Mesa free press., 1893-09-21
A Colossal Enterprise.
Fruit Trees by the
Million.
Alexander & lannon's
Nurseries.
A Model Fruit Farm, a Blrronial
Estate and Nursery Second
to None on the Coast.

The Argus has had much to say in
the past regarding the adaptabillty OF
Butte county climate and soil for the
production of the various fruits and
vines, and while we have predicted
and noted from time to time during
the last five years the progress and
enlargement of the horticultural in
terests in this immediate vicinity,
none but a prophet could have even
immagined the wonderful develop
ments which would and have actually
taken place in so short a timet In
the past we had passed through the
orchards on Rio Bonito, the lands of
which only five years ago were used
for wheat and barley fields and pas
turage by a few men, and we have
watched the same lands change in
production from the cereals to orchard
and vine of growth beauty, and grand
eur until we were dazzed by the
metamorphosis. but never did we
conceive of the wonderful perfection,
development and completeness as we
found our trip through six miles of
orchards there Tuesday last. The $50
acre orchard tract Of Reed & John
son-lying along the Feather river
road we found growing grandly, and
the three-year-old trees were laden
with fruit almost to the extent of
breaking down. Then coming north
ward we passed through the Hatch &
Rock Co.'S 1850 acres Of three and
four year old trees every variety,
where a hundred AID fifty men are
busily engaged in cultivating, wedding
picking and packing the immense
crop, and then on to the orchard and
nursery farm Of Alexander & Ham
mon, lying between the famous Hatch
4 Rock o. orchard and the splendid
200 acre orchard tract Of w. Treat &
Son, from which about 80 carloads Of
green tru.t will be shipped this
season.
The Alexander & Harmon place,
the youngest of these orchards, the
proprietors having only commenced
breaking the ground In November
1891-but little over two years ago
and yet there. are 400 acres of the
finest trees that can be produced
anywhere. AS we approached the
fine residence nicely situated and
shaded by enormous stately oak trees,
we were made welcome by Mr. Ham
mon, who oourteously consented to
convey us over the orchard and
nursery provided we would wait until
after lunch, which we heartily con-
sented to do; and let us here remark
that seldom has it been our good
fortune to partake of as good a meal
as was presided: over by our kind
hostess, Mrs. Harmon. Excellent
vegetables and fruits of all kinds.
produced on the orchard farm, every
thing that could have been desired to
please the taste and satisfy an alb
sorbing appetite.
After lunch we were invited to take
a ride through the orchard and nur-
sery, and well were we repaid for our
drive. We first drave through 200
acres of nursery that would excite the
admiration Of the most eminent and
scientific nurseryman of any country
or locality, the life Of which in seed
and stock has been selected with
utmost care and inspection. The
nursery is laid out in large blocks
with particular regard to classes and
varieties, each respective class by
itself, access to every block, class and
variety being made easy by well kept
avenues running at right angles
through the tract, and as whole,
presenting a magnificent appearance
like unto an immense park of beauti-
full green squares with walks on all
sides. In this tract composing the
many blocks. upwards of 100000
trees budded last season, consisting of
various varieties and classes per-
tanning to and including all kinds of
trees and constitute general nursery
aAoalx tho troo. ~, .,c-;.,e<