The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-07

600 gallon reservoir in Sweetwater Valley.
This supply irrigates thousands of acres
in Sweetwater Valley, National City,
Chula Vista aud vicinity, where lemons
and oranges are raised in abundance on
ranches that are as level as barn floors.
One of these lemon ranches contains
nearly 1000 acres in single tract, the
largest lemon orchard in the world
at Escondido, few miles back of
Oceanside, an irrigation system costing
about 100000 has just been completed
which waters about 1900 handsome
acres. The completion of this system has
brought In many new settlers to that
fruitful valley, and the increase IN the
value of its products is remarkable.
During the present season Escondido's
output of raisins alone was twenty-f five
carloads.
In June last the Southern California
Mountain Water Company began the con-
struction of the largest and most compre-
henslye irrigation system in the county.
The entire cost of this system will be up
ward of So, 600 600. The city of San Diego
IS vitality interested in this system, as it
has voted bonds to the extent of 81 900, 900
and contracted with this company for a
water supply OF 1000 inches of water per-
petuallv and for pIpe-line and distribut-
Ing system to and within the city limits.
Under the contract the purpose is TO give
the city an independent water system
from fountain head TO kitchen faucet, and
upon the completion of this vast project
many predict increased prosperity for the
whole county as well as for the city, for
the irrigating part OF this large undertake
ing will insure the development OF 10000
acres OF ranch land.
The recent decision OF the United
States Supreme Court sustaining the
Wright irri alton law will have an in
tense stimulating effect toward the speedy
settlement of San Diego fruit lands. I'm
der this decision the affairs of the Linda
Vista irrigation district, on the northern
edge OF the city, will progress and it is
believed that the A 600 acres embraced in
this district will be provided with water in
the near future. This land is frostless
and is regarded as the star lemon tract OF
California. The Jamecha district with
q, 1000 acres; the Fallbrook district with
IL 1000 acres in addition TO the Escondido
district already mentioned, all come I'M
der the beneficial influence of this deci-
sion which promises to work so much
good toward the settlement and useful
ness of these acres. Under these districts
is a total of $1,000 acres, while under the
irrigation enterprises outside of the dis
tricts are oyer100, 900 acres additional, max
ing grand total of nearly 10000 acres of
the bestfruIt lands in the State, large
part of which acreage is absolutely FROST
less. The irrigation districts now organ
lied which are yet without water works
have secured reservoir sites and water
rights which are ready for development.
Two lines Of steamers already have a
terminus at TINS port. One line operates
steamers between here and San Francisco
calling at coast ports; the second line is
between this city and Ensenada, connect
ing with steamers for the Lower Cali
fornia and Gulf ports. During the year,
representatives of the Japanese Govern
ment and of the largest steamship CON-
pany OF Japan have inspected this harbor
with much care with the purpose of