The herald., 1893-10-22

grasses grow luxuriantly. Butthe great
fodde- plant of California is alfalfa, and
nowhere else in the state does it grow
better. Under one OF the new canals
near independence, two years ago a
tract OF land was sown with alfalfa in
September. The land had just been
cleared of sage brush. From exactly
five acres OF that tract the following
season go tons of cured hay were put
into stack. But the average crop OF
alfalfa that is calculated upon with cer-
tainty is five tons per acre. In addition
to this, however, from the beginning OF
November till the end of March horses
and cattle are pastured in the alfalfa
fields. Vast fiocks OF sheep are brought
into the valley every year. and during
the fall months many farmers rent the
pasture of their alfalfa fields to the sheep
owners, getting a good rent for it.
Potatoes of the finest Quality are grown
the average crop. year after year, is seven
tons per acre OF marketable potatoes.
From one single acre IS tons of msrketa-
BILE potatoes have been taken.
For all kinds of deciduous fruits no
other part of South California is so we'll
suited. Cherries, apricots, nectarines
and peaches are not surpassed in deli
ciuas flavor anywhere. Prunes are
never-failing crop, and the dried fruit
has no superior. This will certainly grow
into an important industry Grapes of
all the best varieties for wine-making
and table use grow luxuriantly. The
climate is entirely free from fogs, the
constant sunshine makes the grapes
rich in sugar, therefore frst-class rails
ins can be produced. Almond trees
grow rapidly and produce well; English
walnuts have not yet been extensively
planted, but those now growing already
produce good crops of nuts. Pears OF
the beet varieties are certain crop and
cannot bs excelled. But the chief fruit
is the apple. Other counties OF South
ern California grow apples, but none can
compare with those OF Owens valley;
for size, color, flavor and keeping quail
ties these are not equaled.
For all time to come Owens valley
must have a virtual monopoly of the
market for apples at Los Angeles. The
expense of caring for an apple orchard
is SO very much less than an orange or
chard that the grower of apples has
great advantages in that direction over
the grower of oranges. In addition to
that. with good winter apples the
grower has all winter to dispose of his
crop and can cell according as
the market is favorable, while the
orsge grower must sell when his fruit
is ripe no matter what the state OF the
market. Apple growing is certain to
become a great interest in Owens
valley.
1t may be worth mention that every
kind of vegetables, berries or other
small fruits grown in the temperate |
zone grow luxuriantly in Inyo county.
As already stated, the small cost OF get
ting water upon the land and the sparse
population of the county make land very
cheap. Land that will produce all the
fruits, grains and other products already
described can be bought at prices rang
ing from $15 to $40 per acre. In every
Ease this means as certain title to the |
water as to the land, and the usual pro-
portion OF water is one inch to two acres.
IN other counties of South California the
water is one inch to from five to 10
'cres. One, OF the new canals
ately completed near 1ndepend-
'nce has capacity of $4,000
inches and covers tract of 80, 900 acres.
The whole of this tract is now ready for
and could be bought for
TAO AL uClC n uIlol fl6lJ W |
the tract would satisfy any one as to the /
1~~litT ns +he Land niEa-As.ea ni nrices |
as given does not signify differences OF
luality OF land, but means that some |
tracts have more improvements than
others the land throughout the valley
"a nearly uniform in character.
The population of Owens valley is
about 3400; schools are located at con-
venient distances, great interest is taken
in education, and new school house
has been built at most of the districts
within the past three or four years.
There is an excellent academy at Bishop |
1nder the care of the M. f. church, but
no sectarian doctrines are taught. The |
Carson and Colorado railroad extends
the whole length of the valley from
Owens lake northward. 1t connects
with the Central Pacific railroad at
Reno, New, and gives &C.
cess to San Francisco by that
route. But this natural outlet is
toward Los Angeles. While Keeler, the
present terminus of the Carson and Col
orado railroad on the shore OF Owens
lake, is distant from San Francisco over
800 miles, it is but 200 miles distant
from Los Angeles. A gap OF over 100
miles remains to be closed from Keeler
to Moiave in order to give direct access
by rail to Los Angeles. The route is
over an open country with no heavy
grades to overcome and can be cheaply
A survey was made few
months ago and the prospect is good for
the road being built within short time.
The building OF this piece of road will be
quickly followed by rapid increase OF
land values in Inyo county. About 35
miles south from Owens lake is Indian
Wells valley, This tract contains AGO.
600 acres of land, alike in character to
the land of Owens valley. At present
there is not one human inhabitant
there; herds of cattle pasture upon it at
all seasons. 1t is propose to build q
canal from Owens river to convey wafer
upon that tract. The company who
propose doing the work have bought
to canals in Owens valley and paid g
large part of the price. These canals,
it ia intended to enlarge. unite and ex-
tend them to Indian Wells valley.
1t is not doubted that there is plenty
of water for this purpose. Owens river
has a food season, like the mississippi;
it begins to rise in April and reaches full
food about the end Of June. On July
9th last at point on the river below
where any canals now exist, fully 500, 900
inches of water was running to waste in
Owens lake. The completion OF this
work, with the land in Owens valley,
would open up about 100000 acres of
land. All of this vast tract being 30
near Los Angeles would rapidly fill up
with most desirable class OF settlers,