The San Francisco call., 1896-03-15

making farming success by the abolition
of prevailing methods of short leases.
He also sees the realization of vision
he had forty years ago. In 1857 he first
visited Livermore Valley, where land was
taxed for % cents an acre, and as he now
looks at the same land covered with towns
and railroads and coal mines he declares
that there is very prosperous future for
the valley.
"When I rode over the valley in 1857 it
was covered with luxuriant growth OF
wild OATS" said Judge Taylor yesterday.
"At that time Robert Livermore, who had
obtained grant from the Mexican Gov
ernment of four leagues of land, aban-
doned half of the grant, because he did not
think it worth the taxes. AS late is 1864
George May purchased tract from one
of the heirs of Livermore for $4 an acre.
l met gentleman on the road
as was driving through the valley, who
told me of Mays purchase. He made the
remark that Mays money was thrown
away. However, the same gentleman who
questioned Mr.. Mays business ability
bought in 1873 tract of land of nearly
800 acres few miles west OF Mays pur-
chase. for which he paid 800 an acre.
1.-THE natural soil of Livermore always vas
unusually productive. Considering the
gravelly nature of some portions OF the
valley the yield of wheat was surprise to
the early settlers. In many instances
$500 pounds of wheat to the acre was
harvested from the lighter soil, and in the
heavier soil the yield was greater.
I'm 1S72, l think it was, Antoine Bord-
cini planted the first vineyard OF foreign
grapevines in the eastern portion of the
valley, near a part of the Montgomery
estate. 1t was not success, but in 1878
the vineyard passed into the control OF
party who, by good cultivation and judi
cious pruning, gradually brought the vine-
yard into bearing. The third crop proved
such success that the industry was soon
after thoroughly established.
From 1868 large portions OF our valley
have been cropped continually. The ex-
ceptlons to that rule are such portions as
have been put out to vineyards and Or
chards and the very few farms that have
been leased Tor term OF years.
ION the last mentioned farms the
tenants have been successful. The system
OF summer following and pasturlng IS
gradually restoring the original strength
and productiveness of the soil. But when
we turn to that portion of the valley that
is cursed by short or yearly leases, dis
couraging condition of things is ap-
parent a LACK of necessary improveme nts,
houses unfit for families to occupy and
@e -. Aioi Wy PiO'SS..
the storms of the winter months. In many
instances there are no fences at all, and
subdivision fences, which would enable
tenant TO pasture q few COWS on green
fallow, cannot be afforded. Ii tenant
should ask such landlord for place
where he could keep butter cool or milk
clean he would be met with very decided
refusal. With such condition OF things
how can tenant succeedp
First the landlord arranges to take the
last cent out of the tenant that he Will
bear. Then the tenants only show is TO
take from the land all he can possibly
extract from it without returning any
thing to the soil. When the crop Is har-
vested he IS forced to move it or let 1t rot
on the ground where it is. Everything is
turned on to the market at a time when
the market Is always at the very lowest
price.
I'm many cases the tenant has to hurry
up, because he has to hunt another place,
and what Is still worse, he cannot pay the
current expenses of the year. and some OF
MS credltors have TO charge his account up
TO the wrong side of the ledger. Such con-
oltions should not exist in our beautlful
valley. We want change of landlords
more than change of tenants--a class OF
men VINO will look ahead for longer Pc
ROO tnan one year; who can see ana rec
ognlze the fact that it Twill pay them to
1urnish their tenants comfortable houses
10 i've In and the necessary. buildings
connected-barn sufficient for stock,
FENCES and subdivision fences that Will
enable him to pasture or green faiiow
= portion OF the farm every year. Inen l
tninK Thrift and success will take the
place OF annual failures, and the Landlord