The herald., 1894-01-01
comfort than whore there is greater

the nObbo6b WoAJucT WlthOub icht VI SUI
stroke is sufficient testimony to the
harmlesenese OF the comparatively hign
temperature experienced here at times.
1t necessarily follows that the dry,
warm atmosphere of this region 10
healthy to a degree. Particularly is it
beneficial to those suffering from throat
and pulmonary troubles, who frequently
find relief here that is not vouchssfed
them elsewhere.
While the climate has its disadvanta-
ges, it is nevertheless possessed of ad-
vantages which minimize every objection
that can be urged against it.
Kern county is destined to achieve it's
greatest reputation in the domain of
horticulture. Results have been OBJ
tanned here in the cultivation of peaches,
grapes and other fruits that are not ex-
celled by any other locality.
The peach is the favored tree. Planted
in this genial soil and judiciously wat
cred, fruit ia produced in considerable
quantity the second year, while the
third season the amount is simply as
founding. From that time on the crops
increase until full maturity. and the
record made by Kern valley peach orch
ards ia without superior. Profits OF
over $400 an acre have been made from
single crops.
The grape is likewise great favorite,
and when properly planted and treated,
raisins OF a superior quality are pro-
duced. The different rsisin, table and
wine varieties thrive, and the results
that have been achieved warrant the
conclusion that this section has no su-
perior and few if any equals IN these
features.
for
sively and successfully cultivated, while
pears, apples and other fruits thrive
wherever planted.
The olive and the fig are not behind
other fruits, and Kern county figs,
properly cured and packed. bring the
highest prices and are greatly esteemed
in the San Francisco market.
Walnuts, ohestDuts, pecans and al
monds are all in successful cultivation,
either perimentslly or on large
scale and all are inviting zelda for ef-
fort.
In sheltered localities and in the lower
foothills, oranges and lemons of choice
quality have been produced for years.
The local market ia at present abund-
| antly supplied from the orange orchard
at Tejon.
To he brief. every fruit that is grown
in any part of California finds locality
in Kern county adapted to its cultiva-
ton.
Eastern farmers know little about ir-
rigation, except from heareay. There is
no space to go into details here, but it
will suffice to cay that by irrigation
every possible element of chance is re-
moved from agricultural pursuits, and
the farmer who irrigRtes can plow,
plant aud cultivate in the serene and
absolute ASSURANCE that ne will in due
time reap an abundant harvest. For
him drought has no terrors.
All farming operations in Kern CONN.,
ty, as in various other portions of Cali
fornia, are conducted with the aid OF
irrigation. To supply the water needed,
the Kern river, which is 6 never failing
stream with its source among the eter-
nal SHOWS and glaciers OF the lofty
Sierra, is tapped by no less than 27
canals of varying size, and with over
1900 miles of latersls by which the
water is conducted wherever wanted.
The labor of irrigation is very small
indeed by the side OF the benefits con-
ferred, while the cost, which does not
exceed $l.50 an acre annually, is 80
small when compared with the assur-
ancs given of large crop, which could
not by any possibility be raised without
water, that it cuts no figure with the
beneficiary. All branches of agricul-
ture in Kern county are carried on with
the aid of irrigation.
The leading feature is the cultivation
of alfalfa, this county having larger
acreage OF this remarkably prolific for
age plant than any other county in the
United States. There is something like
100000 acres OF it, and it yislds an aver
age of six tons OF hay to the acre each
season. Three crops year are cut, and
during the remainder OF the year it il
pastured.
As many as three head of COWS OF
horses, or Is to 70 head OF sheep or hogs
may De kept the yesr round on the pro-
duct of single acre. A net return o
$40 an acre of alfalfa converted into hay
} is by no means uncommon.
Grain is raised extensively by the aiC
, of irrigation. In such cases the watel
is supplied at small cost, and it costs
J little to put in the land. Without irri-
/, CATION grain is a precarious crop anC
} frequently total failure, while adjacen
J fields that have been supplied witt
water give handsome return.
Splendid crops OF corn. both Indiar
l and Egyptian, are produced with littll
irrigation. These cereals are largely
/ used for fattening hogs, which arr
l raised on alfalfa and fattened for mar
ket On corn. There is ready marke
J at good prices for all the hogs that cal
, be raised, and the establishment OF ex-
tensive packinghouses at San Franciec'
and Los Angeles makes it certain tina
3 this market will be permanent.
r Potatoes, beets, squashes, and al
kinds OF field crops are raised in profu
3 zion by the aid of water. When desired
: it is possible to raise two crops of man,
products in single season, and not in
: frequently these crops will realize q
g much as the first cost OF the land.
: General farming can be and is carrie'
on in Kern county with greater assur
7 snce OF success than in any region wher
! irrigation is not practiced. Vegetable
e are grown the year round, the gardel
< supplying something fresh every day.
. Dalrying and poultry keeping. whel
i followed systematically and intelligent
ly, are valuable adjuncts to the genera
L purpose farm, while every cereal an
a farm crop grown anywhere in the east
: ern or southern states can be cultivate
r with success here.
4 Up to the time OF building of th
railroad into this valley little had bee
i done toward the development of thes
y resources, nearly the entire region be
/ ing given up TO stockraising. But th