The record-union., 1897-11-22

a jury set him down as a perjurer who
ought to be doing time for the State.
Circumstances are not infallible. They
sometimes make things look bad for
an innocent man, but more men have
been sworn to the gallows by liars
than ever had their fame tarnished
by circumstantial evidence. Yes, the
Mall is right. We congratulate it.
RENEW THE PASTURES.
Santa Rosa Republican: Every year
the pasture lands of Sonoma County
produce a scantier herbage. 1t requires
more and more land to keep the same
amount Of stock in good condition
Cattlemen have not yet unitedly faced
the feed problem with view to solv-
ing it, but evidently it has perplexed
many. Eventually the native grasses
will die out. California grasses are as
! a rule not restored from the roots as
they, are In regions of summer rain
where roots do not die. Here they are
propagated each autumn from the seed
of the preceding crop. If the seed be
entirely consumed by the stock there
Will be but barren ground and only the
weeds and other plants that do not
contain nutrition will remain.
The restoration of pastures can be ac :
complished by the introduction Of va
rieties of grasses which make a luxu-
nriant growth and have roots that pene-
trate deep into the soil and are capable
of sustaining their life from one season
to the next.
In the selection of new grasses with
which to restore the pastures great care
should be exercised. The experimental
stations that are maintained by the
State and nation in different sections
OF California have been investigating
the properties of different varieties and
studying the best means for cultivat-
ing them. The adaptability of each to
certain soils is being studied. Bulle-
tins relating to this matter may be
had on application to the Agricultural
College of the State University. 1t
might be well for stock men whose
feed supply has become impoverished
to obtain these bulletins.
HACKMEN'S RIGHTS.
Los Angeles Times: During the re-
cent discussion of the hdtching ordi-
nance, much has been said in regard to
the rights and wrongs of the hackmen.
This class certainly has the right to
zens, but no more. 1t is claimed that
the hcckmen exercise a considerable
pull" at election times What this has
to do with the proper regulation of
street traffic is not apparent to the
average citizen who has not delved into
the recesses of municipal politics. In
European cities public vehicles have
stands on side streets to positions on
which they are entitled by the payment
of a small monthly fee. Nobody there
thinks of complaining because he can
not find a hack in front Of his door.
Both the hackmen and their patrons
Woul1 soon become accustomed to a
proper and reasonable regulation Of this
matter on the lines that are followed in
all large cities.
DO NOT GLUT THE ORANGE MAR
KET.
Los Angeles Herald: The railroad
people gather from the shippers of or
anges that there is likely to be moved
total of not less than 800 carloads
OF this fruit by the middle of Decem-
Der. II this is, done we shall see the
greatest glut Of the market on record
The crop is fine in quality and the
fruit is larger and of higher color than
1t ever has been before at even date.
But for all that, California oranges are
poor thing to eat until after New
ears day. The color may be on the
peel but the sweetness is not in the
pulp. Nor is there much demand for
oranges so early in the season People
have been enjoying fresh vegetables and
fresh fruit for many months, while ap-
pies and cranberries are still plentiful
Consumers have not become tired of
winter vegetables taken from pits and
cellars, nor is their blood thick with too
liberal partaking of pork and beans and
buckwheat cakes BY the time spring
begins to shed its promise there comes
a longing for something piquant in ones
daily diet. Then are these oranges in
demand.
To supply the holiday trade there is
moderate call for handsome, highly
colored oranges and the flavor does not
enter so much into the calculation of
the buyers. They want effective dec
orations for dinner tables and Christ
mas trees, and this demand is from a
class with whom price does not count
much. If the fruit costs 81 per dozen.
that is all right. and were ii offered at
10 cents the demand would not be
greatly increased For this trade ship
pers can get big prices for moderate
quantity of oranges, but to glut the
market would be disastrous.
There is, besides another point of
view on which to keep the eye steadfast.
If these oranges are thrown on the
Eastern market at low prices, they will
be bought by the unwary to be used as
food. The experience will be disap-
pointing and the bad impression made
will create prejudice against Califor-
MIA oranges for all the rest of the year.
WALL STREET SCARES
San Diego Union: There are indica-
tions that speculative interests that
find it to their advantage to promote
war scares, are busying themselves in
efforts to make people believe that
trouble with Spain is to be inaugural
ed by Congress as soon as that body
meets There is nothing In the pres
ent situation to warrant these alarmist
views. Spain processes to have chang
ed her Cuban policy. She appears anx-
ious to conciliate the United States. 1t
is quite possible that the time LIS not
very far distant when this country will
be compelled to intervene to end the
strife in Cuba. But that precipitate
action is to be taken by Congress inn
mediately after 1t meets next month,
seems improbable. 1t is likely that
these Wall-street war scares will con-
tinue, but they are not apt to have
much effect except upon few peculiar
ly sensitive stocks.
EPTrTT~ pFSTS