Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-01-22
THE "HERALD" MAILBAG
A Reply From Fresno to J
DeBarth ShOrb, Esq.
THE PASADENA SEWAGE FARM
Alhambra Objects to That!-A Let
ter About Newhall's Gold Mines
and Agricultural Prospects.
FRESNO, January 10, 1889,

Mr.. J. De Barth Shoro:
DEAR SIR-The undersigned have care
fully read your reply to our request pub
blished in the Los Angeles HERALD, ano
it seems to us that it contains quite ar
amount OF, 'ruff1ed feathers" and shows
that the wounded bird" is at the Other
end of the line rather than here. We
are surprised at the unworthy insinua'
tions made; and, that we get so lame 8
reply to an inquiry that we believe fail
play demanded. The injury to vines
in the northern part of the State we have
heard ascribed to O very different
cause, which has not yet been
detected here. 1t may be that
we have overlooked some statement
connecting the trouble there with the
mysterious disease of your region. But,
admitting the truth of this, Fresno
vineyards have no more connection with
those of the northern section than with
those OF Los Angeles county, and are all
far enough separated and have enough
peculiar conditions to demand distinct
examination and report; and, instead OF
making our enquiry from any sectional
feeling, we simply wanted to know your
authority for such sweeping and injuri-
GUS statement.
You say that the Viticultural Commits
sion charged you with the responsibility
of investigating this mysterious vine
disease" You may have done your
duty in Sonoma county, but you have
strangely executed your commission
here. 1t is surprising responsible in
vestigation" that publishes its conclu-
sions from mere haphazard hearsay,
however creditable the source.
Your surmise Of our utter ignorance of
the features of the disease of your region
is mistake. You ask if we have wis
tied your infected districts and made
ourselves acquainted with the symptoms
and indications so as to enable us to
identity it elsewhere" We reply, one
OF us has done this very thing, and for
for the express end to be able to detect
any presence of it here. But, after all
it is not hard to tell whether vines are
green, healthy, growing and bearing
vigorously, or are dropping their leaves
in midsummer, whitening and dying.
Mr.. Mcpherson was indeed here brief
time last autumn, but we are certain
made no inspection of our vineyards,
and acquired no true grounds for such a
report as you refer to.
But, while We agree with yourself that
this is no time for sectional feelings"
which we assure you had no influence in
our inquiry, we also believe that this is
no time for ignorant, sweeping statements
under the gnise of wise. authoritative,
scientific investigation that only deceives
the public and does more harm than
good. It is because we are keeping our
eyes open and are carefully watching our
vineyards for any symptoms of your dread
disease that we are led to challenge your
random and sweeping assertion, for we dt
not purpose to have our promising indus
tries here put under the ban of suspicion
over the country, on the mere suspicion o,
hearsay Of any man, without protest.
We should certainly regret that you
should be turned aside from your re-
sponsible investigation by any criticisms
We only ask that your published reports
be confined to we'll assured facts, and dc
no injustice to any section. Should yoU
come here in the execution OF y1ur i'm
portant mission We shall be glad to rem
der you any assistance possible and abide
by any we'll accredited results.
T. G. WHITE.
GEO. +. FREEMAN.