The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-30
sTANFoRD's RANCH.
A Talk With It's Manageable Immense
Possessions OF the Millionaire.


is making three weeks visit to Atlanta,
and is staying at his mothers residence,
No. q Pine street
Mr. Shackelford is native OF Charles
ton, S. g., but when he was boy he came
to Georgia, and when scarcely fourteen
years old left Atlanta as member Of the
Atlanta Grays, commanded by Capt.
Thomas Cooper He went through the
war and when il was ended settled in Ma
con. Here he lived till 1868, when he en-
igrated to northern California. Soon after
reaching that State he got employment
with the Central Pacific railroad, which
was owned principally by Leland Stan
ford q Co. Eight years ago he entered
the service OF this great millionaire and
has been in his employ ever since.
Mr.. Shackelford talks interestingly about
his experiences in California. He tells
some wonderful but true stories OF the man.
moth FARMS vineyards and ranches owned
by his distinguished employer.
"Senator Stanford" said he, towns the
largest ranch in the world IL contains
$4,000 acres, through which run 100 miles
OF ditching. Some $500 acres are planted
in grape vines, and 1000 acres are devoted
to alfalfa, which makes the best sort Of hay
for cattle. In this vineyard were raised
countless tons OF grapes. which pressed,
made 200, 600 gallons OF wine. We have
a wine cellar which holds 900, 700 gallons
in 1000 gallon packages. The crushing
machine can mash 400 tons q day. In one
bonded warehouse we now have about
10000 gallons of brandy. This is the prod
uct OF Ithe vineyard for this year. The
wine is not for sale yet; is not old enough.
"What about fruit?"
ave are not in the fruit business ex-
tensively, for we have only some 5000
fruit trees planted. These are mostly
peach and plum"
"Any other ranches?"
"South OF the ranch have described
lies another one, Immediately on the line
Of the railroad. This is comparatively
small one, containing 10000 acres, wholly
planted in wheat. This wheat is OF SUI
pcrior quality, and extraordinary crops
are made. This is shipped in bulk"
"What about the stock farm2"
This stock ranch is known all over the
world. II is known as Palo Alto, and is
situated thirty miles south OF San Fran
cisco. Here are TO be found horses OF the
finest blood; in fact all are blooded. This
collection Of horses is worth 81 900, 600
Just TO think OF thatl Here are some OF
the most valuable racers in the world.
The fastest two year old, three year old,
and four year old are here. This ranch
contains 1900 acres. The cattle is, Of
course, Of the finest strains, and is worth
nearly $250,000."
'rell me something about the owner Of
these vast estates. What manner OF man
is he2"
Iceland Stanford, as everybody knows,
Is United States senator from California.
How much money he is worth II is inn
possible TO state. lie is rated anywhere
from $50, 900, 900 10 500, 1000, 900. / do not
think this IN an extravagant estimate. He
is a man, every inch Of him. A benefac-
tor he is always racking his brain TO de-
wise some new plan for helping the peo-
pie. lie has given TO the State OF Caliior-
MIA these three ranches have described,
and his university, which cost several
million dollars. His home is in San Fran
cisco, but he has residences at each OF his
ranches. lie is always giving 10 charita-
BILE institutions, and can truthiully say
that he Is one OF the best men ever knew.
am his paymaster and civil engineer. To
give You some idea OF the expenses he has
TO meet in running his mammoth con-
Germs, will state that he employs about
400 men. paid out in January on his
vineyard ranch SIC, O00"
California must be great country"
at Is. The climate in some parts Of the
state Is not unlike that Of Georgia. In San
Francisco you find the most equable cli-
mate In the world. In the northern sec
ton OF the state Il is pretty cold, and In
the southern part pretty warm. The i'm
mense tracts Of land are very productive,
and their owners amass fortunes in few
years, But do you know the key OF the
situation, the one thing 10 which may be
ascribcd the success OF farming In Cali
formal"
"No; what is III"
"Irrigation. But for irrigation many
OF the farms which now blossom ms the
rose would be dreary, sterile wastes.
Take the San Joaquin valley for example.
Much Of this land was unproductiyc and
given over M worthless. When the
modern system OF irrigation WIS intro.
duccd Il was applied 10 yast tracts Of this
territory. What was the result Why,
the transformation WAS phenomenal.
These barren stretches were at once CON
ycrtcd into fruitful ranches, yielding boun-
tcous crops Of grain and hay. Irrigation
II regarded "a necessity In California.
The truth Il, Il would not pay 10 farm but
for this mode Of artificial watering And
Il has been reduced TO an art. Now,
will tell you something else about It's
value. Land which a few years ago was
untitled because II would not pay 10 cult.
vale II, now Is planted In alfalfa. This Is q
sort Of grass which has been found 10
make the very best kind Of hay. Here
we raise five crops year. -Four tons Ia
the acre Is not infrequcntly cut, and this
sells for $40 a ton. What farming land In
the south yields 10 profitable crop as
this7 Tho hay Is In request by the Rnch.
men. who prefer II 10 all other kinds for
cattle. II Is great milk-producing feed. /"
Whats the matter with raising alfalfa
In Georgia. Would Il not pay2"
'Thcro smoothing the matter with rails.
ing II In Georgia. and most assurcdly II
would pay. Hut, 20 do this successfully,
we must irrigato the land upon which Il IL
planted. This would insure crop re-
gardlcs OF the seasons. Irrigation makes
M independent OF the capriccs OF nature.
l! Il rains We are all right II a drought
come. We are all right. for we can supply
all the moisture we need. Even should
We have exceptionally favorable seasons
we can increase the yield Of almost any
crop by irrigation. This ia my pet hobby
and know all about II. for | have had
a long experience. can speak auihori-
iaiively as one who has given II a practi.
cal test. tcllyou that II irrigation should
bo tried In Georgia Il would rcvolutionize
the agricultural methods now in vogue.
s.,s.,.,l ,.r.t,ineu M tonnflan,an of Atlanta a.,