The herald., 1897-04-18
TIE SAN OABKIEL VALLEY

tions of this lovely valley and impele
one to the ascent of the towering peaks
that so alluringly invite to their dizzy
heights. the way is a romantic one, up
through great gorges cleft in the noun
tain sides and over picturesque trails
Leading through wooded canyons whose
rugged sleeps are clothed with giant trees
while dashing out over the steep decliv-
tiles. leaping like child at play, in
Vulnerable streams spring downward
toward the valleys level, spraying the
messy banks and freshening the ferns
and maidenhair ever clustering about
the fallen tree trunks in rich profusion
AS one gains the higher attitudes of this
mother of mountains" the artistic taste
may be feasted on every variety of scene
the senses are capable of enjoying Then,
too, may the glories of San Gabriel VAL
ley, spreading out in a vast panorama
of orange lemon and olive groves; mead
ows, vineyards and grain fields; lovely
farm homes, villages and flower beds,
be seen with advantage, forming such
bewildering maze of perfect pictures
that the heart of every beholder is in
spired with praise for the God of Ma
ture who planted here this gorgeous val
ley and with admiration for the dwell
erS therein for the added beauty, utility
and charm given it by their handiwork.
Southern California Is noted the world
over for its rich soils, but in no part of
the world there is soil of such extreme
fertility as that of the San Gabriel val
ley embracing the sections around Azu-
sa, Covina, Glendora and San Dimas.
Coming, as much of 1t no doubt did, from
the ancient seabed which once lay to the
north of the valley, possibly to the Sierra
Nevada mountains, and gathering the
decayed granite whick was exposed by
great upheavals, 1t was deposited by
comparatively recent floods in unlimited
quantities. This soil contains all the
elements favorable to plant structure
and will, without fertilizing, produce
any species Of plant growth found in the
torrid or temperate zones. Sand and
finely disintegrated granite predomi-
nate, but in few cases pure adobe and
red clay are found, the former near
Azuea and the latter east of Covina and
near San Dimas. The soil of the valley is
remarkable for its exceedingly friable
nature. and yet so closely knit in struc-
ture that it holds moisture exceptionally
well. Another feature of the soil is the
warmth Of its situation, which permits
the assimilation of its elements into
foliage and fruits at almost any season
of the year. This gives these valley lands
the power to utilize their elements, es-
pecially the nitrates, and mature the
orange perfectly in December and jan
uary; strawberries in early spring;
wheat in midsummer. and grapes, ap-
pies and pears in the autumn, giving
constant succession of growing crops.
and leaving no off season within the
year during which the soil must go into
a state of unproductiveness 1t may tax
the creduilty of those not familiar with
all parts Of Southern California when
1t is asserted as a fact that the loan in
many parts Of the San Gabriel valley Is
Of almost unfathomable depth. But
such is. the case. Wells have been sunk
to depth Of one hundred feet without
the slightest change In the surface STRAIT
um, ana numerous instances are related
where cisteyns and Easements are dug
to . depth 6fteuto twenty<eet without