The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-04-07
A rRIp 10
a Talk With MF,s 2, Hldroth-GFOWth Of
the Stato-FFuitiRRd Crops.

a Talk With MF,s, Y, HldFoth-GF0Uth OF
the stAtS-FFuitiHRd Crops.
Mr.. S, P. Hildrstb, who returned a few
days ago from q two months trip to Cali.
fornia, has in mind q removal to that State
for permanent residence at an early day
a fact that the ISFRLLIaRScRR very much
regrets, in common with all his friends, to
learn. Hhe finally decides to do so it will
be mainly on account Of his Wiie's health,
which for some time back has been deli
Gaze, She remained behind in California,
and is in the enjoyment oiimproved health
thus far during her soiourn, Mr.. Hildreth
made q considerable investment while
absent, in q land company that owns 8
large tract near Ontario, q thriving point
on the Southern Pacific railroad, about
t~hirty-eight miles from Los Angeles, in
the heart Of the orange country Of South
ern California. He will probably take
charge OF the interests OF that company in
case he removes thither. At all events,
he expects to find profitable and pleasant
occupation alter he has settled in the
country, BE was highly pleased with the
outlook for both health and profit in Cali
iornia, and reports q large immigration
into the State, mostly, too, by a class Of
people OF more or less means, and very
many Of them for the same REASONS that
will aCtuste him in the proposed change.
According to his account the city Of Los
Angeles has about doubled Its population
in the last three years, and now claims
10000 inhabitants, and aspires TO b9 the
capitol OF Southern California in case the
movement for a division OF the State event.
yates in success. BY means OF irrigation
large tracts OF country hitherto regarded
as unit for tillage have been reclaimed 10
profitable industry, mainly for orange,
grape and fruit culture, and tracts have
increased from almost zero TO very aston
ishing figures, 1t is not uncommon to
lind q little homestead OF ten acres, plant
cd in part to oranges, selling in is fourth
or fifth year for 5000, with only fair i'm
proVements on II In the way Of buildings.
Originally the naked land, with a water
right, cost the proprietor perhaps 500
per acre, and even thauwas ten or twenty
lines the first cost to the land company,
During Mr.. Hildreth's ~sojourn In the
months Of February and March he found
the climate very much to his liking for
out door life%-generally cool in the morn
ings and warm and bright through thu
day, with now and then a day Of rain. The
winter Is the rainy season in California.
There has been an exceptional amount Of
rain fall this last winter, and the crop pros.
poets, for wheat, are excellent.
The recent low prices for travel have in.
duCed a great many people to go to Cali.
tornia on a trip, and very many Of them
have invested In the country with a view,
like Mr.. Hildreth, Of removing there. This
has been a great gain to the State and Of
course an ultimate benefit TO the railroads.
Not since the gold fever sbated have the
aCCesions to the population out there
been 30 large as in the last year. An i'm.
pulse too to the rapid development OF the
country has been given by the low rates Of
freight, resulting as 1t has 10 breaking
down the almost prohlbitory tariff by
which industry has been 80 long iettered
by the Central Pacific railroad monopoly.
On the whole, Mr., Hildreth considers
that California has very bright prospects
ahead