The San Francisco call., 1897-03-26

any that dwell in the mighty sea. Some
day there may be canneries here which
will supply large part OF the United
States with food prod ucts from the ocean.
A great deal OF the prosperity OF Santa
Cruz is yet to come from its mineral
wealth, great lime deposits, rock quarries
timber and other products OF the soil
The resources are as great as the county's
variety OF scenery in mountains and val
leys. Some OF the mountainsides are
wonderfully fertile, producing luxurious
growth of nearly every ything that thrives
IN the north temperate zone.
Almost one-third of Santa Cruz County
is densely covered with timber, while the
farming lands now occupy about one
fourth of the area of the county, which is
but twelve miles wide. Much of the
county is tilla BILE and particularly fertile
the Pa jaro Valley being particularly rich.
Those who have studied the situation
most carefully, believe that when Santa
Cruz becomes much larger than II is now
there will be nexcelled opportunities for
poultry ana dairy farming. Much OF the
county is admirably adapted TO such uses,
and when the population becomes sufti-
cient to consume a larger product hun
dreds of persons will doubtless engage in
these productive enterprises. Another
fruitful source of commercial profit will be
the growing of fruits, nuts, cereals ana
people will find remunerative employment
in raising apples and table grapes, for
these crops thrive here in a manner pc
culiar 10 the county. There Is delicacy
OF flavor in these fruits not found in those
from other locations.
Editor MCPHERSON of the Sentinel re-
Gently grouped the products OF the county
in the following succinct manner:
The principal products include wine,
brandy, ium ber, cord wood. poultry, eggs,
butter, cheese, wheat, fruit wool, sheep,
hay, sugar beets, sugar, asphaltum,
powder, lime, granite, rock for building
and paving, leather, paper, soap, glue and
other manufactured products. besides
we'll estspllshed fisheries along the bay"
Direct lines OF railroad connect Santa
Cruz with San Jose, Oakland, San Fran
cisco, Monterey, Gllroy, Salinas and all
points south. The narrow gauge trav-
erses a wonderful forest of redwood,
passing through the famous Big Tree
Grove, a never to be forgotten ride through
the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The broad gauge extends along the bay
and AROUND the mountains by way of
Watsonville.
Santa cruz has always taken just pride
in the pubic school system. As a result
the schools are second to those Of no
other city. More than 1000 pupils are
registered. Graduates from the High
DCHOOl are du 10 tuo Stdle OHlftT-
slty without further examination.
The CALL is enabled to reproduce CO.
pious extract from one of the best short
descriptions ever written of Santa Cruz
County. IL appeared in MeyricK's Hand
book few years ago, but the volumes are
now very rare. The pertinent portions of
the description are as follows:
santa Cruz County, of which the city
of Santa Cruz is the county seat, has an
area OF little over 100000 acres, about
one-third being fertile valley plateau and
rolling hill land and ct least 40 900 acres
bottom land OF a very rich description.
"The county has some fifty miles of
coast along the ocean and the bay of Mon
terey, running pack TO the SUBMITS of the
Santa Cruz range of mountains and form
ing a view of almost perfect aspect, facing
the sea on the south and protected from
northwest to east by high. well-wooded
hills, the highest point, Iona Prieta,
rising some 40o0 feet above the sea, the
whole area being in full enjoyment of a
south-southeast 10 west exposure.
High ridges and small valleys, gorges
ana canyons run down from the noun.
taIns. partly clothed in redwood, pine, fir
and various evergreens, as we'll as oak,
maple and many other varieties of decidu-
GUS trees.
Scattered through this mountain forest
region are many lumber mills and small
agricultural settlements, many of the lat
ter more or less devoted to fruit and wine
growing. Many of the orchards and vine
yards are still in their infancy, but every
one gives proof that all the valuable fruits
OF temperate and semi-tropical latitudes
will grow in great perfection on these hill
sides and will very soon cover sufficient
area 10 warrant the starting of large fruit
canning and drying establishments
The people OF this charming seaside re-
sort are studying the art of living for en-
ynent. Less dreamy than the Hawaiian
nobility OF classic WAIKIKI. the people do
not exhibit the spirit of hurry and worry
common in otner towns. While nop for
getful or the advantages Of business in
a commercial age the people are devoting
considerable of their leisure to culture,
and Santa Cruz may yet become an i'm
portant educational center as we'll as the
Newport of the Pacific Coast. The public
library is one of the important institu-
tions of the city. There are more than
10000 volumes on the shelves and the
patrons exhibit great judgment and rare
good taste in the quality of literature they
peruse.
Climatoiogists who have studied the
conditions Of this county pronounce the
climate one of the best in the world. Few
diseases have any hold here. Less ener-
waiting than ports farther south Santa Cruz
is still temperate climate, especially in
vigorating in the summer months AS the
population and general importance of the
State grow Santa Cruz is sure to become
fashionable watering place as we'll as
commercial center by far of more import
ance than it mas yet attained.
---a
SAN DTEftn