Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-15
DEVELOPING OUR RESOURCES.

In some respects the people of this
section are remarkably energetic and sa-
gacious in the work of developing its
resources. The fruit-growers are doing
their share of the good work in most
satisfactory manner. There is little
more to be desired in this direction. But
there the energy and wisdom for the
most part comes to an abrupt end. Our
capitalists are not as broad-guaged and
public-spirited as our horticulturists.
This fault is no doubt largely the result
of the pressing demand and
high rates that have ruled
for money. 1t is not an I'M
natural thing that he now should look
after his own interests first, and when
people overburdened with land specula-
tions have been so willing borrowers at
more than per cent per month, it is
not to be wondered at that money
lenders should prefer the notes and
mortgages of the rather wild speculators.
But the spectators of this sort are of
somewhat ephemeral character. Their
needs are not of permanent sort, nor
are their needs the first that should de-
mand attention. The man who is doing
something with his land in the way of
production is worth a million of the
owners who merely hold for rise. The
interests of the latter class are abso-
lutely selfish. If they should all come
to the wall their sufferings would begin
and end with themselves. The disap-
pearance of the whole lot would be
rather benefit than otherwise to the
mass of the people. Hence money
lenders will consult their own interest
in the long run by fostering local indus
tries and encouraging legitimate enter
prise, rather than by putting their
funds in to bolster up non-producing
syndicates that hold lands for rise.
1t will be better five years hence for the
banks to lend money to go into new en-
terprises at eight per cent. than if the
same money is put into non-producing
speculations at thirteen per cent.
These orchards now being planted
will all come into bearing in three to
five years. Their products will need to be
cared for. This will require energy and
money. All the fruit borne here cannot
be shipped away in its natural state. 1t
will have to be cured in large measure.
The fruit sold in its natural state brings
in an immediate return, and this
business requires very little capital as
compared with that needed to dry, can,
preserve or candy the fruit. Conserves,
iellies and such products call for large
amount of money. 1t takes nearly a
whole year to get back the money put
into such enterprises. Public-spirited,
far-seeing and sagacious capitalists will
gladly foster such enterprises, because
the interest in them is perennial.
And there is a great field here for such
industries. The market here at home
today is supplied with jellies made in
Chicago, out of apple-cores, pearings and
such material almost actual refuse sweet
ened with a little glucose. We have in
spected a sweetmeat in this market
falsely called mincemeat. 1t has no
meat in it, but is made of apples
a few raisins and other similar
fruit ingredients. 1t is clean,
sound, wholesome commodity and very
cheap. Two big pies may be made out
of Is cents worth of this compound 1t
is put up in Chicago. Better stuff can
be made here for the same price, if some
one with capital and business sense will
only go into it. Fruit can be had in
abundance, and cheaper than in Chi
cago.
Something is being done here in
small way. A local concern is packing
Lima beans and baked beans tnat are
forcing the imported goods to the wall.
Another new enterprise that ought
to receive the warmest encourage
ment is the packing of fish
from the waters of the Pacific.
Santa Catalina island mackerel is a new
brand of goods in the market. The
eastern mackerel usually sold here is
what is known as good No. 3. The
local product put up at the island is
nearly a prime mess mackerel. If the
fish were taken at time when it is
little fatter it would rank as perfect
mess mackerel. 1t can be sold cheaper
than the primest imported.
These local enterprises give employ
ment to many people besides the pro-
ducers. A number of others find work
in making the packages in which the
goods are marketed, and another large
list of people make living in putting
up the goods. The resources of the sec
tion are manifold, and the profits to be
reaped in these industries are large. To
make them succeed requires only little
backing from those who handle the
money.
WITH desire to be perfectly fair to