Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-03-29
Southern California.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY,

San Jacinto Valley, California.
Ed. Register-Since writing my last
to your paper, my interest in this
strange and delightful country contin-
ues to increase. The very coolest
weather we have had has not frozen ice
over an half inch thick, that we know
of. Snow has come down unusually
low On the mountain sides. The oldest
residents all declare that this winter
has been unusually severe.
We paid a visit to the Webster
Ranch and there saw castor oil bean
plant five years old, but during this
winters frost it was compelled to yield
up its life. While there we were intro
duced 10 their orange orchard AMI told
to help ourselves. This was my friends
first opportunity to visit and pluck the
golden fruit. These oranges were the
finest eyer saw-plump, clear-skinned
and delicious to the taste. This ranch
joins the Florida tract of land on the
east. We were also taken to the apple
bin and there loaded down with sever
al varieties, aud of as good flavor as
anyone would wish to eat.
The great drawback to this country
now is the lumber famine. 1t is diff
cult matter to supply fractional part
of the dema"d. A large number of
buildings would be commenced imme-
diately but for the scarcity of building
material.
The railroad grade is completed to
this place and they haye commenced
laying the track; so in a few weeks we
shall have the hustle of railroad activ-
ity. Another sign of success is the fact
tn at the requisite number of signers
petilioning for incorporation has been
secured. All these good things coming
almost at once, the citizens of this COM
nunity have every reason to rejoice
and be glad. Immigration.co continues to
pour in from the East, and as soon as
the possibilities of this valley become
known to the incoming tide of popula-
ton no barriers will stay it's inward
sweep.
1t is remarkable to think that, &C.
cording to a trustworthy report, the
lowest the thermometer has fallen was
only 20 degrees above zero or eight de-
grees below freezing point; and also in
connection with this fact is the state
ment of an old settler, Spaniard, that
it has been the coolest this winter of
any season for thirty years. Notwith-
standing all this we have greatly en-.
joyed the mild climate.
Arrangements are being made in the
division of lands to accommodate all
who come, and in prices you can be
bounded by the limits of your purse.
Barley and wheat sown in December
is now looking well, and enough rain
of all that has been sown this season.
The blowing is done by gang plows,
drawn by from four to six horses and
turning over from two to five burrows,
and at the same time sows and covers
the grain. The alfalfa fields and native
pasture lands furnish good feed for the
stock. Thousands of sheep do well on
the filoxen, everywhere abundant and
already beginning to bloom. Often
this vegetation is cut for hay, yielding
two or three tons per acre. In many
places the valley is beautifully carpet
ed with green, which forms a pleasing
contrast to an abur lance of snow, ap-
parently near by. Stately grandeur.
! level plain, glistening snow and grow
ing green form a complete but attract
i've scene. Reading broken descrip-
ton of this country and looking upon
it yourself are two very different ex-
periences. The pleasure will always
be in favor of seeing for yourself; so
come and see and you will believe.
March IA, 1883. E. J. s.