Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-10
A SuccetSful Pioneer.

Few people in this section are better
known than Rev. Charles F. Loop, OF
Pomona. Mr.. Loop is a clergyman
of the Episcopal church, and came
to California in poor health in 1868.
He settled first at Santa Cruz, but re-
moved to Los Angeles in 1868. In
spite of the climate, Mr.. Loops health
remained more or less impaired, and
he found regular professional work
very trying. He was by no means a
young man even then, and mission
ary work in this section in its then
crude state, was most exacting in its
demands.
In 1874 Mr.. Loop removed to Po-
mona, and with Mr.. Messere took up
about 24OO acres OF land. The Southern
Pacific road at that time stopped at
Spadra. The rest of the journey had
to be made in wagons. Where Pomona
with her 5000 inhabitants now stands,
in 1874 was a sheep walk. The plain
was as bare of vegetation as a desert,
excepting the natural grasses
of the rainy season. Houses there
were none far or near.
Mr.. Loops interest in the ranch
represented about 800 acres of land.
The claim took in the cienegas and
cafion whence Pomona receives most
of her water supply. For IA years
this clerical farmer toiled away on this
property. From time to time portions
were sAsk to other settlers until last
Monday morning what he stood
possessed of was somewhat more than
100 acres of we'll watered land.
He had planted this to
fruits OF all sorts, and had
brought his trees to a most splendid
state of cultivation and maturity.
Readers OF the HERALD OF yesterday
will recall an interview with Professor
Budd, of Iowa, one of the Fruit Com
missioners. He spoke of apple or
chards in Russia far up the Volga.
Professor Budd brought to the United
States many choice varieties of the
apple and of other fruits. While in
California he visited nearly all points
Of interest, and among these were Po-
mona. Here he inspected Mr.. Loops
orchard and was gratiied as well as
surprised to find some of the apples
he had brought from the Volga -four
ishing in the greatest perfection in
the orchard at Pomona.
Side by side with these Russian ap-
pies were growing in quite as perfect
a state of development, Tangerine
oranges from the royal gardens at
Saignon, in Cochin China. With the
hardy fruits of the temperate zone
are found in this fine orchard the
most delicate Of those grown in semi
tropical climates.
Mr.. Loops success in this matter
stands as an exponent of many SINH
lar successes scored in fruit-growing
in this section. He was not farmer,
nor horticulturist. He is highly
educated man, with a mind whose
faculties are thoroughly trained by
severe logical methods. He was not
troubled by superstitions about plant
ing corn in the full of the moon, or by
any such musty rural notions. He
worked in his orchard all the week,
and on Sundays exercised the func-
tions of his sacred calling as he
found opportunity to do SO. Many
would say he would be Wis
ionary, a theorist in his farming.
Nothing of the sort. He applied his
well trained mind with success in the
new bent, and success is the result of
his lear headed methods of dealing
wit h the soil. He is only one of many
of similar, or kindred mental equip
ment, who have, by their knowledge,
made fruit culture so successful in
this section.
How successful LIE is may be seen
by reference to the real estate sales in
the HERALD to-day. On Tuesday last
he sold his 100 acres of orchard for
81 900 per acre, or for a gross amount
of 100000. When it is observed that
the purchase has been made by firm
of real estate dealers, the best inform
ed on these matters about Pomona, it
will be seen that there is no imitation
of values in the transact on. 1t is
bought to sell again, and there is sup
posed to be margin of profit in it for
the buyers.
Mr.. Loops many friends will rejoice
with him in this large measure OF sue
cess which crowns his wise foresight
and intelligently directed enterprise.
He reserves a little patch of nearly 20
acres for permanent homestead for