Year: 1878

have been fully repaired, and th
road is now safer and better thai
at any previous time since its con
struction. This noticeable fact
and the everywhere visible car,
exercised by conductors and en-
gineers, gives the traveller sense
of positive security, as the trail
glides smoothly round the twist
and curves of the remarkable de.
scent Of The mountains, and one
repeats involuntarily-


BLESS me! this il pleasant


Riding on the rail!'


There has been little change in
the towns along the route during
the last twelve months, and there
Is yet but small percentage OF
the country visible from the road
under cultivation until we have
made half the distance to San
Francisco. But a noticeable fea-
ture is the fat, sleek condition Of
the sheep and cattle we pass, where
last year the air was offensive
from the fostering carcasses of the
thousands of dead animals.


An object worthy of observation,
and from which great good may be
expected, is the artesian we'll be.
ing sunk by the railroad company
two and half miles south OF the
Upton Station, in Tulare county.
1t is now down 275 feet, and flow
of one inch has been obtained.
Work will be continued until big
water is struck or its absence fully
proven. Success there will lead to
the rapid settlement of the Sec
tion, as the climate and soil are
favorable for the growth of every
thing. The railroad company has
planted some fifteen acres of euca-
lyptus trees at the point where the
artesan water is struck, and when
sufficient water is obtained will
have there standing advertise
ment of the capabilities of the
country.


Recently constructed irrigating
bitches near Kings river and at
Fresno have made some showing
Of development of the fine re-
sources of the country. Farther
north, ut MADEIRA, is fiume of so
miles in length, doing the double
duty Of bringing a fine quality of
lumber from the mountains and a
large volume of water for irrigat.
ing the thirsty plains. From this
point new road is being cou-
for the


FAMOUS YOSEMITE VALLEY,
And when completed the travel to
that wonderful resort will he via
MADEIRA instead of by Merced, as
now. The stage distance will be
reduced some fifteen miles.


OF CROPS,


OF which you desired me to he OBJ
servant, very much could be said,
but a flying visit by rail is not
favorable for getting statistics, so
you must rely upon ganeralities-
the average of statements made by
companions and Others
with whom | was brought in con.
tact.


KERN COUNTY
Is reveling In rank alfalfa fields
which last year proved bonanza
to its people, but this year, owing
to the prevalence of other feed in
are not considered
profitable Investment. A heavy
barley crop has been raised, and
fifty cents per hundred is given as
the market value of it. Corn il
doing well.


IN TULARE COUNTY
Little growing crop is visible from
the road, but L was advised that
prosperity has generally attended
the farmers about Visalia and the
older settled portions of the county.


FRESNO COUNTY
Has not a big showing from the
road, and I could not learn of any
yields of grain that l could make
note of.


SrANISLAUS COUNTY,
My farthest northern point at
has fair crop, principally
wheat. The rust has done some
damage here, but not enough to
cause any general depression of
feeling. The lowest average we
heard was twelve bushels per acre,
and a large area sown. Away from
the road and along the San Joaquin
river-in the vicinities of Grayson
and HIPS ferry-the crops are re-
ported good and the land generally
under cultivation.


THE GREAT WHEAT CENTRE
Is Merced. We could not hear OF
any rust, and the average yield
per acre is set down at twenty-five
bushels as the lowest. Many 60
higher than this even. The wheat
is generally good. TO tell you how
much the country will produce
would please me, but desiring to
preserve whatever of good repu'
tation may have in your commu.
nifty, l must let you have the ben
eft of the calculation of another,
rather than hazard my reputation.
Mr.. Hoffman, a gentleman well ac-
quaiuted with the country, Is cred.
tied with the statement that the
wheat shipment of Merced for this
year of grace, will load


THIRTY CARS PER DAY FOR FIVE


MONTHS.


Now these thirty cars would
carry 300 tons per day, and the 13(
working days in the five months
would give us q sum to do as fol-