The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21


tnere are several acres of blackberries,
winch are, as rule, easily cultivated and
yleId an annual average of three 10 four
tons per acre, and at prices that show a
proht OF aDout 500 net per acre.
WHERE THE FARMER Is HAPPY.
Large, handsome residences are passed
at frequent intervals, some OF which are
elegant enough for Kings and Queens to
occupy. What would the old New Eng
land, or even the average Western farmer,
think OF farm-houses provided with ali
modern conyeniences OF city residences
telephones connecting them with the
leading cities of the state; electric wires
throughout the house by which to sum-
mon the servants, elegantly finished and
richly furnished apartments: steamboats,
landing in front OF the door at the beck OF
the farmer? And yet there are farmers
living along the banks OF the Sacramento
and American Rivers who enjoy all these
bieSSings-Inen who can reckon their
wealth by the hundreds OF thousands,
and who have made it ell out of the pro-
duets of their orchards and diaries.
" hile great prosperity has attended the
efforts of the river farmers and orchard
lists, those who occupy the lands lying be-
tween the bottoms and the rolling land
near the foothills have been almost as
successful. In the vicinity OF Florin and
ELK Grove are some of the most product
i've vineyards and berry farms in the
State, and their area is being yearly eX-
tended.
FERTILE BOTTOM LANDS.
Along the lower Sacramento River
there are several large islands, bordered
by sloughs ana arms of the river, which
contain some Of the richest and most val
liable soil in the world. Most Of these is
lands have been etfectually leveed and re-
claimed, and in the coming years will be-
come the garden spots of the coast. Grand
Island, which is now thoroughly re-
claimed, contains some 5000 acres, every
foot of which is capable of producing sew
erai crops per year of various kinds of
vegetables. Some of the finest pear or
chardS in the State are on these river is
lands.
CULTURE OF THE GRAPE.
The American river farms and orchards
are also wonderfully productive and
wealth. yielding to their owners Bor-
dering on that stream Tor several miles
between Sacramento and Folsom twenty
miles Distant is the famous Natoma
vineyard, covering several thousand
acres, from which train-Ioads Of grapes
are daily shipped East during the fruit
season.
RAISING OF LIVE STOCK.
All the land in Sacramento is product
i've. That which is not devoted 10 raising
grain, hops, fruit or vegetables, is devoted
10 bfeeding-farms, embarrassing, dairy
ing, etc. The great Rancho del Paso
breeding farm of j. g. Haggin. with its
4, 900 acres, is in Sacramento County, and
but twenty minutes ride from the
Capitol.
FAMOUS FOR IT'S HOPS.
Sacramento County is noted as the
richest producing section of the
Union. The deep alluviai lands along
the river bottoms are specially adapted to
this industry, and the growing and ship
ment OF hops IS one Of the Lending indus
tries. The Sacramento hop crop never
fails, as 1t does periodicallyIn New FORK,
England. Germany ana other places
where made speciality. The result is
that every few years the Sacramento hop
growers realize enormous profits from
their hop-yards. There have been sea-
sons when they have yielded as high as
$1,000 per acre. 1t is q noticeable fact that
all the hop-growers of this county have
amassed considerable wealth.
IT'S sALUBRIoUs CLIMATE.
In the matter of climate Sacramento is
one of the most favored localities OF the
coast. Her winters" are comparatively
WlnterlesS, the temperature rarely falling
below 80 degrees, while, as rule, all the
uncomtortably hot days of summer can
be counted on ones fingers. The weather
varies bat little between January and
April, and from then until the last of
June or middle of July, it is soft and
balmy. The heated term extends only
from the middle OF July to September.
and it is rarely that the mercury reaches
the 100 mark. Even then the nights are
invariably cool and refreshing.
In record OF forty years the average
winter temperature has been found to be
1873; average spring temperature. $50;
SIrrgI
age autumn temperature, ola; average
annual temperature, Co.,; average number
OF clear days, 24I; average rainfall 20
inches. Sacramento holds the second
position among American cities IN the
matter OF heaithfulness, but one place
albany having lower average death
rate.
Another well-known orchardist. who
has extensive orchards on the Sacramento
River near CORTLAND, has a small patch
OF cherries, comprising in al less than
one-third Of an acre. His net sales of the
entire crop annually average about q 500.
ii the reader Will observe that this means
producing capacity of about 81. 600 per
acre, he can readily appreciate the stu
alton in comparison with any other por-
ton of the world. Almonds are a safe
and profitable crop, tho expense of cuIti-
walton being very light, while the net
profit runs from $500 10 500 per acre. In
many other specialties, such as bartlett
pears, peaches, plums, prunes, ETC.. rec
ords may be given where the average
profit per acre runs as high rs 500 and
$500.
In the case first named, however. it
must be remembered that the figures in
clude not only the cost of cultivation,
blowing. pruning, ETC., but also the cost
of picking, packing and delivering the
fruit TO the purchaser for shipment. In
the culture of the grape, Sacramento
County lands are unexceiled by any por-
ton of the State, the average production
being from three to four tons per acre.
which sell ut an average of from $40 to
$50 per ton. The cost of production is ex-
tremely small, while the proportion of
profit IS large, for grapes grown in this
county are eagerly sought for by the
Eastern shipping trade, on account Of the
extremely nne quality of the fruit.
Without going further into detail in
the matter of averages as to each separate
line of productions II is merely necessary
to make the general statement that a
family can make Q better living on ten
acres of good land i'll Sacramento County
than on the average l60 acres in the East
No better argument can be offered to
demonstrate the advantages that are open
/ to those desiring to engage in the cultiva-
ton of California products in a section
where extremely favorable conditions
continually exist.
WEALTH OF THE COUNTY.
Some Important Facts Shown by the
Assessors Report.
The taxable wealth of Sacramento
3