Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-02-29

for dubious discussion. Mr.. darte
was a literateur rather than an
economist; but in these words he was
setting forth the views OF the people
in general, rather than of his own
mind. And in these views the Bay
counties was about the only territory
embraced. In those days, San
Francisco was the State, and a
territory Immediately around the
bay was all that was regarded as worth
much, At that date, the late Isaac
Friedlander had not begun to grow
wheat in Merced county. But a few
years previous to this the handful Of
people in California was reduced to the
verge Of starvation by one winter of
scant rainfall 80 undeveloped we're the
resources of this great Commonwealth,
and SO little understood we're the ma
ture of our soil and the character Of
our climate.
As to Southern California, there
we're few minds which had ever con-
ceived much OF a future for this Sec
ton, so different were all the ele-
ments Of husbandry from those which
the immigrant had been accustomed
in his old home. The plains of Los
Angeles county were given up to the
sheep herder and the raquero, whose
flocks and herds roamed at will over
the mesas and river bottoms of the
valley.
The doubts and misgivings OF
twenty years ago are all done away,
and the institutions Of ci ilization
planted in California have their
foundations SO broadly and deeply
laid that no financial shock con
ceivable could shake their state
| ly towers from their, places
The State stands third to first
| in its wheat product, taking one veal
with another. She is probably the
first State in the Union in her barley
crop. For corn her rank is high an6
for live stock, whether it be horses
cattle, sheep or hogs, she rivals the
very best sections of country, abso.
lutely leading all in her finer strains
of horses and COWS.
And, whatever may be said Of the
other portions of the State, may be
reiterated with emphasis concerning
the southern tier of counties, Los An
geles being easily and far away frs
among all the counties Of the State
It is here the famous horses are reare'
whose records lead on all the tracks Q
the nation. In this valley fourisl
the broadest and most prolific field
of wheat and barley. Here are tn
fattest meadows for the support c
lcattle under the sun.
| Passing on from these products c
the soil in which all the world is ou
competitor, and taking view OF ou
|, peculiar products, how unmeasurabl
. superior to all rivals is our position
, Fruits Of all kinds flourish under ou
sunny skies, and yield as they do i
, no other cline. Waving all cor
, sideration of any but our ow
, county it may be said with the mos
, absolute truth, that for variety Of agr
} cultural products and for net profit
, on her husbandry, Los Angeles defe
, the competition of the world. All tn
, cereals find within our borders mo-
t congenial habitat and yield large r.
t suits. Wheat will thrash 20 to
: bushels per acre. The yield Of barle
is heavier. To garner 100 bushels
t corn an acre is common. Potato,
, and all other root crops, includir
the sugar beet, thrive as if /
; natural magic. Here is land whel
, peas, beans, cabbage, tomatoes, ar
> such crops mature during each of IL
: fifty-two weeks in the year. STRAY
: berries ripen with steady regulari
/ at all times. All deciduous frui
t come to a perfection OF size, colo
, form and flavor nowhere else equalle
. A score Of kinds of grapes used f
| making wines or brandy, f
4 raisins or for table purposes, yield fl
s to eight tons per acre. And then '
< crown all with our citrus fruits, whit
q are so fastidious in their habits
4 to be possible of cultivation
y so small areas of the earth. Al
: doubts as to the future of Los Angel
IS from an agricultural point of vie
i after an experience Of one winter
+ this section will not 60 to establi
y the sanity of the man who entertai
: them. As February draws to clos
o the trees are breaking beneath the
: load Of oranges. The peach and ap
' cot trees are pink with wealth
Q bloom. The meadows are foot bis
J, with lush grasses studded wi
!. the lovely tints of myria
Q of flowers. The broad fiel
1 of grain are up ankle high vii
8 vigorous blades which give promi
!. of an early and abundant harvet
D Signs of prosperity multiply on eve
. side, and proofs are ample that he
is the best country in the world +
81 the farmer to tickle a fruitful soil vii