The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-15

IN and surrounding the place is carried on
Dy Italians and Portuguese who have set
tied in the place. They are thrifty lot,
much more peaceable than the tough
native element, aid very largely in
Keeping up the neat appearance of
town, and. as general thing, are all pro-
ducers OF some kind or other. During the
dull seasons they lounge around the town
more or less. and as they are about the only
purely stay-at-homesclass this accounts for
the fact that stranger may go from end to
end IN the daytime aud not hear dozen
words in English. The time to see San
Leandro at her best Is in the evening, when
all her people are at home and there is some
interesting social event on hand. The day
may have reminded one Of Sunday in a
country church-yard, but the scene will
have been greatly Transformed long before
midnight.
There are no hygienic objections to San
Leandro. A healthier place would be
HARD TO FIND.
Whenever it shall become necessary to
drain the town the best opportunities are
afforded. The elevation is sufficient TO give
good fall, and no engineering difficulties
whatever stand in the way. The water
supply could not be more perfect and CON-
plete. San Leandro is located at the base
of the hills in which Lake Chabot nestles,
and its pure crystal water flows in iron
arteries all over the town with pressure
OF 800 teet elevation. Fire hydrantS are set
at sale distances and a well-organiZed hose
company gives the town absolute protection
against fire. A fire engine. indeed, would
be a hindrance. The pressure is naturally
greater than an engine could give, and by
simply attaching the hose to the hydraut
force Is obtained that puffs out fire in
no time. Generous use of this fine water
supply accounts, too, for the large number
OF beautiful yards and lawns.
The country surrounding San Leandro,
and OF which she originally formed part,
has been noted since the early days of Cali
fornia for its wonderful truit-produciug
qualities. There is no better soil. 1t will
grow anything luxuriantly that can be pro-
duced in the semi-trOpics. 1t has become
actually famous for its garden truck" the
abundance and excellence of which has
been for many years the boast of the San
Francisco and Oakland markets. Cherries.
apricotS, pruneS, pears, peaches, almonds.
raisins and grapes are raised in wonderful
abundance, and even inside the town limits
are still a great many beautiful orchards
The chief Industry all summer long is of
course the fruit harvest. and no one can
realize
ITS MAGNITUDE
Without having witnessed it. Carload after
carload leaves the station daily for Eastern
markets. New York, Chicago aud New Or
leans, and so well established is the reputa-
ton of San Leandro fruit in those markets
that the supply is never equal to the de-
mand. San Francisco gets but very little
OF the best products OF this fertile country.
The one question of great Importance to
San Leandro is that of communication
When it is assured equal privileges with
Oakland. Alameda and Berkeley the race
will be no uncertain one. At present but
seven trains connect the town daily with
San Francisco. This affords all perhaps that
is needed for certain class, but it does not
begin to meet the general wish. When the
number has been doubled, from 800 to 500
will take advantage of them instead of 200,
and still greater number will increase the
traffic IN like proportion. For every addi-
tional train the value of property increases
10 per cent and in some cases the mere pros
pect of increased travelling conveniences
puts new stitfening in the prices. A short
time ago H. w. Meek, wealthy resident of
Haywards. obtained franchise to build an
electric railroad from Brooklyn Station,
East Oakland. to Haywards, distance of
sixteen miles. and running right through
San Leandro. At single bound
property in that town went up 33l5 per cent.
1t is believed the road will be running in
less than year, and then values will take
another jump. for it will bring Oakland
right into the town, and, to certain extent,
overcome the drawbacks of the seven-train
limit. The power-hOuse Of this system will
be erected on the Warner tract just north
OF the town.
Two fairly good-sized manufacturing es-
Establishments are already located in San
Leandro, and others are promised when the
season is ripe. The Best Agricultural
Works give employment to 100 men, and
the Hopper Agricultural Works employ
about forty men.
One of the excellent features of San Lean
dro Industry is the farming of small tracts.
Many family is well supported on the
profits OF five and ten acre tracts, all turned
to fruit ana vegetable raising.
The town boasts of a fairly good town
hail. weekly paper, two public plazas and
two or three hotels,