New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-21
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
THE FRUIT GROWERS AND IRRIGATION
HIGH LICENSE IN OAKLAND.
TBY TELEoRAPu TO rHp TkIBUNp.1


San Francisco, June 20.-The large raisn pro-
ducers Of Fresno County met here this week 10
devise means fer improving the grade of Cali
fornia raisns. Butler. Forsyth and Berry send
out raisins which are equal TO the best Spanish
varieties but many smaller growers who pack
their product carelessly, fail to grade them ac-
cording to size, and thus demoralize the market.
The reports sent out of the failure of the
southern California prune crop were misleading
The crop is not so large in the southern coun'es
as last year, but lite quality is better. The total
crop of the State is estimated at 100000
pounds, or million more than last year Inc
new acreage planted in prunes this year is heavy
Another big Irrigation enterprise has been
begun in San Diego County. 1t is for the ior-
nation of huge reservoir to receive The sur
plus flow Of the San Jacnto River Ihe res
ervsir will cover 10 1000 acres will have depth
of twelve feet, and will irngate $4,000 acres.
The valley which it will water is now planted
TO wheat and barley, but large area will soon
be put in fruit and vines
The work of the Boys and Girls Aid Society
for the past year is highly creditable Two hun
dred and hfty-four children have been saved from
prison and sent to good homes in the country.
The home is in urgent need of separate place for
cirls and il is also desired 70 get l60 acres OF
land near the city where boys may be taught
farming under a competent manager. 1t is an eX-
ceent charity which deserves the support OF every
Californian
The people of Oakland, after q long fight
have secured high license and have shut up the
pool-rooms The liquor license fee has been raised
TO $500 year, with 81 900 bond. Its rigid en-
forcement has closed all the small grog-
aeries which were source of great de-
moralization. Oakland is city of homes,
and sustains the same relation to San Francisco
that Brooklyn does TO New-York. Nine-tenths OF
its citizens are in favor of high license. but 1t has
taken them several years TO knock out the whisky
ring.
Work is progressing rapidly on the Baden Stock
Yards. about half way between here and San
Mateo The buildings will have the latest i'm
provements and capacity of slaughtering 1000
cattle daily
A weekly journal devoted TO irrigation will soon
be established here by George J. Weeks, agricultural
editor of 1.-The Chronicle" and one of the best
authorities in the State on fruit growing and the
effect of water on horticultural land. 1t will be
the recognized organ of all the new irrigation
district and it cannot fail to be good work.
In pointing out the big profits from convert
ing wheat farms into orchards and vineyards,
John P Irish who edited The San Francisco
Alta" until it died natural death, purposes to
start weekly AGRICULTURAL newspaper here. Irish
is a good writer but his knowledge Of agri-
culture or fruit-growing is purely theoretical, al
though he tries to assume the character OF
granger by refusing to wear necKtle
1t is probable that legal technicality may
defeat the plan To encourage ramie culture Ill
California A recent legislative act provides
$4,000 10 stimulate the culture of this valuable
fbrous plant. and $2,40O for two years salary
of an inspector. The grouping Of these two APP
proprations in one bill conflicts with clause
In Tie State Constitution; but it is hoped that
The State Supreme Court may rule that these
two items may legally be regarded as single
appropriation
The military patrol of the Yosemite National
Park has shown that sheep herders and cattle
raisers have a wholesome fear of the Government;
places which the cattle formerly roamed over 20
the detrment Of the grass and young forest growth
now know them no more In three or four
wears the wisdom of shutting out these depreda-
tions viii he SEEN as fine young forest will be
growing where now there is nothing but chap
para1