Los Angeles herald., 1905-04-28
BUSINESS MEN HOME FROM A
TRIP OF INSPECTION
REGION IS GARDEN SPOT
Prominent Merchants Of Los Angeles
Say That Borderland Country
Is Bonanza for
Farmers


under the auspices of the chamber of
commerce, with Secretary Frank Wig
gins as the active host, arrived home
yesterday afternoon.
1T is a wonderful section" said Sec
retary Virgins. 1T is the country
for the farmer where land can now be
had as low as $50 an acre, with all
water rights, the cheapest land left
in California for all purposes.
"1f nothing happens the Imperial
valley will become densely populated
within a few years. The land is rich
enough down there to support hundreds
of thousands of people. The possibili-
ties of the land, which is remarkable
for its richness are unlimited. Every
thing grown anywhere can be produced
in the valley and at a good profit.
Plenty of Water
"There is water in great abundance.
A power plant to cost $3.50, 900 is to be
built for the distribution of the water
which flows from the Colorado river
The water is so plentiful that some of
| the farmers after irrigating their land
cut holes in the sides of the runways
and let the water overflow into the
roads. causing some of the thorough
fares to become in poor condition, but
generally the water is we'll husbanded
and utilized to the best advantage.
"Our party visited Calexico, Holt
VILE, Imperial and Brawley, besides
going out into the country to see the
farms and orchards. The journey was
made by conservative business men
like myself, to acquaint themselves
with actual conditions in the valley,
and like myself all were amazed at the
development of the country and the
many evidences of prosperity We eX-
pected to find patches of cultivated
land, but instead there are miles and
miles of as we'll kept farms as one
would find in old Illinois or Ohio.
Big Grain Crop
I'VE were reliably Informed that
there are ready for shipment no less
than 100000 sacks of barley and wheat
produced in the valley.
"Stock raising is carried on exten.
sively and profitably. 1t Is estimated
that there are $4,000 cattle and 10000
hogs in the sections we traversed,
omitting those that had been fattened
and shipped.
"Great crops of barley and wheat are
produced and alfalfa grows like weeds.
1t is the stock feed of the valley and
many crops are grown from one
sowing.
I'VE We're royalty entertained at all
points visited, but we had little time
for pleasure. 1t was purely business
trip. and all Of the business men return
possibilities"
Fred l.. Allies visited the valley four
years ago and wrote up the country
for one of the Los Angeles papers. II
was greatly surprised" he said, "to
note the advancement that had been
mode since I was down there in 1901.
The valley Is blossomng as the rose.
and there are big fortunes in the val
leys for the farmers or any man who
will devote himself to agricultural or
stock raising pursuits. The crops are
marketed largely in the skin of the
hogs, the horses and the cattle, and
man with even a few acres will be-
come Independently rich in a few
years.
81 saw land that four years ago was
condemned as poor now growing
some of the best crops in the valley.
All of the land is good"
Favorable Expression
The following resolution regarding
the valley was made:
1.-The business men engaged in the
special excursion to the Imperial val
valley on April 26, 1905. desire to ex-
press to the Southern Pacific company
and to the citizens of CaleXlco, Holt
willie, Imperial and Brawley their high
appreciation OF the courtesies extended
to them in this opportunity to inspect
the magnificent new farming section
just developing in the Imperial valley.
"There we found, in what was prac-
tically a barren desert theree years
ago, more than one hundred thousand
acres of fertile soil in a high state of
CulIlNdllOI, producing lOI illdlhel lnlS |
year three hundred thousand sacks of
grain, and many carloads of horses, |
cattle and swine.
1--WE found there thrifty towns, pro-
gressive business firms, and abundance
of water flowing in canals and bitches, |
and the promise of future develop |
ment which will be great factor in |
the upbuilding of the business interests |
of Los Angeles and Southern Cali
fornia.
(Signed) william d. Stephens.
Carr & Stephens; A. l.. Stetson, Stetson-
Preston company; II. II. Yerington, r. |
L. Craig & Co.; C. II. Plummer, An
derson G. Chanslor company; L. M. |
Washburn. Baker & Hamilton George |
Arnott, Arnott & Co.; Frank Simpson,
Simpson & Hack Fruit company; A.
c. Harper Harper & Reynolds COM
pany; l.. d. Sale, Western Wholesale
Drug company; Roland Bishop, Bishop