie gave employment TO several
thousand mea, are not now being vigorous
ly worked. Il is proper TO say that the two
firms owning the land of Kern river delta
and island are cultivating it on large
scale. and giIng employment to great
many men,