Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-07-08
An Opportunity Afforded to Observe
the Practical Effect and Results
of Thorough Irrigation.
A Cactus Desert Transformed Into q
Paradise by the Simple APP
plication of Water.
Description of the Most Splendidly
Entertained Excursion Ever Visit
ing the Pacific Coast.
A Month in Clover.

A Month in Glover.
BISMARCK, N. D. June, 1S- Delayed
Correspondence. Probably no ex-
cursion party ever visiting the
Pacific coast country was so
royalty entertaice ed as were the members
of the National Editorial association,
who spent the month of May and part of
June in that region. From the time of
entering the state of California until tho
time Of departure the entire party of
about 800 was treated as an excursion
occupying two trains with a special
itinerary, covering all the most import.
ant cities. valleys and resorts in Cali
fornia. For two weeks the delegates
were hauled in their special cars back
and forth through the beautiful valleys
and over the grand mountains Of that
state.
The party travelled over $500 miles in
California and there was not one tedious
moment spent from San Diego and the
Mexican boundary on the south to
Mount Shasta and the Oregon line on
the north. Those who have never
visited Southern California may read
columns of descriptive matter about it.,
and still have but a faint conception Of
its grandeur. After riding over the
deserts of Colorado, New Mexico,
Arizona and Eastern California-bleak,
barren wastes, except where irrigation
has been applled-how delightful it
seems to suddenly drop down the mount
ain slope into
ORANGE GROVES AND FLOWERS.
It is a transformation scene, SURPRISING
the widest and most exaggerated imagi-
nation. From a desert to a paradise in
three hours-a paradise made on desert
land by the simple aid of water. Nature
furnishes the soil, climate and mountain
streams and the ingenuity of man has
wrought wonders in the application.
Our party reached Barstow on the
morning of May 18th, where we we're
met by a reception committee from San
B~ernardino, and also representatives of
the state committee. Barstow is we'll up
in the mountains and surrounded by
desert land. No vegetation in sight save
the cactus, palm, sage and greese wood
and other desert shrubs. 1t was at this
point the party were first greeted with
flowers, fruits and other products of
California. After leaving Barstow men,
bers Of the reception committee passed
through the trains laden with the most
gorgeous bouquets of roses, Gala lilies,
and flowers Of all kinds What a treat
for the ladies. Still others of the com
mittee deposited a case of native wine
and a box of delicious oranges in the
smoking department Of each car. What
a treat for the gentlemen. At San Ber-
nardino the ladies had prepared an ele.
CANT lunch and the dining room was
banked with roses. Here was the begin.
ming of California hospitality, the like of
which 40 member of the editorial party
W experienced before. From that
time on for three weeks the tour was
simply a succession of ovations, the
ladies in each town taking the leading
part in the arrangement of the festivi-
ties.
The first Sunday in California was
spent at
SAN DIEGO AND CoRANADo BEACH,
the famous resort. Coranado has
q climate found nowhere else in the
world, and also the largest hotel in the
world. Eight hundred Of US were as.
signed sleeping rooms, each with a large
sitting room, and still there was room
for more. Eight hundred of us sal
down at one time in the great DINING
room, and still there was room for two
hundred more without using the break.
fast room. Under the same roof is ar
opera house and dancing pavilion of i'm.
mense proportions. Delightful? That
half expresses it. On n side the most
beautiful grounds that expert landscape
gardeners, with unlimited means at theil
command could achieve-a forest Q,
tropical plants and Howers--and on th.