Norwich bulletin., 1910-05-28
INTERESTING LETTER
 REGARDING REDLANDS
from Miss Grace A. Gadbois, Formerly
 of This Vicinity.


 of This Vicinity.
 Grace A Gadbois, formerly of this vicinity. writes the following interest ing letter to The Bulletin from Red lands, Cal, where she is public stenographer and accountant:
 Redlands-so named for its red soil with its England and it's Smiley parks and drives, with it's broad streets and pavements, with its miles of electric circuit to say nothing of all the rest that goes to make an attractive city, is not yet twenty-one years old. It lies in the southwest corner of the county of San Bernardino almost sur rounded by mountains, two of which towards the east are snow1capped throughout the year. Five years ago, if you inquired of the librarian of the A. K Smiley public library for a his tory of Redlands she could have an swered you; If you want a history of Redlands, you will have to write it." Today, however, we boast of a number of reliable books, full of interest and so closely connected with colonial his tory that it would seem as if the Unit ed States history of our childhood be- gan i'll the middle of the book.
 The climate of Redlands is heaithful and the natives are usually strong, liv- ing beyond the average age limit. We have about 300 days of almost perfect sunshine. The nights are always con- fortable for sleeping so that even in
 
 comparatively slight. Let me quote from a tourists letter:
 ''Fhe weather in this country could not be improved upon and if you were to hear me talk you would conclude that had become a California boomer. as this is certainly one of the most beautiful places that I have ever wis ited- Yesterday Mrs. C. and I took a long drive over the foothills, attain ing a height of about 1,506 feet above Redlands. and as far as the eye could carry with the aid of a field glass we could see nothing but beautiful orange groves, and I can assure you that the panorama was a picture you would be pleased to look upon"
 As for water for domestic and irri- gation purposes, we must look to the everlasting hills some thirty miles dis tant and a fe wreserVoirs scattered among the hills nearer home On very rare occasions a slight earthquake shock may be felt, and for a few sec Onds you must realize that you cannot control the earth. During thunder storms, however, which are practically unknown to us here you must admit also that you do not control the heav- ems. so that it is merely a matter of choice as to which is preferable.
 Broom and Hose Clean.
 Redlands is superb as a winter home, if for no other reason than that it is broom and hose clean. There are no saloons and no residents who patronize them, nor are there any sporty dens. It is not surprising, then, that it is the home of not less than twenty mil liOnaires-An ideal gentIeman's home. Here such man has a choice of loca- tion, whether it be in the mountains, the valley or on the plain, and his choice of location determines the crop which to him will prove most valuable. He can live by himself or in the more thickly settled section, and can drive at leisure to the beach, the mountains or wherever he will, in his automobile for autos are as common as horses, and oxen on exhibition only are seen.
 The ranch, as we call it, is a term applied to all kinds of cultivated prop erty, regardless of the size. and a good first class orange ranch Cor grove), in full bearing, costs from $1,500 to $2500 an acre, with ample water. Such grove of ten acres produces between S3,0oo and s5,o0o year, The cost of running the grove in absolutely first class shape, provided one does not do any of the work himself but hires it done, would be about $100 an acre per annu11l. Another way is to buy a piece Of rough property, clear it of sage brush, plant your own orange trees and wait for them to grow.
 Grower and Packers Statement.
 Having obtained permission, let me quote from the letter of a distinguish ed orange grower and packer as he writes to a confidential friend:
 T have thought of you many times this winter. and wished you could have been with me to enjoy the many pleasant days that I have spent in southern California. I know it would have done you a great deal of good, and rested you mentally as well.
 Our ranch lies in one of the most locations in southern Cal ifornia. It is 2.000 feet elevation, and as you stand in front of the backing ha distance of 40 miles right down over the surrounding towns which are scat tered along the foothills; and you can also see the great Wash of the Santa Ana river. Then as the day draws to a close and the sun is setting in the west we have a magnificent view of the-I believe-hnest sunsets that have ever seen in any country.
 T generally get up about 6.30 go to the ranch about an hour later. tIriv- ing my own car. My wife always goes with me We stay all day at the ranch, and as we sit at the table at ing the east and north we look direct y into the mountains two of which peaks are snow capped, towering only } few thousand feet from our table. 1 One is nearly 12,o00 feet high, and the | other, I believe, 10000 feet Then add 10 that. being surrounded entirely with 1 green orange groves laden with the golden fruit and you have a picture ] pr Which IT you could get but a passing 1 glance it would remain in your hat l forever.
 "Aprf1 with us is the month of flow aFs, some varieties of which are the 1 Marie Henrietta and Marchmeil climb 1 ing roses. Then there is the Gold of | Ophir, Lady Bankssia, Papa Gontier ] Rainbow, Hermosa, Kassia Augusta l Hybicua, Jacminot and the Bride Rose, also the Bougainvilla and Majtitia and California poppies, all of l which bloom in great abundance A great variety of other roses and flow CTS. also vines and climbers, run riot everywhere.
 'The citrus fruit packing houses turing the packing season furnish em- |