USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 21
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INDIAN CORN
Los Angeles bay ever elnimed Indian com to be her crown. ing agricultural glory. It has been raised here from timey "whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary, ' nnd when everything else failed, corn beeume the stutl' of life for innn and beast. In the bottom-lands along the rivers, in every por- tion of the county where the land hes low and wet -too cold for southern fruits, too damp for small grains-there corn flour- ishes. To publish a tithe of the stories tokl by corn growersof the marvelous productiveness of their favorite crop, would cause all lovers of truth to trar this page out and burn it. To avoid such dire fate, this writer refrains, ant mentions only that the crop has been uniformly a success; that the returns for 1875 were six hundred and thirty-nine thousand bushels; for 1879, twenty thousand acres and eight hundred thousand bushels (forty bushels to the acre), and this year ( 1880, the land under corn is estimated at sixty thousand acres. One story (a tall one) to wind up with: It is asserted that corn hay been grown on the Los Angeles river, the stalks of which measured seventeen fort in height, and negen inches in cir- cumference!
OATS.
When Americans first visited this county, the foot-hills are said to have been completely covered with wild oats, equal in every respect to the cultivated varieties, except that the grain was much lighter. The influx of sheep destroyed the wild crop, and but little has been raised by the farmers, barley pay-
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
ing much better. Like barley, a volunteer crop follows in the second, and frequently the third year. The lossor's report for 1879 shows one hundredand fifty acres only under oats, yielding three thousand bushels-twenty bushels to the acre. This year (1880) there have probably been from five hundred to one thousand acres planted.
RYE.
Rye has been but little grown, though almost every year a small gereage has been planted therewith. The returns for 1875 give eleven thousand seven hundred and sixty bushels, while those of 1879 give only two hundred and twenty-five neres, yielding three thousand seven hundred and fifty bushels thirty bushels to the arre.
BUCKWHEAT
Buck wheat has been thoroughly triel in Los Angeles county and has done well. In 1875 one thousand three hundred and fifty luishuls were grown. In 1879 seventy-five acres yielded one thousand one hundred and twenty-five bushels -fifteen bushels to the arre.
PEAS.
l'eas are but very little grown. In 1879 one hundred and twenty acres yielded three thousand bushels-twenty-five bushels to the acre.
BEANS,
Beans have always been a staple crop in the county, and do well. In 1866 the crop was five thousand bushels; in 1875 twenty-four thousand four hundred bushels; in 1879, one thou- sand two hundred and fifty aeres yiehled twenty-five thousand bushels-twenty bushels to the nere. It is elaimed that this can be raised advantageously as a second crop.
CASTOR BEANS.
During the past ten years, castor beans have been consider- ably grown. They pay well as a crop, but are said to ruin the land, and for this reason many farmers will not grow them. In 1879 three hundred and fifty aeres yielded five hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds-one thousand five hundred pounds to the acre.
PEANUTS,
A small erop of peanuts is grown each year. In 1879 sev- enty-five acres yieldled seventy-five thousand pounds-one thou- sand pounds to the acre.
POTATOES,
When first raised in the county, Irish potatoes proved quite unsalable, owing to their poor quality. Better seed, and a more careful selection of soil, have had the natural result; and as good potatoes are grown here now as in other parts of the
State. The crop of 1866 was twenty-five thousandl bushels In 1879 two thousand acres yiebled six thousand tons-three tons to the aere.
SWEET POTATOES.
Sweet potatoes have been quite extensively grown for some years, aml frequently reach an extraordinary size. In 1556 we find one reported weighing twenty-one and one-half pounds. In 1979 two Implred and seventy five acres yielded one thon. sand six hundred and fifty tous six tons to the atre.
ONIONS.
In 1875 the returus showed twenty-eight thousand three hundred and fifty bushels. In 1879, one hundred and fifty- five acres produced thirty-one thousand bushels.
FLAX.
The growing of Max is now an important industry in Los Angeles county, and every year becoming more so. In 1879, four hundred acres were planted. It is estimated that one thousand five hundred acres are under flax this year :1880 . The straw is worth ten dollars per ton, and runs about a ton to the acre. Could this be manufactured into grain sacks on the ground, it is estimated that three hundred thousand dollars per annum outlay might be saved to the county.
HOPS.
About the year 1860, and for several years thereafter, hops were a staple erop in the county. In 1867, one grower (Mr. David Lewis, of El Monte) harvested thirteen thousand pounds from five acres. In 1873 the same grower had increased his yard to twelve acres, and during the ten years then past had realized from seven to seventy cents per poundl; such is the extraordinary fluctuation. The returns of 1879 show seventy- five acres under hops, yieldliug one hundred and twenty thou- sand pounds -- one thousand six hundred pounds to the acre.
ALFALFA.
This is, in many respects, the most remarkable vegetable product of California. We quote the following description from the Herald pamphlet of 1876 :-
It is a rich grass, grown from the seed, and of marvelously rapid growth. In summer it lengtheus an inch a day, and iu winter half that, equal to twenty-five feet in a year. It progresses winter aud summer, and does not require replantiug for years. Cutting is done monthly or quarterly, each acre yielding twelve to eighteen tons of rich hay per annum. In its green state it is a most nutritive diet for all kinds of stock, keeping them in good condition withont any other tood. As an aid in hog-raising there is nothing equal to it. Fifteen hogs will keep in prime condition upon each acre. and need hut little corn to fatten them for market. It is unsurpassed for dairy purposes, and well adapted for sheep and poultry. Its culture is heing extended rapidly as its many uses become known. It is a succulent plant, and requires an abundance of water.
The California Culturist of November, 1858, claims that the roots of this plant penetrate the soil to a depth of twenty feet;
and a prominent resident of the county assured the writer that he has himself seen them fifteen feet in length. Almost every farmer grows more or less of this gras, and it is fed to almost every description of stock.
SUGAR BEETS.
The growth of this vegetable is comparatively a new enter- prise, but important results are soon expected therefrom. lu 1879, one hundred and fifty acres yichled three thousand tons -twenty tons to the acre. This year ( 1880) about one thou- sand acres in all have been planted; seven hundred acres being put in by Mr. R. Nadean, who, in company with a Mr. Gennert is erecting a sugar mill near Florence, and they intend testing this industry thoroughly.
Some very liberal stories are told respeeting the size attained by beets in Los Angeles county; one will suffice. Mr. II. T. Hazard, a leading lawyer of Los Angeles, informs the writer tlint at an agricultural fair held in that city a few years ago, a sugar beet was exhibited of quite as large dimensions as the body of his horse, an animal weighing about one thousand four lundired pounds.
TOBACCO.
As early as 1859, we find tobacco promising to become a staple production of the county, and Trom that time to the present a certain amount has been raised annually. In 1879, one hundred and twenty- five acres produced one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds -one thousand pounds to the acre.
COTTON.
The first mention we find of cotton grown in the county, is in the report of the committee on native cotton, to the State Agricultural Society, 1858 :-
But we have to refer to another sample, grown in Los Angeles county, equal, if not superior, to the best Mississippi or Louisiana cotton, and of course superior to all others, and of but one grade below Sea Island cotton. This sample is not of the Sea Island seed, but the gray Petty Gulf kind, proving conclusively the perfect adaptation of our climate and soil for the production of the very finest staple cotton yet found anywhere of its kind.
During the ten years ensuing, cotton was planted quite extensively throughout the county, and though reports from time to time were very favorable, it did not pay, and gradually died out.
SUGAR-CANE.
Sugar-cane was raised in Los Angeles county as early as 1854, and from that time down with considerable success.
The Minnesota Amber Sorghum cane is being quite exten- sively grown in different portions of the county. It is used principally as feed for cattle and hogs, but also yields a very fair quality of molasses.
BROOM-CORN, ETC., ETC.
Considerable broom-corn is cultivated, and two broom
NAUD'S WAREHOUSE.
WOOL MARKET.
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E. NAUD'S WAREHOUSE, LOS ANGELES, CAL.
LITH ỚT CL SMITH 335 CLAY 3. 3 F.
PUBLISHED UT THOMPSON & WEST
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
factories are kept rauning in Los Angeles, both of which pro- cure their supplies in the county.
There are many other small crops grown, such as Red Pep- per, Canary Seel, etc., etc. Rice has been tested, but without financial resnit.
FOREST CULTURE. EUCALYPTI'S.
From a lecture delivered before the California Academy of Seience, in the autumn of 1872, by Robert E. Stearns, Er. we glenn the following facts concerning this now well-known tren:
Of the Eucalyptl, E. globulun In very common in California, and is very ennily cultivated; it is the Blue Guns of Victoria and Tasmania: in of extremely rapid growth, and uttain a height of four hundred feet. furnishing a first-class wood. Ship-builders get kerly of this timber one hundred and twenty feet long, also use it extensively in planking and in other parts of the ship, and consider it generally superior to Amerieun Rock Elin. A test of' strength has been inde between Blue (mm, English Oak, and Indian Teak, with the following result: The Bine Gum carried fourteen pounds more weight than the oak, and Hevenicon pounds and four ounces more than Teak, upon the square inch.
Its rapidity of growth in wonderful. A specimen six and one-half feet high at planting gnined nearly nine feet in eleven months. In Spain it is called the " Fever tree," from its efficacy in intermittent Tovera, In Germany forty - three puntiruts out of fifty were cured by a tincture of the lonven. Eleven of these hunt previously been treated with quinine without effect. Nine ont of the eleven were enred by the timeture of Encalyptus. It is also used extensively in cases of chronic catarrh and dyspepsia; in un excellent antiseptic application for wounds, and tuns the akins of dead nnimal, giving the fragrance of Russian lenther. The tree grows best in marshy localities, which it Apredily dries, extending its roots in every direction, sometimes to a distance of thirty and forty foot from the trunk.
Up to 1873 this tree had been grown in Los Angeles county only for ornament, About this time several prominent gentle- men of Los Angeles conceived the iden of growing the tree oa a large scale, The result was the incorporation of the " Forest Grove Association " in November, 1874. They purchased a truet of land wear Florence, and in 1875 set out one hundred thousnud young trees. So great has been the success of this enterprise that stock in the company sells at nearly fifty per eeni above par, and other parties profiting by the example, several more groves have been planted out.
CHAPTER XXL.
FRUITS AND WINES. (17)1-1880.)
Los Angeles as n Fruit County-Controal Fruit Harvest-Oranges-Lemons -Limes-Olives Walnuts- Apples -Peaches-Pears-Ationds - Other Fruits Grapes and Wines-General History Theroof.
SHOULD Pomoun and Bacchus ever see tit to forget ohl loves, and form a matrimonial allinnce, theu start West to settle down and grow up with the country, they would in all probability | Benjamin Hays (Historical Sketch of Los Angeles County,,
decide on Los Angeles valley as the place of their future rei- Jener Here, the one might regale herself on alment every kind of fruit that grows, while the other waubl timala vari- ety of vintage unsurpassed even in his favorite Ile of Naxos.
From Mr Il D. Barrows correspondence of the San Fran- cisco Bulletin, July 24. 1957, we extract the following pavage. illustrative of the almost continual fruit harvest in this valley.
The various times of the year that our different classes of fruits get ripe are as follows: The main orange crop is ripe from January tu May, although the trees have a few eatable orange- on them the year round. The orange tree is perpetually grero. Lemon sour and sweeti, lime and citron trece, very much resemtde the orange in the time and manner of yielding their fruit. The citron for citron temuny bas tual fruit und blossoms the year round. Apricots, carly pear- and peaches, nectarines, strawberries and currants, and the first crop of figs, ripen in June and last about a month. Appdes, a great many varieties of pears, including the prickly pear or " brown," and early native peaches, ripen in July and August. when, especially in the latter month, they appear in abundance. Late in July, the great fruit of our southern country, the grape, begins to turn purple, from which time it is abundant till the end of the year, and fut unfrequently till into Jau- uary, and when dried, till grapes rome round again. In the month of September, which is the most favorable time in the year for visitors to find abundance of fruit in its best condition, we have of grapes and peaches na end, the second and principal crop of figs, English walnuts, pomegranates, ahnonds, together with later kinds of the various fruits already named. September is the great fruit month here, for then we have, in their prime, lig- and grapes, universally acknowledged to be our best fruits, The " vintage" commences here in September and continues till Christmas.
ORANGES,
These " Goblen apples of the Hesperiles," are grown in many parts of California, ou a small scale, but in Los Angeles county ouly are they produced in sullicient number to be of commer- cial importance.
The tree is an evergreen, having long, dark green leaves. Whea full-grown, it stands twenty or twenty-five feet in height, and being very bushy, will shade a circular space on the ground, of from fifteen to twenty feet in diameter. In general outlin it is a model of symmetry, and when covered with white bluse soins or yellow fruit, or-as is not nufrequently the case- with both at once, it is perhaps, the most beautiful of fruit trees. It begins bearing, usually, about the eighth year from the seed, and, to ensure success, requires warin, loose soil, an abundance of water, and unremitting attention. Thus, it will readily be seen, that even in favored Los Angeles, the orange belt is restricted by natural causes to a comparatively limited area.
The first oranges grown in this county, were planted by the Francisean Fathers at San Gabriel Mission-probably abont the year 1820 or 1825. In 1834, when Don Luis Vigues estab- lished the pioneer orange orchard in Los Angeles City, bringing his young trees from San Gabriel, the orchard at the latter place was only just in bearing. In 18+1, William Wolfskill planted the second orange orchard in Los Angeles, and, according to
the three were the only des ing orehands in the county up to Isit These pioneer orchards were but small in 1856, the number of hearing trees in the county was lost little over one hundred, and were surrounded by adobe walls to prevent the incursion of the poquitos bands of roving cattle. This carly the orange was cultivated for house use only, and not for
The next orchard of importance, in the order of time, was that planted by the late Hon Benjamin D Wilson at San Gabriel about 1542 This had formerly been a part of the mission orchard, and several fruitful trees yet remained on the place. These are said to be still in vigorous health, bearing their burden of half a century with all the grace and lenuty of youth, linked to the digany and strength of maturity
The total viel of the county for ISiti, was estimated al and hundred thousand oranges, and William Wolfskill had for spr. eral years averaged a net income of our hundred dollars per annum from each of las tres. But in USA7 5 9 enme the seale inspet, injuring the trees and destroying the crop. In vain did the anxious pomologists consult local scientists and even lay the matter before the " Societe Imperiale et Centrale d' Horticul- tureste Former," the tiny invert delie them all, and continued it's ravages, causing an almost total failure of crop until 1802. when a fahr yiebl was renlized.
In that year, littell "Resources of California, estimated the total number of orange trers planted out in the Stale at two thousand five hundred, "more than two-thinly bring in the orchard of William Wolfskill al Los Angeles." He classe them as to age four hundred trees from ten In fifty years old, the remainder from six to eight years,
In 1867 the number of touring trees in Los Angeles county alone was eight thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, and the yiebl was estimated by the Noirs at two thousand oranges per trer fon the average, or a total of seventeen million five hundred and ninety-eight thousand oranges, valund al threecents each, amounting to five hundred and twenty seven thousand nine hundred and forty dollars (This was probably an overestimate.) In 1870 the number of bearing trees in the county was reported at thirty-four thousand. In 1872 there was an abun- cant erop, some trees carrying two thousand oranges, but the average in the best orchards bring eight hundred to the tree. In 1875 the first shipment of Los Angeles oranges to Lomlou, England, was made by J. De Bath Shorb, Esq,, of San Gabriel. The eight boxes sent as a test arrivel in perfect safety, uut one being decayed in transit. This gentleman, two years later, cleared over seven thousand dollars from a seven-acre orchard; but this was an exceptional experience, a'l cannot, he thinks. be repeated. Ile believes, however, that two hundred and fifty to five hundred dollars per acre, yearly, may be attained by careful culture. In 1879 the Salt Lake trade was opened up
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
by his enterprise. Fifteen car-loads were there disposed of at remunerative prices, and this promises in the future to prove an excellent market.
The number of bearing orange trees at present 1880, in the county is reported by the Assessor at one hundred and ninety-Lwo thonsand.
LEMONS.
In some respects the lemon tree resembles the orange, but is lesy beautiful. The tree is smaller, it's branches loss regular, the Toliage of a lighter green, and less Inxnriant in growth. It is raised from a shoot or sucker under the same conditions as the orange, and begins bearing at from ton to twelve years. The Sicily lemon is the variety most grown in Los Angeles county, and is said to be even more profitable than the orange. From sixty to eighty trees are planted to the acre. The Assessor's report For 1880 shows thirty thousand two hundred and fifty bearing trees in the county.
1.1MES.
The lime, a near relation to the lemon, is from one-fourth to one-third the size of the former, has a thinner rind and more juice, this being somewhat sharper in quality. The bushes are four to ten feet high, and begin bearing at ten or twelve years From one hundred to two hundred bushes are grown to the acre. There are two crops, the first ripening in January, and the second in June, Immense quantities of this fruit are allowed to rot on the ground annually for want of a market; and though valuable for the manufacture of citric acid, white brandy, and a vast variety of other merchantable commodities, no one yet has the enterprise to endeavor to utilize this waste.
01.1VES.
The olive was introduced by the carly Franciscans. It is not strictly a semi-tropical fruit, yet thrives best in a dry climate. It constitutes the chief dependence of the poorer classes in parts of Italy and Spain, and is used in a variety of ways, forming an ingredient in almost every dish. By the natives of Califor- nia it is used extensively in cookery, but by Americans only as a pickle, or for oil.
As grown here it is a pretty evergreen, having small, bluish- green leaves, and somewhat resembles the willow in general appearance. It ranges in height from fifteen to forty feet, with an average of perhaps twenty feet. It is grown from cuttings or shoots, begins bearing at ten years, and is supposed to live For many centuries.
There are three olive orchards in Los Angeles county, which were planted by the missionaries, These are situated respect- ively at the three missions of San Gabriel. San Fernando and San Juan Capistrano. The trees vary from seventy to one hundred years of age, and are still bearing well. The Asses-
sor's report for 1550 shows three thousand bearing trees in the county.
WALNUTS.
There are two varieties of walnuts grown in Los Angeles county, viz., the English and native walnut. Prior to 1847 there were but three bearing trees in the county, but in that year some two hundred were planted out, principally of the English variety. In 1856 the mumber of trees in the county had increased to six hundred and forty-eight; in 1876 there were six thousand trees; and the number at this time (1880) will probably not fall far short of ten thousand trees.
The walnut tree is grown from the seed, and commences bearing at right years. It attains a large size, am in general shape somewhat resembles an apple-tree, having, however, a much smoother bark, and more trim appearance. The average yiell, in a good season, is said to be one hundred pounds to the tree, the quantity gradually increasing with the age of the tree.
APPLES.
While the enthusiastic asseverations of orchardists -- that they can grow as good apples in Los Angeles county as either Maine or Michigan can produce-hal better be taken cum grano sttlis; yet without any doubt, on the low moist lands of Gospel Swamp, and kindred localities, a very excellent apple can be, and is, raised by the farmers. The returns for 1880 show twenty thousand five hundred bearing apple trees in the county.
PEACHES.
Fine peaches are now grown in many parts of the county, the Assessor's report for 1880 showing twenty-four thousand four hundred and seventy-five bearing trees, The fruit is of excellent quality, and frequently reaches an extraordinary size.
PEARS.
Pears were grown in the early mission orchards, and have always done well. The fruit attains a very large size, fre- quently weighing three pounds. The Assessor's report for 1880 shows thirteen thousand three hundred and forty-five bearing trees now in the county.
ALMONDS.
Almonds were first planted by William Wolfskill in 1855, the seeds being brought from the Mediterranean. In 1876 the county had one thousand one hundred trees, and the number has probably not increased. The tree, which is very handsome, tl.rives and flowers as well as could be wished, but as a financial investment may be classed as an utter failure. Of the many orchards inspected by this writer in all portions of the county, not one has paid, or done much more than supply a sinall quantity of fruit for home use. Many growers have
decided to cut the trees down for fire-wood, while a few still cling to the hope that a riper age will bring more fruit. This expectation would appear to be but poorly founded, however, as several orchards are from eight to twelve years of age.
GENERAL.
In addition to the foregoing, almost every variety of semi- tropical and northern fruits are grown, to a greater or less extent, within the county. Among these may be mentioned pomegranates, figs, apricots, persimmons, quince, citron, roľ- fee, bananas, strawberries, currants, raspberries, cherries, etc. Some of these are so far but experiments, while others have become staple products.
GRAPES AND WINES.
" Come, come; good wine is a good familiar creature-if it be well used."
Thus said lago to Cassio, and thus doubtless thought the Spanish Friars, as they planted out their first vineyard, " Vina Madre," at San Gabriel. According to Hugo Reid, this " Mother Vineyard" contained three thousand vines, the slips for which came from Lower California. Mr. H. D. Barrows, of Los Angeles, who has given much attention to the subject, believes that what is known as the " Mission Vine" is identical with the " Alicante " vine of Spain, and must originally have come from that country. Alexander Forbes says ( Forbes' California, pages 172, 173) :-
An indigenous variety of vine was found by the early settlers (the missionaries), yielding grapes of a considerable size, hut not ripening to sweetness. The Fathers introduced the true wine-grape (vitis vine- ferw), which had long flourished in the Old California, Indeed, in many parts of California, the native vine is so plentiful, and its produce so abundant, that hrandy is now (1835) made from them in considera- ble quantity.
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