The morning call., 1890-12-29
BUSY TIMES AHEAD.
More Dwellings Wanted, But Flowing
Prevents Building.

More Dwellings Wanted, But Flowing
Prevents Building.
Editor OF the Morning Call: What Gen.
terville needs just now more than anything
else is small hoAses to let.
We do not mean tenements of three or
four rooms, but substantial pretty cottages,
with the various conveniences and adjuncts
to pleasant living. Half dozen such
places could be rented within month if
some enterprising builder were 70 erect
them.
Don't talk of building" says one busy
rancher, until blowing, spraying and seed
Ing are over with" and this is the way a
good many of us feel.
These lovely days our farmers are sup to
their ears " in work. Those who think and
write articles trying to make Eastern -ead-
ers think that the California farmers life is
one long summer dream of slumbrous
ease and bowling luxury should follow
him about his ranch during these winter
months, and we think the experience would
prove an eye-opener.
Flowing has progressed rapidly the past
two weeks. and all around US the bare
black fields, with their rich earthly smell,
are ready to receive seed and bring forth in
abundance. We see the effects of last win
ter's soaking rains in the soil this year,
but we are beginning to cock an anxious
eye aloft for some indications of "more to
follow" A good rain would be very accept
able.
The orchards of California impress an
Eastern visitor very curl0usly. To begin
with they are larger than he is accustomed
TO see. Then, the trees are unlike the trees
he knows. He is not used to seeing orch
ards plowed, and he misses the green turf
and the clover that he has always considered
the orthodox and proper thing in an orchard.
There's some sense in that, he thinks, and
then one can turn in the pigs. to root about
but to piow the orchard These Califor-
man orchardlsts are such FOOLS
A mans opinions regarding blowing are a
tolerably good indication of the sort of far
mer he is. Some time ago two Of our lead
ing farmers put in large fields of potatoes.
One of them plowed his land thoroughly
ana then went over it again with a subsoi
pillow. His neishbor looked ON and smiled
over such waste Of time and strength.
"Wait till the harvest comes" said he of
of the plow; results will tell" When
the harvest came the man who had sub
soiled bis land took off 100 sacks of pOta-
toes to the.acre, while his neighbor took off
fifty. Results told
Christmas passed very quietly with us
this year. The Episcopal and Catholic
churches lreld the usual services. and good
congregations turned out to each. The
Presbyterian church celebrated the season
by Christmas festival and Christmas tree
for the little ones. There were quite a
number of pleasant family reunions, and
many Of our absentees were at home for the
day.
General James II. Morris of Litchfield,
MIMI, has been the guest for the past ten
days of Rev. Il. G. Crump. He is pleased with
California, and the attractions of our little
valley have caused him to prOlong his stay
| beyond his original intention.
Squire and Mrs. Dickson, who have been
| spending some time with us. have gone to
| Southern California. They will spend q
couple of months at the Hotel Coronado,
whittier the Squire goes in the hope that sea-
| bathing will prove beneficial in aiding him
| to get rid of the unpleasant after effects of
| la grippe. Their many Centeryille friends
| hope to be able to persuade them to return
| for a longer visit here.
The most important event in the immedi-
| ate future, in the eyes of our young people,
| is the ball which comes Off on New Year 5
eve. under the direction of Colonel Pullen.
Great preparations are making for it, and a
| grand time is anticipated.
The scarlet rash, which our friends at Niles
and Mission San Jose have been subject to,
has reached Centerville and is claiming a
number Of victims. Mrs. j. A. Bunting,
Mrs. Evelyn and Mrs. Antrim are down
with 1t, as also Miss Kate and Juss us Over
acker. Fortunately the public school closed
before the disease made its appearance
among us, so there is no danger of it becum-
ing epidemic.
CenteyviLte, Dec. 26, 1890. c. c.