The San Francisco call., 1910-02-05
OWNS WATER
INSUR|NG WEALTH
Stanislaus County Offers Splen=
did Soil, Fine Climate and
Prosperity to Settlers
By HARRY H. WHITMORE,
Representative of StanisIaus County

By HARRY H. WHITMORE,
Representative of StanjsIaus County
Stanislaus county has a, message to
deliver to San Francisco and that is
that the county is in line for great
things. This message is also for the
world at large, which is popuiatins
Stanislaus with Industrious home seek
ers, who find in irrigation the key 70
success when coupled with splendid
soil. fine climate and all advantages
that could be asked for, each of which
is found inside the county boundaries.
AS a matter of general interest the
facts concerning the recent advance
ment of Stanislaus are worthy of con-
sideration.
In eight years, or since the establish
ment of irrigation in Stanislaus as a
leading factor of growth, the popula-
tion has increased from 5000 to 24,ooV.
ANALYSIS OF COUNTY SOIL
The soil that has invited the enter
prise of frrigators is described by the
United States department of agriculture
in a report of a soil survey or the
Modesto Turlock area in Stanislaus
county. From this the following is
quoted:
The esto-Turlock soil survey
covers an important area on the
east side Of the San Joaquin valley,
extending from the valley Well into
the foothills. In the irrigated por-
tion sof the area great variety OF
crops is being introduced, and, in
many cases. very encouraging re-
suits have been obtained. The soils
as a whole are light. the largest
AREA consisting of sandy loans ana
sands. A Very large part of the
area consists of deep we'll drained,
easily cultivated soils. responsive
to irrigation and cultivation, espe
cially suited to vineyards and or
chardS. and under favorable condi-
tions producing almost phenomenal
Yields Of all crops suited TO the
climate.
Since the introduction of irriga-
tion the price OF land has advanced
sharply, but the best land is still
obtaina bic at low price. and. con-
sidering the quality of soil, low
crops and advantages of close
markets. probably no area of equal
size in the entire west offers great
er attractions TO the prospective
settler than does this.
LATEST WORD ON THE soil
The report of the soil survey was is
sued in 1909 and is. consequently, up to
date and embraces the latest official
words spoken on a subject of state
concern.
Much has been said about the irriga-
tion system in the Modesto TurIock
district. Considering that great move
ments are on foot to induce immigra-
tion to California, certain leading facts
may be used as a summary for general
and dennite information. In the ben
efits TO arise from publicity for Stanis-
laus county, San Francisco will share,
and SO, indeed, will the entire state of
California
Stanislaus blazed a way TO prosper
ity- that many sections might profitably
follow. 1t furnished an object lesson
of which it will naturally and legiti-
mately reap the first fruits, but the eX-
ample amounts to demonstration TO
those intelligent home seekers who
work to identify themselves with Cal
ifornia and who will do so when the
lineup of requisite facts is made for
their enlightenment.
RECORDS OF RECENT YEARS
In six years more than 100000 acres
have been planted to irrigated crops.
In four years the acreage planted TO
alfalfa has advanced the county from
the seventh to the first place in 'Califor-
MIA in the list of dairy counties.
( The population of the district has
doubled in two years
Hundreds of acres of orchards and
vineyards were in bearing last year.
a great cannery has been established
to handle the fruits.
This is the region of great possibili-
ties because everything that can be
grown in an orchard. field or vineyard
is produced in Stanislaus county with
ease and with perfection.
WATER AND FERTILE LANDS
In addition to- the Modesto -Turlock
irrigation district Stanislaus county is
concerned in other schemes to put
water on it's fertile lands. Informa-
tion concerning these is interesting.
An irrigation system has just been
organized by Oakdale men, which is
similar in plan to that of the Modesto
Turlock enterprise.
On the west side, the Patterson es-
tate of $4,000 acres is to be subdivided
and put on the market and $250.00O
will be expended on a pumping plant
and improvements. The land will be
irrigated. The town of Patterson has
been laid out with streets. Here will
be new and populous place to add to
the Importance of Stanislaus county.
At Oakdale a large growth may be
logically expected. There is fine
body of citrus fruit land in that vicin-
ity.
CHANCES FOR HAME, SEEKERS
Stanislaus county is taking such
means as are deemed to be advisable
to make its merits known to San Fran
cisco directly. The county represent
ative is daily at the rooms of the
California development Board in the
ferry building at the foot of Market
street The county desires to have
all San Franciscans gain an intimate
knowledge of its resources, being sat.
isfied that it can make a showing that
! will be beneficial and striking in ex.
tent and excellence of it's productions
I would like to quote briefly from q
publication issued by the chamber OF
| commerce of Stanislaus county as {
| matter of information as follows:
1T is not depreciation of any of oul
! sister counties to say that Stanislaus
| today offers more and greater advan-
! tages to the home seeker and the in
vestor than are to be found ELSEWHERE
| in the state. The irrigation systems
| the water owned by the land. presents
| an ideal condition.; and notwithstanding
the gratifying success of the thousand:
| of settlers who have been attracted tt
! date. land prices remain reasona bic
tI,n,,ob annually ipcrea sing and favor.