Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-10-12

the Eleventh Fruit Growers Conven-
ton, which was held at San Diego in
April of last spring, under the auspices
of the State horticultural Society. It is
quite bulky pamphlet, devoted to re-
porting the routine proceedings of the
convention, and pieced out by contribu-
lions under special heads. Amongst
these is an article contributed by 7. S.
Van Dyke under the title of "The Horti-
cultural Resources of California" Any
article which appears in an official pub
ication ought to have strict regard for
the truth, and it seems to us that the con-
tribution in question is singularly lacking
In this regard. Its failure may be the
result of ignorance or Partially, or both
I'VE have of course no intention to be
personally insulting to Mr.. Van Dyke
but it's Misrepresentation are certainly
most egregious.
Mr.. Van Dyke says: 'sThe area of land
available for fruit-growing in the five
southern counties, which include all
"that is generally called Southern Cali
"This does not include any of what is
"known as the Mojave or the Colorado
"Desert. Ofthese three million
''acres lying on the western slope of the
Gland, and under the Pacific r:in belt,
"about five hundred and fifty thousand
"acres in the county of San Diego, three
hundred thousand in the county of San
"Bernardino, six hundred thousand in
'the county of Los Angeles, three hum
"dred Thousand in Ventura and three
"hundred Thousand in Santa Bar
TbSrS county-over two million acres
Gin all-are soil that would be
''called first rate in any State, or under
"the sun. Ten years ago it would have
"been conceded such by the most ex.
"perienced sneerer at the cow counties
"who could have laid aside his conceit
''long enough to examine it. The re-
manning million is land that any one
stem years ago might Justly enough have
pronounced worthless. But the world
'has moved since then, and it has been
discovered to be as good as any land for
"many of the most valuable fruits, while
"the elevation Of most of it above the
cline of killing frosts makes it specially
valuable for many things"
Nothing could be more misleading
than this statement. Out of total area
of about three million and half acres,
Los Angeles county is accorded six hum
dred thousand acres of land adapted to
fruit culture, ''as good as land in any
State, orsunder the sum-" In fit of un-
accountable generosity, this ingenious
writer admits that Los Angeles county is
ahead of San Diego county some fifty
thousand acres in lands adapted to the
best results in fruit culture. We think
that we have right to protest against
the admission of such arrant nonsense
into the pages of publication issued
under grave official sanction.
1t may be very gravely questioned as
to whether there are five hundred and
fifty thousand acres of land in San Diego
county perfectly adapted to fruit culture,
but there can be no possible question
that patience and the development of
water will do great things In our neigh
boring county. The HERALD has no de-
siret to detract from the just claims of
thatEection. But we do most decidedly
object to Wholesale depreciation of Los
Angeles county. Of the upwards OF three
million acres of Los Angeles county quite
one million five hundred thousand acres
are perfectly adapted to fruit Gull
ture now, without the necessity of
developing water. No dispassionate
man could 60 over the two counties
without being impressed with the fact
that the ability of this county for produc-
ton is easily ten times that of San Diego
county. Our rainfall is much greater,
our land lies better and our soil is richer.
San Diego can achieve nothing in the
line of making herself richer and more
attractive which will not receive our
sympathy and cooperation, but we pro-
test against bald Misrepresentation Of
Los Angeles county, especially in publ |
cations which are issued by the State,
and which consequently have the greater |
power for mischief.