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diff --git a/12022-h/12022-h.htm b/12022-h/12022-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c2fea4f --- /dev/null +++ b/12022-h/12022-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3597 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> + +<html> +<head> + <meta name="generator" content= + "HTML Tidy for Windows (vers 1st February 2004), see www.w3.org"> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=UTF-8"> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Start In Life, by C.F. Dowsett.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: left; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em;} + BODY{margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%;} + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* block indent */ + A {text-decoration: none;} + + .center + { + text-align: center; + } + + .center table + { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + text-align: left; + } + + + // --> + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12022 ***</div> + + <h1>A START IN LIFE.</h1> + + <h3>A Journey Across America.</h3> + + <h3>FRUIT FARMING IN CALIFORNIA.</h3> + + <p> </p> + + <h5>BY</h5> + + <p> </p> + + <h2>C.F. DOWSETT,</h2> + + <h5><i>Author of "Striking Events in Irish History," etc., + etc</i>.</h5> + + <p> </p> + <hr style="width: 45%;"> + + <h4>LONDON:<br> + DOWSETT & Co., 3, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS.</h4> + <hr style="width: 45%;"> + + <h5>PRICE ONE SHILLING.</h5> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2>A START IN LIFE.</h2> + <hr style="width: 45%;"> + + <p><font size="+1"><i>Plans, Maps, Views, Books, Samples of + Fruits, Soils, etc., etc., of Land at Merced, in California, may + be seen at the Offices of</i></font></p> + + <h4><i>MESSRS. DOWSETT & CO.,<br> + 3, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London,</i></h4> + + <p><font size="+1"><i>where also further particulars and + introductions to the owners at Merced may be + obtained.</i></font></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + <a name="CONTENTS"></a> + + <h3>CONTENTS.</h3> + + <p><a href="#A_Start_in_Life"><b>A Suggestion to Persons Seeking + a Start in Life</b></a><br> + <a href="#SPECIAL_ADVANTAGES"><b>Special Advantages</b></a><br> + <a href="#COMPARISON_AND_WARNING"><b>Comparison and + Warning</b></a><br> + <b>Across America—</b><br> + <a href="#LONDON_TO_CHICAGO"><span style= + "margin-left: 2em;"><b>London to Chicago</b></span></a><br> + <a href="#CHICAGO_TO_SAN_FRANCISCO"><span style= + "margin-left: 2em;"><b>Chicago to San + Francisco</b></span></a><br> + <a href="#SAN_FRANCISCO_TO_NEW_ORLEANS"><span style= + "margin-left: 2em;"><b>San Francisco to New + Orleans</b></span></a><br> + <a href="#NEW_ORLEANS_TO_LONDON"><span style= + "margin-left: 2em;"><b>New Orleans to London</b></span></a><br> + <a href="#California"><b>Information About California</b></a><br> + <a href="#CURRENCY"><b>Currency</b></a><br> + <a href="#MERCED"><b>Merced</b></a><br> + <a href="#PRICE_OF_THE_LAND"><b>Price of Land</b></a><br> + <a href="#AMERICAN_SURVEYS"><b>American Surveys</b></a><br> + <a href="#SPECIAL_KNOWLEDGE_OF_FRUIT_CULTURE"><b>Special + Instruction Provided</b></a><br> + <a href="#ESTIMATES"><b>Various Estimates as to what could be + done with Various Amounts of Capital</b></a><br> + <a href="#PRICE_TREES"><b>Price of Fruit Trees</b></a><br> + <a href="#WHEN_FRUIT_TREES_PAY"><b>When Fruit Trees + Pay</b></a><br> + <a href="#POSITION_OF_A_SETTLER"><b>Position of a + Settler</b></a><br> + <a href="#COST_OF_BOARD_AND_LODGING"><b>Cost of Board and + Lodging</b></a><br> + <a href="#RAISIN_CULTURE"><b>Raisin Culture</b></a><br> + <a href="#IRRIGATION"><b>Irrigation</b></a><br> + <a href="#OLIVE_CULTURE"><b>Olive Culture</b></a><br> + <a href="#SPECIAL_OPENINGS"><b>Special Openings</b></a><br> + <a href="#POTATO_GROWING"><b>Potato Growing</b></a><br> + <a href="#COST_GOODS"><b>Cost of Provisions, etc., at + Merced</b></a><br> + <a href="#COST_JOURNEY"><b>Cost of Journey by Sea and + Land</b></a><br> + <a href="#ANALYSIS"><b>Analysis of Merced Soils</b></a><br> + <a href="#POSITION"><b>Position of the Vendors</b></a></p><br> + + <div class="center"> + <img src="./images/map.gif" alt="map" height="423" width="650" title= + "Map of North America with Atlantic and Pacific Oceans"> + </div> + + <p class="center"><i>The dotted lines across America, indicate my + journey, the Northern one going, the Southern one returning. + C.F.D.</i></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><b>A Start in Life.</b></h2><br> + + <p>I have entitled this little book "A Start in Life," because it + conveys information which would enable any person possessing a + small capital, with some industry, patience, and steady habits, + to make a start in life which, humanly speaking, could not fail + of success.</p> + + <p>The old countries of Europe contain a superabundant + population; every branch of professional and commercial life is + so overcrowded, that there exists a competition so keen, as to + reduce the incomes of the largest, and, in many cases, to prevent + the smallest workers, in whatever sphere, from getting a + remunerative return for the activities of brain, muscle, and + money.</p> + + <p>To inform the public, therefore, how a young man may make a + first start in life, or an older man a fresh start in life, is + offering an advantage which, I doubt not, will be appreciated by + many who read these pages.</p> + + <p>I am prepared to hear the objection that, in the proposals set + forth herein, I am seeking a personal advantage as Agent for the + sale of the lands at Merced, in California, that I refer to, and + I meet it with this statement: Let the objector consider his + prospects of success in the place where he now is, and if they + are reasonably good, let him stay there; if they are not, then + let him intelligently consider what his capabilities + are—whether he has any special or technical knowledge, and, + if so, in what place he can expect the best return for a full use + of his talents. If any opening appears probable in any of the old + countries, he will, perhaps, first consider that; but if he can + see no opening at home, then let him consider, by careful + investigation, the more distant fields; let him learn all he can + about all the British Colonies, and other countries, and + especially Canada and the United States, as being nearest to + Great Britain. Having learnt something generally of these distant + places, then, having regard to his own abilities and capital, and + his personal desires as to distance from the Old Country, + climate, &c., he should make his choice as to which of the + places he has read of seems most likely to give him a fair + prospect of success; and then, having come to this decision, he + should learn all he can about that particular place.</p> + + <p>I admit that I shall receive a personal benefit by persons + settling at Merced, in California; but—I say this with + great confidence—if, after an intelligent consideration of + other places, any person, desiring a start in life, comes to the + conclusion that Fruit culture in California is an occupation, and + a country, that would suit him, then let him consider all the + places in California where openings for this occupation are + presented, and let him choose which of them he considers most + suitable; and, at the risk of appearing invidious, I would add + that he should not believe all he reads, but should make his + examination and inquiries for himself, on the spot. I do not ask + him blindly to believe what is set forth in these pages, but if + he thinks that California is a suitable place of settlement for + him, then I do say, with great emphasis, that he should not + settle upon anything in California until he has been to Merced, + and proved for himself that the statements are credible. After he + has been to Merced, I have little doubt that he will be convinced + that that place presents an opening which would be worth his + decision.</p> + + <p>If he proceed to California by the Southern Pacific Railway, + he could break his journey at the various other places of Fruit + culture settlement, and inspect them, reaching Merced last, as + the nearest to the great centre of San Francisco.</p> + + <p>A careful comparison of the various fields of Fruit culture + enterprise will, I am assured, show him that Merced possesses + peculiar advantages.</p> + + <p>It is well known that the great drawback of California is want + of water; and intending settlers must not be satisfied by the + statements of agents, or owners, that their lands have water + advantages, but they must satisfy themselves that they can have + water by irrigation (not by the expensive, laborious process of + pumping it up from uncertain springs), and in such a quantity as + to be permanent.</p> + + <p>At some places lands now supplied by irrigation will fall + short presently, when the owners carry the water on to thousands + of adjoining acres; therefore, a full and permanent supply of + water is an essential.</p><br> + <a name="SPECIAL_ADVANTAGES"></a> + + <h3>THE SPECIAL ADVANTAGES</h3> + + <p>my clients offer settlers at Merced are:—</p> + + <p>1. A permanent supply of Water, for a perpetual water right + accompanies every lot of land sold.</p> + + <p>2. Contiguity to a Railway Station on the main line, and to a + Town, with commercial, professional, educational, social and + religious advantages.</p> + + <p>3. Instruction in Fruit culture gratis by a specialist, who is + paid by my clients to instruct settlers on their lands.</p> + + <p>4. A rich Soil, of which, on another page, an analysis is + given.</p> + + <p>5. A ready Market for produce. Buyers come round the country + and purchase the crops as they are on the trees, taking upon + themselves the picking and packing. The Continent of North + America is a sufficient market in itself for all time especially + considering that its population increases nearly a million and a + half a year.</p> + + <p>6. The prices range from 75 dollars to 150 dollars per acre. + At some other places in California, land is offered at a less + price, but I can sell some land at even 10 dollars per acre; yet + that at 100 dollars per acre is far cheaper, having regard to its + advantages. Our land at 150 dollars per acre will favourably + compare with lands fetching much higher prices.</p> + + <p>7. Free Conveyances will be given, with a perfectly clear and + satisfactory title.</p> + + <p>8. Two-thirds of the purchase-money may remain on + mortgage.</p> + + <p>9. Merced is only 14 days from London.</p> + + <p>10. A liberal competence may be secured by a reasonably + industrious settler.</p> + + <p>11. Merced is a very healthy locality, and is nearer to San + Francisco than other Fruit growing centres.</p> + + <p>12. My clients, the owners, are well-known gentlemen of wealth + and position in California, and not irresponsible land + speculators, members of a syndicate with an unknown + personality.</p><br> + <a name="COMPARISON_AND_WARNING"></a> + + <h3>COMPARISON AND WARNING.</h3> + + <p>I have already said that applicants should verify for + themselves the statements made by persons who, like myself, would + be personally benefited by their settling upon the lands offered + for sale. Letters sent to this country, and advertised by agents + as a guarantee of advantages, written by persons soon after + arrival in California, and who have not compared the place of + their location with other places, can scarcely be a sufficient + recommendation. Some parts of California advertised in this + country for sale have not a permanent water supply; are too hot; + are swept by winds; are at a considerable distance from a railway + station; have a poor, sandy soil, some even mixed with alkali; + and some are so situated as to be "notoriously unhealthy," and + produce chills, fevers, and general malaria, and, in one case, I + have heard of an embarrassed title: therefore, I say that + intending settlers should remember there is a California and a + California—that it is not all gold which glitters, and that + they should, personally and intelligently, investigate for + themselves, on the spot, the statements made by those who, at a + distance, offer the lands for sale.</p><br> + + <h3>CAPITAL REQUIRED.</h3> + + <p>It is recommended that settlers intending to establish Fruit + farms, should have a capital of from £600 upwards; but + those who have a smaller capital—say, £300, or even + £100—may, in other ways, find some opening for + employing it, if accompanied with intelligent, industrious, + persevering work.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + <a name="A_Start_in_Life"></a> + + <h2><b>A Start in Life.</b></h2><br> + + <p>To ensure the stability of a building the foundation ought to + be substantial, so in like manner a good start in life goes a + great way towards ensuring a successful career. By success I do + not mean the making of a rapid fortune by leaps and bounds of + prosperity, but I do mean an ultimate prosperity, acquired + through patient, persevering, and intelligent labour. To make a + large fortune quickly it is necessary to have command of the + requisite knowledge of the business in hand, the requisite + capital, untiring energy, and a trait of genius. Beyond these it + would be necessary to have the mind absorbed in the one thing, + and therefore, supposing one possessed the requisites, would it + be worth while to sacrifice all else to the mere accumulation of + money? To live for mere money making is a grovelling existence, + and utterly unworthy the aim of any man possessing the finer + instincts of human nature and the intelligence with which it is + endowed.</p> + + <p>No, I am not pretending to offer the means of making a rapid + fortune—such accidents fall to the lot of but few out of + the millions of our species—but I do claim to be able to + offer to men willing to live a steady industrious life, the + opportunity of acquiring, on easy terms, a small freehold estate, + into which they can put the golden seed of their own mental and + physical effort with the certainty of reaping a golden harvest + proportionate to their area, their ability, and their industry; + for when once a Fruit farm is planted it increases in value every + year.</p> + + <p>To own a freehold estate of 20, 40, or 100 acres, with a + comfortable house and buildings, and the land well stocked with + choice Fruits, with a ready market, presents a prospect, by the + use of a small capital, with the addition of muscle and brains, + of future competence. When such a property is fully matured, + labour can be hired, and one's own personal energies may be + diverted, if preferred, into other channels, or continued in the + same with largely accumulating benefits.</p> + + <p>I ask my readers requiring for themselves, or others in whom + they are interested, a start in life, to read these pages + carefully, for I do not know any calling, in the old or new + world, where a small capitalist fond of country life could find + an occupation more congenial than the one I offer at Merced, in + California, and which is described herein.</p> + + <p>Residence near to a young town, which will probably increase + rapidly in value, and which now possesses extensive commercial, + locomotive, social and religious advantages, a climate than which + the surface of this globe scarcely presents one more desirable, a + fortnight's journey from London, and a soil pregnant with + inherent virtue, are amongst the considerations of importance + which will determine thoughtful investors to settle at + Merced.</p> + + <p>I am prepared to show to applicants samples of the soils and + fruits, and also views, books, maps, &c., and to answer + questions, if they will call personally upon me, at my + offices—</p> + + <h4>3, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London,</h4> + + <p>so that they may have every assistance in enabling them to + come to a decision as to whether the start in life I offer them + at Merced, in California, is one suitable in respect of their + inclination, capital, abilities, and energy.</p><br> + + <h3>WITHIN A FORTNIGHT OF LONDON.</h3> + + <p>To prove the convenient access of this land, called "British + Colony" from London, I may say that on November 22nd, 1890, I + left Liverpool in the Cunard steamer "Etruria," which reached New + York on the following Saturday evening, just too late for the + Custom-house officers to examine the luggage, so that we could + not go on shore till the next morning. I stayed over the Sunday + (26 hours) in New York, leaving on Monday by the first overland + train, and after calling at innumerable stations, and staying 14 + hours at Chicago and Council Bluffs, to "make connections" + (<i>i.e.</i>, catch other trains), and staying 52 hours at San + Francisco, I arrived at Merced at 10.23 on Monday night, December + 8th, <i>i.e.</i>, say 16 days 6 hours after leaving Liverpool. + Had I have left Liverpool by the Wednesday instead of the + Saturday steamer, I should not have needed to have stayed over + Sunday in New York, and, of course, there would be no necessity + for a settler to stay at San Francisco (I had to meet my clients + there); therefore, deducting these two stoppages of 78 hours, or + 3-1/4 days, it would give 13 days to Merced in the <i>winter</i> + season. In fine weather the journey could be made in less time; + some steamers, in the summer and autumn months, have crossed from + Liverpool to New York in about six days, so that the journey + <i>could</i> be made, in favourable circumstances, in say 12 to + 13 days, but we may safely put it at 14 days.</p> + + <p>I went by the Northern Prairies and Rocky Mountains, and + returned by the longer route of Southern California, the Desert + of Arizona, the Plains of Texas, through the sugar and cotton + districts of the Southern States, and thence, viâ New + Orleans and Washington, back to New York.</p> + + <p>Thus, after remaining eight days at Merced, where I was fully + engaged each day in inspecting the lands for sale and the country + around for many miles, and after allowing for stoppages on the + return journey over Sundays, and waiting three days at New York + for the Cunard steamer "Servia," I reached Liverpool on January + 4th, and was back again in my office on Monday, January 5th, + being six weeks, one day and 22 hours from the time I rose from + my chair in my office to the time I was sitting in it again.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><b>Across America.</b></h2><a name="LONDON_TO_CHICAGO"></a> + + <h3>LONDON TO CHICAGO.</h3><br> + + <p>Travelling in generations past was an important event in one's + life, but now a journey across an ocean and a continent is a very + commonplace affair. Books of travel used to be read with avidity, + but now that so many persons travel, and the wires keep us in + touch with all the world every day, the history of a journey is a + small event, and one which to those not specially interested + would scarcely perhaps be read; nevertheless, as some of my + readers may have to go over some of the ground I have recently + traversed, I have no doubt that a reference to my journey to + California and back would be of interest to them, and therefore I + will give up some time and space to the subject.</p> + + <p>This little record of my journey may perhaps be better + received if I state that I am not a novice in travel, and that + before I had turned twenty-one years of age I had been to + Australia (calling <i>en route</i> at Pernambuco in South + America), and that while in Australia I visited Melbourne, + Sydney, Geelong, King George's Sound, besides various inland + towns and gold fields, including Bendigo, Castlemaine, + Tarrangower, Fryer's Creek, Forest Creek, Campbell's Creek, + Tarradale, Maryborough, etc., and various other places, and sheep + and cattle stations. From Australia I went to Aden (the inland + town) and up the Red Sea to Suez, returning to Australia, and + thence to England. Since I commenced business in England, in + 1859, I went in 1862 to St. Thomas' in the West Indies, thence to + Aspinwall, across the Isthmus to Panama, thence to Acapulco in + Mexico, on to San Francisco in California, and thence to + Vancouver Island, returning by the same route as far as + Aspinwall, whence I went to New York. In 1865 I went on business + to Russia. Arriving at the ancient city of Pskov, I proceeded + across country to the estate of my client, the Count + Bogouschefsky, at one time private Secretary to the Emperor + Nicholas (grandfather of the present Czar). Some of these travels + were attended with a good deal of adventure; but my recent + journey from England to California and back, 13,774 miles, in six + weeks (including all stoppages), was all work, for my time was + occupied continuously in reading up the country, learning from + old settlers, and making notes of what I saw, some of which I + have found room for in the following pages.</p> + + <p>On November 22nd, 1890, I was at work in my office in + Lincoln's Inn Fields, whence a cab depositing me at Euston, the + 10.10 express train soon ran me down to Liverpool (201 miles), + whence a steam "tender" took me from the landing-stage to the + Cunard steamship "Etruria," some two miles off, where I was soon + comfortably located in my "state room" (No. 42).</p> + + <p>It was nearly 5 o'clock before we got away, and the next day + found us at Queenstown Harbour, where we lost considerable time + in waiting for the mail. At length the mail, which was a heavy + one, was safely on board, and off we went, head on to the + Atlantic. During that night of the 23rd we experienced a heavy + gale; big seas broke over the forecastle, and flooded the decks + below, through the ventilators. The A.B.'s declined venturing on + the forecastle to unship these great ventilators, and so the + engines had to be slowed down, and the ship stopped; the + ventilators were then unshipped, and we proceeded. The night was + a bad one, and the next morning we had not got through it, and as + a consequence the decks were like lagoons; but presently we had + run through it, or it had run away from us, or had expended its + energy, and we were in comparatively smooth waters, and had a + comfortable run to New York. Nothing of particular interest + occurred during the passage. I sought and found the old American + settlers amongst the passengers, and obtained from them all the + information I could of the country, and especially the State to + which I was going. I read "General" Booth's "Darkest England," + and wrote a review of it, which duly appeared in the "Land + Roll."</p> + + <p>The "Etruria" is a fine ship. She has a commodious saloon, + music and reading room, plenty of deck space for exercise, + comfortable cabins, bath rooms, etc.</p> + + <p>On the 29th we made Sandy Hook Lighthouse, which is about 20 + miles from New York Dock, but we got in too late for the + Custom-house officers to look at our baggage, so we lay all night + in the harbour, and next morning commenced the tedious process of + creeping up, yard by yard, into our berth at the dock. The run + from Liverpool was thus:—Liverpool to Queenstown, on the + 22nd and 23rd, 240 miles; 24th, at noon, 330 miles; 25th, 454; + 26th, 462; 27th, 475; 28th, 480; 29th, 471; distance to Sandy + Hook Lighthouse, 130 miles; so that the run totals up to 3,042, + and with the 20 miles added, 3,062 miles.</p> + + <p>I had been recommended by a passenger to go to the Hotel St. + Stephen, 46 to 52, East Eleventh Street, New York, whence I drove + in a cab perhaps a mile and a half, for which the cabman wanted 2 + dollars (equal to 8s. 4d.); he got 1-1/2, which was half-a-dollar + too much. Passengers should drive to their hotel, and then ask + the proper fare before paying. New York has many large + hotels—this is comparatively a small one. All the waiters + are coloured men, and this seems pretty general throughout + America.</p> + + <p>I stayed over the 30th (Sunday) in New York, by which I + secured a quiet day and an opportunity to attend Divine service. + In my bedroom was a coil of stout Manilla rope screwed into the + floor, near a window, so that an escape might be secured in the + event of fire. The towels provided are a kind of compromise + between a duster and a pocket handkerchief—rather + disappointing to one accustomed to his "tub." New York is great + in tram-cars, worked by horses, mules, and electricity, also + elevated railways—that is, railways running down the + streets on huge tressels or scaffolding—so that the + vehicles go underneath them, and the passengers in the train look + straight into the first-floor windows of the houses on the other + side. There is an immense development of electricity all over + America, and in tram-cars, railway-cars, hotels, houses, + everything and everywhere, is the electric light prominent. Many + of the streets are unevenly paved. Blacking boots is a profession + in America—in many hotels a special charge is made for it, + or else the visitors are left to their own devices + thereon—and boot-blacks have shops and nooks fitted with + high, huge easy chairs, elevated like thrones, where their + clients can comfortably repose during the operation of + polish.</p> + + <p>The next morning, December 1st, I was up early, and made + enquiries at the various offices representing the railway lines + to Chicago, with the result that I took a ticket by the + Pennsylvania route, and left New York at 10 o'clock a.m. The + train service between New York and Chicago is one of the best, if + not <i>the</i> best, in America. The cars are elegantly fitted; + they are about the length of the Pullman cars we have in England. + The best cars are those fitted with sleeping accommodation, and + travellers having tickets for a "sleeper" have the privilege of + using the sleeping car during the day. The sleeping cars are + divided into squares capable of seating four persons, but the + space is accorded to two only, as only two beds or berths can be + made up in the space; the lower berth (which is always the + favourite) is formed of the two double seats (the space for four + seats), filled up in the centre by special fittings and + mattresses, hidden during the day inside the seats; the upper + berth is pulled down from the sloping roof of the car, and in the + receptacle between the slope and the square are contained the + bedding and the fittings. A curtain falls down over both the + upper and lower berths, and, so far as one can, the dressing has + to be done with the curtain hanging round one as one stands + within it; and if on both sides of the car passengers happen to + stand behind their respective curtains at the same time, they + would touch one another and so block the passage-way. The + dressing accommodation is so inconvenient that only partial + undressing is adopted. The outside of the slope is polished + mahogany, and in the daytime bears no indication whatever of what + it really is, but looks like a handsome sloping polished mahogany + roof. These cars are luxuriously fitted. Another car on the train + is a handsome dining saloon, with kitchen attached, where you can + order as good a dinner as you could obtain at an hotel. The cars + are also fitted liberally with lavatories and water-closets, + separate ones for ladies and for gentlemen. On this train is also + a bath-room and a barber's shop. There are also one or two small + private rooms, which can be hired separately. This train has also + a recent addition, being what is called a drawing-room or + observation car; this is the last on the train, and the end is + fitted with glass, so that in riding along passengers in this car + enjoy an uninterrupted view of the country they are leaving + behind. On this special train a ladies' maid is provided for the + convenience of ladies, and a stenographer, with his type-writing + machine, occupies a seat in the vestibule of the drawing-room car + to take down any urgent letters which business men may desire to + post <i>en route</i>. The observation car is supplied with a + library for the use of passengers, and is fitted with plate-glass + windows and easy chairs. It has a platform where one can breathe + the fresh air outside if desired. There is also a smoking-room + car. On this special train the Stock Exchange reports of the New + York and Philadelphia Exchanges are received and posted on the + bulletin boards three times a day, and the weather reports are + also posted. The whole of the train is thoroughly well heated by + steam pipes, and lighted by electricity. The person in charge of + a "sleeper" car is called the "porter;" he occupies a position, + not like a porter on an English railway, but analagous to a + steward on board ship.</p> + + <p>On leaving New York I noticed that the suburbs contained many + very small wooden houses, and the country had the appearance of + many Colonial scenes I have witnessed—the land looked like + reclaimed prairie, which it probably is; and after passing many + homesteads and villages we ran into Philadelphia at 12.20. + Philadelphia is the largest city, as to area, in the United + States. It is situate on the west bank of the Delaware River. It + is 22 miles long, and from 5 to 8 broad, comprising an area of + 1,294 square miles. It has over 900 miles of paved streets. + Philadelphia was founded by the celebrated William Penn, who went + from England to America in 1682 A.D., and purchased the site of + this great city from the Indians. William Penn's character was + remarkable for his high sense of honour, and if the same + principle had obtained throughout the history of the United + States with the Indians, we should never have heard of any + "Indian Difficulty." Penn presented the city with a charter in + 1701. The city, built upon lands honestly and liberally bought + from the Indians, prospered greatly, and its population continued + to increase until it now reaches something approaching 900,000. + Its chief source of wealth is from its manufactures, which + embrace locomotives, and all kinds of ironware, ships, carpets, + woollen and cotton goods, shoes, umbrellas, and books. It has + more buildings than any other city in that country, and, in point + of commerce, ranks fourth among the cities of the United States. + I noticed that the suburbs of Philadelphia contained many + handsome stone and brick residences. I felt much interested in + the connection with William Penn, because he is one of the + ancestors of the Penn-Gaskells of England, who for many years + have been valuable and much-respected clients of mine, and in + numerous transactions I have noticed in them that beautiful trait + of strict honour which gave William Penn a world-wide character, + and has descended from him to them.</p> + + <p>Passing by many farm homesteads, villages, and towns, all + having a prosperous kind of appearance, and described as "one of + the richest agricultural districts in America," we ran into + Harrisburg, which is the capital of Pennsylvania, and situate on + the east bank of the Susquehanna River. About five miles above + Harrisburg we crossed the Susquehanna River on a bridge 3,670 + feet long, from the centre of which I am told there is a fine + view, but I lost it, as a snowstorm was raging while I was + crossing.</p> + + <p>We stopped at Altoona, a large city lying at the foot of the + Alleghanies, and in ascending the Alleghanies fine scenery and + great engineering feats are discernible. From this we ran on to + Pittsburg, which claims to be the best lighted city in America, + the streets being brilliantly illuminated by arc and incandescent + electric lights. Nine bridges cross the Allegheny, and five the + Monongahela rivers. Pittsburg has been called the "iron city," + and "smoky city"; it has immense glass, steel and iron + manufactures, and in these three interests alone employs over + 50,000 persons.</p> + + <p>Then we proceed till, presently, we catch sight of Lake + Michigan, and know that Chicago is not far off. We skirt the + shore of this busy water, with its wharves, etc. On arrival + (December 2nd) we drive through the city from the Pennsylvania to + the North-Western terminus.</p> + + <p>Chicago is 912 miles from New York: it is the greatest city in + Illinois, and during the past 50 years has grown from a small + Indian trading station into a metropolis. Chicago extends some 20 + miles along the shores of Lake Michigan, and goes back from the + lake to a depth of about four miles, thus embracing about 80 + square miles; beyond these confines of the city proper the + suburbs extend to some 6 to 10 miles in every direction. It will + be remembered that in 1871 Chicago had a great fire, which burned + an area of 3-1/8 square miles, destroyed 17,450 buildings, made + 98,500 persons homeless, and killed outright about 200 more. The + loss of property was estimated at 190,000,000 dollars, of which + only 30,000,000 dollars were recovered from insurances, and this + bankrupted some of the insurance companies. In 1874 another fire + consumed 5,000,000 dollars' worth of property. Chicago is the + great central depôt for grain, lumber and live stock. In + 1888 there were packed at Chicago 4,500,000 hogs, and about + 1,600,000 cattle. Chicago has also extensive iron, steel, wheel, + car, flour, furniture, boot and shoe and tannery manufactures. In + driving through I noticed one long street, to the right and left + of the street I was traversing, thickly occupied with tradesmen's + carts, backed on the kerb in the usual fashion, being loaded from + the stores (or shops): there must have been a few hundred of + them; I never saw so many in one street at one time anywhere in + any part of the world. Chicago was cased in frozen snow, and thus + was not very attractive; but I noticed many very fine buildings, + and was much struck with the cosmopolitan character of the + inhabitants. During the interval of waiting for the train on the + North-Western to start I was able to see a little of the place, + and found that some persons I spoke to could not speak English. + They came apparently from all parts of the continent of + Europe.</p><a name="CHICAGO_TO_SAN_FRANCISCO"></a> + + <h3>CHICAGO TO SAN FRANCISCO.</h3> + + <p>The train was due at Chicago (December 2nd) at 9.45 a.m., + being exactly a 23 hours and 45 minutes' run from New York. + Having crossed Chicago from one terminus to another, I found that + three trains left Chicago by which I could travel to San + Francisco—two were slow trains, and one a fast train; but, + by whichever train I went, it would make no difference as to the + time I left Omaha, and consequently no difference to the time I + should arrive at San Francisco, so I went on by one of the slow + trains, as I wanted to see Council Bluffs. This train was + similarly fitted to the other, except that it had no drawing-room + car, nor stenographer, etc., nor were the platforms connecting + the carriages enclosed; so that, in passing to the dining car, or + any other car, the sudden change from a hot car to a shower of + snow was not pleasant. The distance from Chicago to Omaha is 492 + miles, and the country between the two places formed a part of + the great prairie region, which, 50 years ago, had no other + inhabitant than the Indian and the trapper, but now is a + succession of homesteads, villages, and towns, bearing evidence + of prosperity. At Creston, and many other stations, I noticed + that there is no protection whatever from the railway; the line + is unfenced, and the train runs through the town as openly as a + coach would; there is generally a rough board put up here and + there with the words, crudely painted on them, "Look out for the + cars!" We were due at Council Bluffs the next morning (December + 3rd) at 7.23, but we arrived some half-hour late. Council Bluffs + Station is four miles from Omaha Station, but the towns adjoin. + The former has a population of over 35,000, and the latter of + over 110,000. They are divided by the great Missouri River, which + is crossed by two bridges, one being 2,750 feet long, and the + other 2,920 feet long. Having had breakfast at the station, I + went up to the town by the "motor," that is, the electrical + tram-car. The motor cars, like the railway cars, are heated. I + noticed a large number of detached wooden cottages, "standing in + their own grounds," of about one-eighth of an acre, and I learned + that these are owned by labourers. Mr. Day, an agent there, told + me that the cottage would cost 500 dollars, and the land 400 + dollars, <i>i.e.,</i> £100 for the house, and £80 for + the land. An eighth of an acre for £80 would be £640 + per acre, and this quite out in the suburbs; and I was told that + good business blocks in the town itself would fetch £32,000 + (not dollars, but pounds) per acre. In the large cities, such as + New York, Chicago, etc., prices in the principal streets would + compare with prices in the City of London. Returning to the + station, I joined the express train, and crossing the Missouri + River to Omaha, we proceeded west. The river was frozen at its + sides, and presented no attractions worth notice. On we go + through hundreds of fields of maize, always called "corn" in + America; other grain crops, such as wheat, etc., are called by + their own names, but the crop known only as "corn" in America is + maize. The rich clusters of corn are gathered, and the stalks, + something in appearance between a wheat stalk and a sugar cane, + are left standing for the cattle to pick over. Forty years ago + <i>this</i> part was uninhabited by white men, and was the home + of countless buffaloes; now these animals are extirpated, and + everywhere we see nothing, for mile upon mile, but corn, corn, + corn. One of my fellow travellers was Mr. H.C. Jacobs, of + Chicago, whose father-in-law was one of the pioneers, and who + gave me much information. The next day (December 4th), we + traverse the great rolling prairies of Nebraska, and see many + herds of horses and cattle, and here and there ranch homes and + cowboys.</p> + + <p>Having run through Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska, we commence + the State of Wyoming as we pull up at the City of Cheyenne, + where, in the far distance, we see, with its peaks well clothed + in snow, the grand range of the Rocky Mountains. Soon after + leaving Cheyenne, we commence the ascent of the + Rockies—not, of course, the actual summit range itself, but + the foot hills and high lands stretching away from, and forming + part of it—and as we climb the ascent terminating at + Sherman, where we have gained an elevation of 8,247 feet, we pass + through very wild, grand scenery. At this altitude we look down + upon floating clouds, and see in the distance Long's Peak, 14,000 + feet high, towering above them. All along, at intervals, are + portable fences, placed to catch the snow as it drifts, to + prevent it blocking the line; and also what are called snow + sheds, which are rough timber tunnels built up to protect the + rails from the great drifts arising out of heavy snowstorms. At + the highest point is a pyramid, commemorating a certain Mr. Oakes + Ames, which looked 20 feet high and very near the line; it is + however, 75 feet high and half-a-mile off. The air is so rarefied + that distances are most deceiving.</p> + + <p>As our descent proceeds, we catch sight, in the distance, of a + herd of wild elk, and where these rolling prairies have better + herbage, we see herds of horses with ranch buildings here and + there. We pass the ranch of William Cody, who, by virtue of his + being a Senator of the State of Nebraska, is called Honourable, + but who was known in London, a short time ago, at Mr. Whitley's + "Wild West" show as "Buffalo Bill." As we pass Fort Laraime, one + of the forts erected by the United States Government as a + protection against the Indians, I was told some stories of Cody's + exploits against the Indians. In former days, emigrants + traversing these great prairies to found a home in this Wild + West, were often harassed by Indians, and the soldiers at the + fort had to protect them. Buffalo Bill has been in many a + skirmish, and, if rumour is true, many redskins have succumbed to + him; the Government took counsel with him in all Indian + difficulties in that part of the country, and the day before I + passed his ranch he had been sent for by the authorities that + they might confer with him as to the outbreak which then existed, + and which cost "Sitting Bull" his life. We passed a house cut + clean in two by the wind, great herds of horses and cattle, + beautiful specimens of the bald and other eagles and vultures, + some deer, and a very fine grey wolf about the size of a + Newfoundland dog.</p> + + <p>The distant mountain scenery at times is very grand, and + everywhere snow-capped. The air is very pure and keen. I much + enjoyed the society of two fellow travellers over this part of my + journey, Mr. Lee, of General Lee's family, of Virginia, and Mr. + Hurley, Solicitor to the Directors of the line we were + traversing. We passed the "Divide of the Continent" at an + altitude of 7,100 feet, which is the dividing line of the running + of water; that running east empties into the North Platte River, + thence into the Missouri, thence into the Gulf of Mexico and the + Atlantic Ocean; that running west empties into the Green River, + thence into the Colorado, thence into the Pacific Ocean.</p> + + <p>In the early morning of December 5th we ran into Ogden, which + is near Salt Lake, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, which + are snow-capped, and have some very fine peaks. Salt Lake is 126 + by 45 miles, and on it is situate the great City of the Mormons. + On the more fertile parts of the prairies I gathered, at Humboldt + Wells, some of the sage grass which used to be the food of the + buffaloes when they existed; at other places I gathered samples + of herbage on less favoured soils. As we proceed, we see an + encampment of Indians with red paint on their faces, which was + put on to show sympathy with, and, if necessary, take part with + other tribes of Indians, then commencing a "war" with the United + States soldiers. This district was not far, as distances go in + America from the scene of action. Presently we commence our run + through the great barren alkali plains, emerging from which we + get into a more fertile country, and, at Cedar Pass, notice the + great ranch of Messrs. Sparks and Tinnin, who are reputed to have + 100,000 head of cattle. Mr. Byrne, of Elko, Nevada, also the + owner of a large ranch, was on board the cars, and gave me some + useful information. He said that cattle raising is very + profitable, as they double in number every four years, + <i>i.e.</i>, a profit of 25 per cent.; thus, if a man start with + a 1,000 head of stock cattle, he will have 4,000 head in four + years.</p> + + <p>If a thousand head of stock cattle were purchased off a ranch, + they would be sold just as they run, without any selection + whatever—steers, heifers, cows, calves, bulls, yearlings, + both sexes and all ages, but calves which still suck their + mothers are not counted, and go for nothing. Many head of cattle + perish in the winter, when the land is covered with snow, as on + many large ranches no food is given them. I urged that it would + pay to have stock-yards and give food during the snow time, and + Mr. Byrne said that he always did so himself, and that the great + ranch men were having their eyes opened to this necessity.</p> + + <p>We passed various other encampments of Indians, and far from + any encampment or habitation saw an Indian on the track carrying + a small light bundle, and following him a long way behind was his + squaw, labouring under a very heavy burden.</p> + + <p>During this day we ran through ranges of uneven mountains, + rising one above another in broken undulations and with + ever-varying tops, such as table lands, sharp conical peaks, + rounded heads, and broken indentations.</p> + + <p>The distant mountains are enveloped in snow, upon which gleams + a resplendent setting sun, presenting a prospect which only such + a region could produce. From the dazzling whiteness of one range + we look upon the dense darkness of another, as being out of the + sun's influence. The lights and shades, the gorges, the fissures, + the striations in the range upon range, with their intervals of + plains and valleys, here and there opening up peeps of great + tracts of country, and then again shutting all in to the + circumference of their gigantic heads, interspersed with the + brilliance of rich gold, tingeing some tops and revealing dark + recesses, some ruby tints and fantastic shadows,—all + combine to reflect a glory which lifts the mind beyond the great + heights of hills to a height, greater still, whence originated + all natural grandeur.</p> + + <p>We had run through Utah and Nevada, and were now approaching + the northern part of California. In the very early morning of + December 6th I awoke and found that the train was at a + standstill. Thinking that we were at a station I tried to sleep + again, but, finding that we continued motionless, I went out on + to the platform connecting our car with the next and found all + around was deep snow, and that another train on the other metals + had broken down, and that our men were apparently helping to get + it off. We were then two miles from Truckee, and at an elevation + of nearly 6,000 feet. After a long delay we got away and ran into + Truckee. The scenery on this day was also of a truly grand + character: precipices, declivities, chasms; and in one very + romantic spot, of weird and wild mountain sides, graduating to + narrow gullies, with pine and other trees, some perfect, others + broken by the wind was one great wreck of a forest + monster—a tree rudely snapped asunder by wind or lightning, + about 40 feet from the ground, and stripped of every branch, so + that it looked like a broken column; on its top sat a great + vulture in the well-known attitude of its kind, as motionless as + rock, and apparently meditating on the incongruity of a noisy, + vulgar bit of machinery, with its train of cars, invading such a + nook of Nature's solitudes.</p> + + <p>As we proceeded we came upon the succession of Placer gold + diggings, known as the hydraulic mines, which were then for the + most part abandoned, and these brought to my remembrance many + similar spots I had seen in Australia. The <i>débris</i> + of the mines had stopped up, or diverted, or otherwise interfered + with the Sacramento River, the Bear River, and other rivers, to + the great detriment of agriculture, horticulture, stock rearing, + etc., whereupon the State Legislature of California passed an Act + to prohibit all interference with the water, for without water + the miners could not wash their dirt, and so had to abandon the + diggings. All around this part, ravine followed ravine, with + beautiful vistas between, affording a continuous luxury of scenic + gratification. Presently we reached what is called by many the + grandest scenery on the American Continent, known as Cape Horn; + it is where the train winds round a mountain side, on a narrow + ledge, and at such a height, that to hold one's hand out of the + window would be to hold it over a sheer precipice of 2,500 feet. + The train runs along the ledge or narrow roadway cut in the face + of the mountain rock, and all around is presented a spectacle of + the majesty of Nature, which only such a range of mountains as + the Sierra Nevada could produce.</p> + + <p>About 14 miles from Truckee, we reach a station called + "Summit," which lies at an elevation of 7,017 feet, and is the + highest point on the Sierra Nevada Mountains reached by + railroads, but the granite peaks rise up to an altitude of over + 10,000 feet. Grizzly bears, and other wild creatures, find their + homes in the recesses of these fastnesses. On leaving these + mountains we make a rapid descent, and in an hour feel that we + are in another country. At Colfax I bought fruit; at Arlington + the temperature was like summer. At Rockling Station I saw some + very fine orange trees, full of splendid fruit. Now we have + entered the fertile plains of North California, and run through + cultivated lands, till we reach Sacramento, the capital of the + State. It is a great change: from desert, alkaline plains, miles + of snow sheds, snow-covered mountains, a semi-civilization, and a + freezing atmosphere, we find ourselves in a warm, genial climate, + cultivated farms, vineyards, gardens, and orchards of nectarines, + pears, apples, and the rest.</p> + + <p>Arriving at Oakland, we crossed the Bay in the great + ferry-ship, or floating wharf, "Piedmont." The weather was + charming—the bay dotted about with islands and surrounded + by hills. The temperature was the more enjoyable from the fact + that only a few hours before we were surrounded by deep snow.</p> + + <p>On arriving at San Francisco (on Saturday, December 6th), I + went straight to the Palace Hotel, and my first effort was to get + a bath, for a continuous day and night run from New York of 3,367 + miles, makes one who is accustomed to the use of plenty of water + to look for a good ablution as the first refresher. The Palace + Hotel claims to be the "model hotel of the world." Its architect + visited the leading hotels of Europe so as to produce a hotel + superior to any. As to size, it occupies a complete + block—that is, it has a street traversing each side of it. + It rises to a height of 120 feet, and covers an area 350 feet by + 275 feet—that is, 96,250 square feet, or nearly 2-3/4 + acres, and, with sub-sidewalk extensions, exceeds three acres. + The lower story is 27 feet high, the uppermost one 16 feet high. + The foundation wall is 12 feet thick, and the principal materials + are stone, iron, brick, and marble. Every partition wall + throughout is stone and brick. It is fire and earthquake proof, + the walls being additionally tied by iron bands. It has four + artesian wells, yielding 28,000 gallons of water an hour, a + 630,000 gallon reservoir, and tanks holding 130,000 gallons more. + The water is served by three large steam fire pumps, which throw + the water above the roof. There are five patent safety-catch + hydraulic elevators (or lifts). Immense precautions have been + taken against fire. The dining-rooms are 150 feet by 55 feet, and + 100 feet by 50 feet. The public rooms are very numerous, and are + of immense size. The rooms for guests are principally 20 feet by + 20 feet; none are less than 16 feet by 16 feet; all are well + furnished. The corridors are like streets—space, elegance, + solidity, and comfort are apparent everywhere; the whole being + lighted by gas and electricity. Each bedroom has a bath-room, + with hot and cold water services; w.c., coat-closet, and lavatory + closet, with hot and cold water services to itself, and which can + only be used by the occupant of the bed-room. The hotel, of + course, has a barber's shop, and as I expected my client to call + I was anxious to get through my toilet quickly; so I rang for one + of the barber's assistants to come to my bed-room to cut my hair + preparatory to the bath. This did not take long, and I asked the + price, when, to my surprise, a dollar and a-half, <i>i.e.,</i> + 6s. 3d., was required. I thought it was barbarism indeed!</p> + + <p>I left San Francisco on Monday, December 8th, and during my + short stay I saw something of the town; but it was not the same + place as I remembered it from my two visits to it in 1862. It is + full of life and activity, has many wealthy men, 50 of whom, it + is said, are millionaires. It has a large number of grand + buildings, fine shops, extensive markets, beautiful private + residences, and an immense development of electricity for motion, + light, sound, etc. The tram-cars run in constant succession + everywhere; but the most remarkable cars are those worked by an + endless cable. In the city are works with immense steam power, + and from these works endless cables revolve throughout the city, + under the roads, in various directions. In the bed of the tramway + is a groove, under which is the cable, revolving at a great + speed. The driver of the car lets down his grip, which tightly + holds the cable, and, of course, the car starts at full speed, + and is carried along by the cable. When the driver wants to stop, + he lets go his grip on the cable and applies his brake. Some of + the hills in San Francisco are very steep, and the first + sensation in riding on the outside front seat, while going full + speed down a sharp declivity, is certainly novel, with no + apparent motive power, and no apparent means of stopping. The + speed, of course, is always the same, whether up or down hill, or + on level ground. Telegraph Hill is 394 feet high, Clay Street + Hill 376 feet, and Russian Hill 360 feet. A San Francisco Sunday + is painful to one accustomed to our English ways; travelling in + every form, and buying and selling are very prevalent. The + Y.M.C.A. have a large building there, and get large meetings. I + attended one gathering, which I addressed shortly.</p> + + <p>San Francisco is described as having "the mildest and most + equable climate known to any large city in the world." January is + the coldest month, and the mean temperature then is stated to be + 50°. September is the hottest month, and the mean temperature + then is stated to be 58°. Thus only 8° difference between + the coldest and warmest months, and the average for the whole + year is 54°.</p> + + <p>San Francisco has a population of about 300,000 (including + some 40,000 Chinese), is the principal city of the State of + California, and the principal commercial centre on the Pacific + coast. I must not, however, dwell longer on this part of my + journey. On Monday, December 8th, I left San Francisco with one + of my clients, Mr. C.H. Huffman, for Merced, by the 4 p.m train. + The sun was shining gloriously, producing a charming effect upon + the placid waters of the Bay and its beautiful surrounding + hills.</p><a name="SAN_FRANCISCO_TO_NEW_ORLEANS"></a> + + <h3>SAN FRANCISCO TO NEW ORLEANS.</h3> + + <p>The train reached Merced at 10.23 on Monday night, December + 8th, 1890, where I was met, and in a spacious family buggy, drawn + by a pair of good horses, I was very soon at the residence of my + client, Mr. C.H. Huffman. The continuous day and night travelling + by rail, and the taking of voluminous notes all along, had caused + a constant excitement which told upon the nerves, and for two + days I felt as though I needed absolute rest, but, remembering + that I had already been long absent from my office, I commenced + my work at Merced the next morning. The town of Merced is the + capital of the county of that name; it is not many years old, but + it has a striking difference to many new small towns I have seen + in the Colonies, in that it has several very good buildings and + residences. It has seven churches and chapels of various + denominations, some good shops, medical men, society, schools, + gas, water, electricity, and a station on the main Great Southern + Pacific Railway. It is undoubtedly a town which must rapidly + increase in value, for this reason: My clients, Messrs. Crocker + and Huffman, at a cost of some two million dollars, have tapped + the Great Merced River 25 miles off, and brought water down to + the town and irrigated the country round. They have formed a + reservoir 640 acres in extent. Hitherto the rich lands around the + town of Merced have not been irrigated, and consequently were not + suitable for growing the Fruits for which California is so + famous; but, now that a system of canals, formed by my clients, + has irrigated their estate, extending over some 50,000 or 60,000 + acres, the whole of this great area is changed in value, and is + available, and will eventually be used, for the production of + choice Fruits. Thus, Merced will become a centre, like other + parts of California, and, being so much nearer than those other + parts to San Francisco, will benefit additionally by that + advantage alone. Merced is only 152 miles from San Francisco, + while Fresno is 207, Bakersfield 314, and Los Angeles, 483 miles. + It is rumoured that another line of railway will also be formed + in connection with the present main line, and Merced would then + be an important railway junction. I drove out every day with Mr. + Huffman, and inspected the country for some miles around the + town, including the Merced River, 25 miles off. The land + designated British Colony, is, at its commencement, only two + miles from the Merced Railway Station, hotel, and shops. Mr. + Huffman has a most comfortable residence, and has excellent + stables, well filled with first-class buggy horses, so that + travelling was always an easy matter. Being a lay preacher in + England, I took advantage of offers made me, and preached on the + Sunday I was at Merced in two of the churches at the morning and + evening services.</p> + + <p>I left Merced on Tuesday night, December 16th, by the 10.23 + train, having stayed there eight days. I immediately "turned in," + and next morning (December 17th) was up as usual at 6.30, and + much enjoyed the splendid scenery through which we were + passing—in a mountainous country, grandly diversified with + all the alternations of heights and depths, lights and darks, + rich and barren, including many evidences of engineering + skill—as we coursed along, now looking high up, now looking + low down, and presently winding along the celebrated "loop," + described as the "greatest engineering feat in the world," by + which the train goes through mountain passes, creeping along the + tops of eminences, then returning, crosses under itself at a low + level, then, ascending, crosses over itself at a higher level, so + that in its meandering course you now look down at your side on + the line you have just traversed, and anon look up at your side + at the line you are about to traverse. We passed through the + Mojava (pronounced Moharvie) desert, where the yucca palm is + plentiful. A fellow passenger, and old settler, enlivened the + time by some relations of his experiences thus: He once shot a + grizzly bear which weighed 1,500 lbs. Some are much larger than + this. Everything of weight in America is generally reckoned by + pounds, not cwts. or tons. On another occasion he slew a + Californian lion. He had killed a bullock, and the carcase was + hanging in his house at the back, where was an aperture like a + small window without glass, and under this opening outside stood + an empty case. The lion scenting the carcase, and hearing no + sound from within, approached the house, and was endeavouring to + creep through the aperture when, in its efforts to do so, it + kicked the case away, and the poor animal was stuck fast, having + its head and shoulders inside. My fellow traveller, on returning + home, was surprised to find his visitor, and so despatched him + with an axe, and has for years used the skin, which is 9 feet 8 + inches long. The temperature was charming, although in the + distance we could see the snow-capped mountains. We run through + the antelope valley, gather some juniper plant, see a skunk, see + natural oil wells at Saugus, pass the head of the Santa Clara + Valley, see the San Fernando mountains, go through the greatest + tunnel in America—the San Fernando tunnel, 6,967 feet long, + go by Burbank, where there is a land boom, and arrive at Los + Angeles, where during the two hours of waiting I have a look at + the town and a pleasant chat with Mr. White Mortimer, the British + Consul, whom I called upon. The next day (December 18th) we were + on the desert of Arizona, where we saw Indian camps at places + which were somewhat oases as to plant life. Speaking generally, + nothing grows on a great part of this desert but cactus, of which + I am told there are some 200 varieties, from the dwarf kind to + trees 40 feet high. This plant has a strange if not a weird + appearance. Here and there, like solitary sentinels, stands out a + tall cactus, with perhaps two or three heads or branches, growing + perpendicularly with itself. The mountains on either side look as + if they had their origin in volcanic eruptions.</p> + + <p>Some parts of the desert are covered with a dwarf kind of + evergreen shrub. We see large numbers of prairie dogs, which are + of a size between a rat and a rabbit; they live in holes like + rabbits. There are also gophers, skunks, prairie rats, + rattlesnakes, and hawks, which feed on snakes and rats. We pass + tribes of Yuma Indians, Aztec Indians and Gila (pronounced Heela) + Indians. On reaching a part where is some grass we see some + cattle, which are straying on the line; the engine whistle + shrieks, the cattle run, and some coyote wolves are startled from + their lairs and run, too; large numbers are here, and the + preceding night their yells aroused some passengers from sleep. + As we proceed, quail are seen, and wild cats something like a + lynx. Arriving at Tucson (pronounced Tewsohn), I enquired for a + gentleman to whom I had an introduction, but learned that he was + up at his gold mine. This Tucson is an ancient city, having been + founded by the Jesuits in 1560 A.D. It does a large business in + exporting gold dust, wool, and hides. I expect that these + mountains of Arizona contain much value in minerals. The Indians + in this part of the country are the Apaches, and were described + to me as the most treacherous of all the American Indians, that + they are cowardly and will never fight in the open. A gentleman + who entered the train at Tucson gave me many instances of this. + In the evening we saw "cow-boys" round their fire camping out in + the open, and also a camp of freighters resting on their journey + across the desert. The next morning early (December 19th) we + arrived at El Paso, a most interesting Mexican town situate on + the borders of Old Mexico, New Mexico and Texas, where I bought + the skin of a Mexican tiger, and other things.</p> + + <p>In travelling for some days in a train continuously one feels + the need of exercise, and this I obtained by getting in and out + of many of the railway stations and walking up and down. Between + San Francisco and New Orleans there are 322 stations, and I + should suppose the number of stations on both the Northern and + Southern routes I traversed would probably amount to nearly + 700.</p> + + <p>We are now commencing to cross the great plains of Texas. At + first the plains are desert, with mountains skirting our view; + the scenery is less interesting than the Arizona desert, because + there are no cacti. This desert has probably been under salt + water at some time. The rocky hills appear to have a volcanic + origin. As we go on, we reach a poor kind of pasture, growing out + of a scrubby kind of shrub, with some occasional cacti, many + hills and mountains like barren rocks, with not a bird or an + animal to be seen. The weather has been warm since leaving + Merced, but now, so far south as we are, it is hot on this + December day. I had read in the short telegrams given by American + papers, that the winter was very severe in England, and I + pictured often to myself, friends and clients in England muffled + up amidst frost and snow, whilst I was revelling in glorious + sunshine, so warm that no greatcoat could be worn. Had I returned + by the route I went (the Northern Prairies), I might have been + delayed by snow drifts, but by this, the Southern route, there + was no snow, but a continuous, cheerful, delightful sunshine, not + too hot anywhere, but simply delightful. I should certainly + recommend anyone going from England to California in the winter + season, to go by the Southern route. Amongst the objects of + interest, we notice in the distance a small herd of 14 wild + antelope trotting along; cattle, coyote wolves, and, at many + places, the well-picked bones of animals which had dropped dead, + or, when weak, had been killed or eaten by carnivora or reptiles. + We saw large numbers of prairie dogs; they sit outside their + holes like a squirrel, on their haunches, with their fore paws + up; they are very quick, and most difficult even to shoot. More + antelopes and coyotes. At a station called Alpine were several + cowboys, all armed with revolvers and cartridge belts, and some + with dagger knives too; their mustangs were hitched up close by. + These cowboys are some old and some young men, some wild and some + cultivated, some never educated, some have gone through Harvard, + or Oxford, or Cambridge, some the sons of English county + gentlemen and noblemen—but all cowboys, <i>i.e.,</i> men + who live on ranches where large herds of cattle or horses are + bred, and whose duty it is to ride over the wild rough country to + know where the herds of cattle and horses are feeding, so that if + they need to be ridden up for cutting or branding, or selling, + they may be found. I was told that this was one of the "hardest" + places for a cowboy, <i>i.e.,</i> one of the wickedest, meaning + that when they visit it, it is for a "spree," and they get drunk, + and fights and murders follow. I was pointed to a little cemetery + on a hill, enclosed by a white fence, and was told that it + contained 150 bodies, and that only 50 had died a natural death; + the others had been shot or otherwise murdered in drunken frays + and other ways. Many strange little histories were told me about + these men, but which I have no time to record here. In some parts + of the country where water was very scarce, there seemed to be no + vegetation, and the cattle seemed to wander solitarily along, a + mere heap of hide and bone. At many stations I had quite a + considerable interval for running about, such as when a wheel + caught fire, which happened two or three times, or some freight + had to be taken in, or taken out, etc. When the train again + starts, the conductors shout "All aboard," and there is a general + rush.</p> + + <p>The next day (December 20th) was again a brilliant day of + sunshine; we see many buzzards, and breakfast at San Antonio. The + railway stations along this country have two roofs, one being two + or three feet above the other, so that air between should keep + the building cool. At breakfast, I read the San Antonio <i>Daily + Express</i>, which informed me "severe storms prevailed + everywhere in Great Britain," and my thoughts were naturally much + occupied with the Old Country. The day was sultry, but sunshine + is always a great treat to me, and it was never too hot.</p> + + <p>Now we are running into civilization again, and I catch sight + of a man ploughing; he has a pair of mules, and is holding the + reins in his teeth. As we proceed, it is a continuous succession + of cotton fields, cotton fields, cotton fields. We see many + bales; these weigh from 475 to 600 lbs. each. At a station called + Sequin, I obtained lots of cotton seeds, and gathered some cotton + in the fields as we went along. The scavengers of this country + are Turkey buzzards, which are protected by law because of their + usefulness.</p> + + <p>I could not refrain from writing several times in my + note-book, "glorious sunshine." Hitherto we have had mountains + continuously in sight, but now they are out of vision. This being + Saturday we see markets at the towns we go through; at Habwood + and Flatonia especially was this noticeable. The population + seemed almost altogether negro. I observed a negro and his wife, + well dressed, riding on horseback in the old English pillion + style; another negro and his wife, and about twelve children, in + a capacious kind of wagon-buggy, and many negroes and negresses, + the latter dressed in white and gay colours, standing at their + pretty verandahed cottages.</p> + + <p>We now pass a spot where a train was stopped and the + passengers robbed some time ago, by Jesse and Frank Jeames and + the Ford Brothers. The <i>modus operandi</i> is for all the men + to be secreted but one, who stands on the line holding up a red + flag which indicates danger; the engineer then stops and the men + spring aboard; some hold revolvers to the heads of the engineers, + and others go through the train and rob the passengers. The + robbers shout out "hands up," and one man points his weapon at + the passenger's head, whilst another rifles his pockets. If a + passenger fails to hold up his hands he is shot down. A passenger + on the Northern Prairies told me of a fellow passenger, who under + such circumstances having a revolver, aimed at a robber and + pulled the trigger, but it missed fire, and he was instantly shot + down. But these attacks are now more rare, and the officials are + more prepared for them. Sometimes the robbers get on board the + train as passengers, and act suddenly in concert. All along the + country now we pass the cabins of the slaves, familiarised to us + by "Uncle Tom's Cabin." These cabins are pleasant little houses + with verandahs, and I reflected how favourably they compared with + the "homes" of many of the London poor, and how happy the slaves + might have been but for the knowledge that at any time they were + liable to be sold like a mule or a bullock. Now we pass sugar, + cotton and rice plantations, and go through such cultivations all + through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North and South + Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. I gathered sugar and cotton + going along at places, saw a racoon in a stream fishing for + crawfish, and go through a country, in which are plenty of + alligators.</p> + + <p>On the early morning of Sunday (December 21st), we go through + swamps, such as we used to read of as the hiding-places of + runaway slaves. All through these Southern States we saw + everywhere sugar and cotton, sugar and cotton, sugar and cotton; + these, with rice, are the principal products; sugar mills, cotton + yards, etc., etc. We soon reach Algiers, and cross the grand + Mississippi River, then land at New Orleans. The actual city of + New Orleans covers an area of about 41 square miles, but the + statutory limits of the city embrace nearly 150 square miles. It + is situate on both banks of the Mississippi River, and from 1,000 + to 1,500 steamers and other vessels, from all parts of the world, + may frequently be seen lying there. New Orleans is the chief + market in the world for cotton. The site of the city was surveyed + in 1717 by De la Tour, and it was settled in 1718, but abandoned + in consequence of overflows, storms, and sickness; it was + resettled in 1723, held by the French till 1729, then by the + Spaniards till 1801, by the French again till 1803, and then, + with the Province of Louisiana, was ceded to the United States. + The present population is about 250,000. There are 33 cemeteries, + and they are remarkable, inasmuch as the bodies are buried above + ground, in vaults like tiers of ovens; the ground is too wet for + burial. I attended Trinity Church in the morning, had some black + bear for dinner at my hotel, the "Hotel St. Charles," and then + attended the Y.M.C.A., where I gave the address in the afternoon, + which was followed by a very solemn after meeting. I went to bed + very early, and was up very early the next morning (Monday, + December 22nd). I had to draw the mosquito curtains in the night, + but not till after some of these insects had left their mark. The + principal ground floor of the hotel was on the first floor level, + and the actual ground floor was of secondary importance; the + front part was occupied by stone steps and a colonnade, and the + rear was a liquor bar and a large hall. This hall used to be one + of the principal auction rooms of the city, where slaves were + sold by auction; and as I entered the now rather desolate-looking + place, which is partly circular in shape and constructed with + many pillar supports, I pictured to myself the emotional agonies, + the tempests of passion, the lust of greed, the calm, subdued, + resistless attitude of despair which at times found expression, + as domestic circles were for ever broken, tenderest sympathies + for ever sundered, closest friendships for ever + separated—yea, even the most sacred relationships of life + ruthlessly shattered, by the sale of mothers or fathers, brothers + or sisters, wives or husbands, sweethearts or friends. Of this I + will give just two illustrations: Our porter on the train + crossing the Northern Prairies was a coloured man named Farrell; + he told me that his mother had seven boys, and that they were all + sold away from her, and that it had been his life-work to try to + find his brothers. He had shipped to Australia as a seaman, had + worked in hotels, and on wharves and rivers, and now was working + on the railway cars endeavouring to find his brothers; he had + advertised for them in the newspapers, but he had never heard of + one of them. When this family was broken up, Farrell and his + brothers were only boys; for it will be remembered that the date + of the official announcement of the total abolition of slavery in + the United States was made on the 18th December, 1862, when + upwards of 4,000,000 slaves were legally declared free men. + Another coloured man engaged at this hotel, who was born a slave, + remembered walking with his father, who was also a slave, and his + father's anxiety to get home before nine o'clock at night, as no + coloured man was allowed to be in the streets after that hour + unless he possessed a sufficient authority from his owner. This + man told me that at an auction of slaves at this hotel (auctions + of slaves were held in New Orleans at different places three + times a week) a very fine intelligent young man was sold by + auction for 2,100 dollars to a lawyer who was known to be a cruel + man. My informant told me that his name was—well, it + sounded like Rumo, possibly Roumeaux, as most of the wealthy + settlers were of French origin, that he lived in St. James' Ward, + and that when he bought slaves and sent them down to his + plantations, they each received twenty-five lashes as they + entered his gates, as an example, of what they would receive if + they did not please him. Well, when the hammer fell and this + slave knew that he belonged to an owner whose cruelty was common + talk, he exclaimed, "You have lost your money." This slave was + sent down with others to the steamer on the Mississippi (which is + only some ten minutes' walk from the hotel), for shipment to this + owner's plantations. The poor fellow was not even allowed to say + good-bye to his people, but was sent on board. When he arrived + there, he repeated to the man in charge of the slaves, "Mr. Rumo + will lose his money," and shortly after he took advantage of a + favourable moment, and, folding his arms, he threw himself + backward into the river, and was drowned.</p> + + <p>A few minutes' walk from my hotel is the Henry Clay monument, + where the mob was addressed last month by Mr. Parkerson, who + incited them to proceed to the prison and force an entrance, and + then to take the lives of a number of Italian murderers by lynch + law. On this monument some memorable words are inscribed which + Mr. Clay uttered, and which T copied. They are as + follows:—"If I could be instrumental in eradicating this + deep stain, slavery, from the character of our country, I would + not exchange the proud satisfaction which I should enjoy for the + honour of all the triumphs ever decreed to the most successful + conqueror." That deep stain was removed in 1862, and slaves were + raised from the condition of cattle to that of men, who could + thenceforward rejoice in the freedom of being masters of their + own bodies.</p><a name="NEW_ORLEANS_TO_LONDON"></a> + + <h3>NEW ORLEANS TO LONDON.</h3> + + <p>On leaving New Orleans we run through swamps, and presently + skirt the Gulf of Mexico and travel on. The next day (December + 23rd), we feel it perceptibly colder, for we are going north. The + country is cultivated in sugar, cotton, rice, grass, etc. We + breakfast at Atlanta, and after leaving that place, the scenery + puts me more in mind of England. In going through Georgia, I was + told that the same black families which now occupy many of the + small wooden houses, or "cabins," which I see, are the same + families who occupied them before the abolition of slavery. + Although many slaves suffered cruelties through enforced + separations and hard treatment, yet very many had most + comfortable homes, considerate masters, and light work. I sat + much during this day on the platform at the end of the end car, + observing the country. At one station some little black urchins + came to gaze, and I said to one boy, apparently seven years old, + "What is your name?" He said, "Willie Matthews." I said, "How old + are you? " He said, "I ain't old enough to know how old I are." + And his genuine simplicity delighted me.</p> + + <p>We are now passing through cultivated lands, farms, and + estates, and these continue right on to New York. At Greers was a + very large collection of cotton. At Spartanville are large cotton + mills, such as one sees in Lancashire. The next day (December + 24th), we notice ice on the ponds. We cross the Potomac River, + and near Washington, sight the Capitol—or, as we should say + in England, the Houses of Parliament. Washington City is the + political capital of the United States. Its size is about 4-1/2 + miles by 2-1/2 miles. The Capitol is described by the Americans + as the most magnificent public edifice in the world. It is 352 + feet long and 121 feet deep, with two wings each 238 by 140 feet. + Its entire length is 751 feet 4 inches, and it covers an area of + more than 3-1/2 acres. It is of costly construction, and stands + in grounds of about 50 acres.</p> + + <p>We proceed, and stop at Baltimore, cross the Bush and + Gunpowder Rivers, again come near the Susquehanna and Delaware + Rivers, various smaller rivers, and run on until we reach New + York. On arrival, I immediately went to the Cunard office and + secured my berth in the "Servia." The next morning (Christmas + Day), it was very cold, and snowing. I had a fire lit in my + bed-room, and there wrote the article which appeared in the + January <i>Land Roll</i>. In the afternoon I walked in the + Central Park, but it was so bitterly cold, I was satisfied with + less than two hours of exercise, and returned to the hotel to + dinner, and finished up the day writing in my bed-room till + midnight. The Central Park, in genial weather, would be an + attractive resort. I observed large natural rocks, lawns, wide + promenades, seats, lakes, menageries, swings, and various such + like attractions for juveniles, overground and underground + roads—a kind of "Rotten Row," &c., but being so cold + scarcely a person was to be seen.</p> + + <p>On December 26th, New York was deep in snow. I visited a few + shops for some necessaries, and went on board the "Servia" during + the afternoon, thinking that I might have difficulty in getting a + cabman to drive to the docks after dark if the snow drifted + deeply. New York City is the metropolis of the United States. In + 1880 its population was 1,206,590. Its site was discovered in + 1524. It was in 1609 that Hudson, an Englishman, ascended the + river which was named after him. In 1614 some Dutchmen settled + there. In 1648 its population was 1,000, and in 1700 it had + increased to 6,000. In 1684 it was captured by the Duke of York, + and was henceforth called "New York." In 1711 a slave market was + established in Wall Street.</p> + + <p>On December 27th, about 5 o'clock in the morning, we began to + clear out of the dock, and in a few hours were again on the broad + Atlantic. The next day (Sunday, December 28th), we had service on + board, conducted by the doctor in the saloon: all on board not + actually on duty may attend. We left New York in a blizzard, and + our decks were coated with frost and snow, but after two days + this was all cleared away, and we had a splendid run in genial + weather, so that one day I could comfortably walk on deck without + a greatcoat.</p> + + <p>Our run was—from Sandy Hook Lighthouse (45 miles) to + noon of December 28th, 373 miles; noon of December 29th, 379 + miles; December 30th, 375 miles; December 31st, 878 miles; + January 1st, 1891, 372 miles; January 2nd, 362 miles; January + 3rd, 371 miles; thence, to Queenstown, 169 miles; and from + Queenstown to Liverpool, 240 miles; making a total of 3,064 + miles. The passage in the "Etruria," going out, was 3,062 miles. + The "Servia" is a fine ship, but much older than the "Etruria," + and her engines, consequently, are not capable of the speed of a + newer vessel. Her cargo capacity is 6,500 tons, with 1,800 tons + of coal and 1,000 tons of water ballast. Her horse-power is equal + to 10,500. The saloon is 74 by 49 feet, and is capable of seating + 350 persons. The "Servia" has cabin accommodation for 500 saloon + and 600 steerage passengers, besides a crew of 200 officers and + men. When there are more than 350 saloon passengers, each meal + has to be served in two relays.</p> + + <p>An interesting incident occurred during the passage: I + discovered that our captain (now commanding the "Aurania") was a + shipmate of mine in 1855, when I was a midshipman. I reached my + office in Lincoln's Inn Fields at 8 o'clock on the morning of + January 5th, having been absent just about six weeks.</p> + + <p>The distances were as follows:—</p> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="Distances" border="0" class="center"> + <tr> + <td>Liverpool to New York</td> + + <td align="right">3,062</td> + + <td align="center">miles.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>New York to Chicago</td> + + <td align="right">913</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Chicago to Council Bluffs</td> + + <td align="right">488</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Council Bluffs to San Francisco</td> + + <td align="right">1,867</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>San Francisco to Merced</td> + + <td align="right">152</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Merced to New Orleans</td> + + <td align="right">2,344</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>New Orleans to Washington</td> + + <td align="right">1,144</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Washington to New York</td> + + <td align="right">228</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>New York to Liverpool</td> + + <td align="right">3,064</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>London to Liverpool</td> + + <td align="right">201</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Liverpool to London</td> + + <td align="right">201</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Journeys in buggies, tram-cars, &c.</td> + + <td align="right">110</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">--------</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">13,774</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + + <p>I must conclude with some general remarks:—</p> + + <p>The <i>Times</i> recently published a series of ten articles + on the "Negro Question in the United States," and from them it + appears that the position of that country is very serious in this + relation. These articles commenced after I had started on my + journey, so that I only saw one or two of the concluding ones and + the <i>Times</i> leader upon the whole, but I was not surprised + to see them, because in passing through the States which are + principally peopled by negroes, I heard something about the + matter from a thoughtful man, who regarded the subject with great + gravity. The <i>Times</i> has shown that the attitude of one race + to the other is that of "antagonism, discontent, and perpetual + danger."</p> + + <p>The negroes have the same constitutional privileges as the + whites, and their overpowering numbers in certain places give the + power into their hands, which, regarded in relation to racial + hatred, renders them to be an object of danger to the country. It + is proposed to emigrate the negroes to some part of Africa. It + would be more consistent for certain Americans to interest + themselves in solving this problem of their own rather than + encouraging Irish agitators, and so assisting to prevent England + solving her dark problem across St. George's Channel.</p> + + <p>The proportion of coloured people to white in the three states + of Georgia, Louisiana, and Alabama, is about equal, that is, + there are as many coloured people as white. The population of + coloured people throughout the whole of the United States is + about 7,000,000 of coloured people to 59,000,000 of white people, + but it is a sad fact, as stated in the <i>Times</i> of March 7th + last, that a Government return, dated June 1st, 1890, showed that + there were 45,233 convicts in the prisons of the United States, + and that of this number no less than 14,687, or one-third were + coloured people, and that out of these coloured people only 237 + were Chinese, 3 Japanese, and 180 Indians, so that 14,267 were + negroes. As the whites, counting all the States, are eight times + as numerous as the coloured people, and yet the coloured convicts + are one-third of the whole, it speaks badly for the morals of the + negro race in America.</p> + + <p>I was much struck with the immense development of electricity. + Steamers, railway carriages, tramcars, hotels, shops, towns, + villages, and railway stations, even those in remote places, with + scarcely a building near to them, were all well lighted by + electricity.</p> + + <p>Railways run on scaffoldings down the centre of the streets, + and horses with their vehicles run underneath them. The railway + trains are well heated throughout by hot water pipes (every + class), and reflect a grave reproach on our country, where, in + the severest weather, it is difficult to get a foot warmer, + except by certain main line trains, and, even then, one is + expected to "tip" the attendant. Poor persons travelling in thin + garments and poorly fed, in severe weather, scarcely ever dare to + ask for a foot warmer unless they are prepared to fee someone, + and, whether rich or poor, no one can get a foot warmer at any of + our country stations. When we consider that railways originated + in this country, and that some of the parts of America I passed + through were, some 50, some 40, and some even 30 years ago, only + known to the trapper and the Indian, it shows the increase of + enterprise exhibited by our cousins over the Atlantic.</p> + + <p>Tramcars are worked by electricity, by steam, by horses and + mules, and by revolving endless cables. Telephones are + everywhere. The railway journeys in America often occupying + several days, the tickets are a kind of succession of coupons, + parts of which have to be given up at various stages. Caution is + exercised in selling railway tickets for long + journeys—thus, you are required to sign the ticket, and + observations are made of you, such as your height, probable age, + colour of your eyes, hair, etc. Some of the lines of railway are + not fenced in, not even in towns, so that the train runs through + a town as openly as does an omnibus. I may convey some idea of + some of the large American systems of agriculture, by referring + to the estate of one of my clients, Mr. C.H. Huffman, of Merced, + California. This gentleman has fields ranging from 1,000 to + 15,000 acres each. He can plough 400 to 500 acres a day. By his + traction engine he can strike 12 furrows at a time. He can put 70 + teams (of eight mules or horses each) to work at one time. Each + harvester will cut, thrash, and sack an average of 50 acres a + day. The front part of the machine faces the standing wheat in + the field, in the centre of the machine it is thrashed and + winnowed, and at the rear it is thrown out in sacks ready for + market. Mr. Huffman can sit in his study at home, and by his + telephone talk to his clerks at Merced (he is the banker there), + as well as to the foremen at his various ranches for 25 miles + round the country. I particularly noticed one of his fields of + wheat, comprising 2,000 acres, as level and clean as a well-kept + lady's flower garden in England.</p> + + <p>The Americans have a greater variety of foods served at their + meals than we do, but I never got the flavour of meat cut from a + joint to equal that which, when really well roasted and served, + we get in England. As to bread, I never tasted bread worth the + name, from the time I left London to the time I returned to it. + Alike on the Cunard steamers, cars, hotels, etc., you can get no + wholemeal bread. French and Vienna breads, and other very white + abortions of that kind are obtainable in abundance, and even a + kind of brown bread, and "Graham's" bread, but good honest + wholemeal bread, containing all the properties of the full kernel + of the wheat, it is impossible to get, and this to me was a very + great deprivation, as my <i>principal</i> article of food is + <i>real</i> wholemeal bread.</p> + + <p>The system of the custody of letters at the large American + hotels appeared to me rather unsafe. A visitor asks for letters, + whereupon there are handed to him all the letters in the + pigeon-hole marked with the initial of which the visitor's name + commences. The visitor then proceeds to look through them, and + takes what he chooses, and hands the rest back. The official is + too busy, or it is not customary for him, to look through them + for the visitor, or even to watch the visitor in his process of + selection. I noticed one gentleman with a packet of letters, I + should think considerably over a hundred, every now and then slip + one into his breast pocket and give a furtive glance, which did + not inspire confidence, but probably this is a well accustomed + habit of the people, and the letters, perhaps, are as safe as the + newspapers I frequently saw deposited on the tops of the street + letter boxes (outside the boxes), because they were too large to + be put inside; of course anyone could have taken them, but the + custom not to touch them is probably honourably recognized. The + street letter boxes are quite small square boxes, not large + pillar boxes as are ours in this country.</p> + + <p>I should like to have remarked more generally on America, but + both time and space fail me. Of course, as most people know, the + (to us) disgusting practice of spitting is common in America; + spittoons are universally provided in public and private places. + At Merced Court House is this notice: "Gentlemen will not, and + others should not spit upon the floors." Huge spittoons are + provided there.</p> + + <p>The awful guttural which precedes the constant expectoration + of Americans is most trying. It excites in persons near them and + who are unaccustomed to it, a sensation of necessity to vomit, as + it conveys a fear that your neighbour is about to vomit over you. + It is not the excusable expectoration arising from an + accumalation in the air passages, but a continuous fusilade of + saliva. It is a disgusting practice, and I believe will die out + in America as its citizens travel more in the old countries and + become used to manners more refined than such a one as this. I + observed that my clients in California, who have travelled in + Europe, and other travelled Americans, are not guilty of this + odious practice.</p> + + <p>I would say to Englishmen travelling in America, don't + condescend to the "guessing" and other loose styles of + expression, and don't affect the nasal twang. Americans, with all + their boast of one man being as good as another, are greatly + pleased to entertain or travel with Englishmen having a title, + and they pay a marked respect to Britishers who speak in a + classical style, and who, while being devoid of foppishness, + bounce, or vulgarity, conduct themselves with a genial + dignity.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + <a name="California"></a> + + <h2><b>California.</b></h2><br> + + <p>I will now say something about California, and then proceed to + describe the lands for sale, and the prospects of those who will + settle upon them.</p> + + <p>California lies on the genial coast of the Pacific Ocean, + midway between the too cold regions of the North and the too hot + regions of the South. To be exact, the mean temperature in San + Francisco in the month of January, averages about 49°. It has + varied from 53° to 39°. The record of 32 years shows that + between sunrise and sunset it has not been so low as 32° on + more than 10 days. Snow is sometimes seen to fall, but it melts + immediately.</p> + + <p>California has a bright, genial climate, and is described as + "pre-eminently a sunny land." The early spring, commencing about + the middle of February and lasting about six weeks, is a very + pleasant part of the year, but April is described as the + "cheeriest." December and January are the least pleasant, because + it is the rainy and winter season.</p> + + <p>Thunderstorms are rare, and no hurricane has ever been known + there. The rainfall of California is about twenty inches, and the + rainy days number about sixty in the year, or about half the + number of rainy days experienced in the Atlantic States or + Central Europe.</p> + + <p>Amongst the fruits grown in abundance are the orange, grape, + peach, apricot, plum, cherry, apple, nectarine, fig, lemon, lime, + olive, date, and all the berries of value.</p> + + <p>Besides the immense growth of choice and luscious Fruits, for + which California is famous all over the globe, it claims to have + the largest milk, butter, and cheese dairies in the world. It is + also renowned for its mineral riches, its immense mercantile + business, its manufacturing industries, its production of wool, + its gigantic timber, its wealth of beauty in flowers, its fast + horses, its grand scenery, embracing lofty mountains, deep + valleys, expansive fertile plains, and all the variations of a + beautiful country, with many rivers, and a magnificent sea coast, + whilst the "coast range" and the slopes of the "Sierra" offer to + the sportsman such game in abundance as grizzly and cinnamon + bears and Californian lions. There are also deer, hare, rabbit, + quail, large flocks of wild ducks and geese, and the rivers + afford such fish as salmon and trout, and the deep sea splendid + fishing.</p> + + <p>San Francisco has been called "a city of 100 hills." It has a + population of nearly 300,000 inhabitants, amongst whom are no + less than 50 <i>millionaires</i>. Its harbour is known all over + the globe as the "Golden Gate," and it has answered well to its + name, for an entrance to its vast resources has made the fortune + of multitudes of people, and many going there now are laying the + foundations for future wealth.</p> + + <p>The lands of California have the two essentials for successful + culture—a rich soil and genial climate, with plenty of sun, + yet never too hot and never too cold for out-door work, and most + of its domestic animals are never housed, and require no food but + wild herbage.</p><br> + + <h2>FRUIT CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA.</h2><br> + + <p>Our lands at Merced, in California, offer to gentlemen wishing + to make a first or a fresh start in life a really good + opportunity. It is difficult to conceive how men with energy, + enterprise, and a little capital, can be content to sit in an + office in foggy, blocked-up London, "quill driving" from year's + end to year's end, when a prospect is afforded them, such as we + now offer, of establishing a pleasant home in a luxurious land, + with a sunny, genial climate, and within about a fortnight's + travel of England, and where they would have the liberty of being + their own masters, and lay the foundation of a future + competency.</p><a name="CURRENCY"></a> + + <h3>CURRENCY.</h3> + + <p>As the currency in California is dollars, not pounds, we must + ask our readers to accustom themselves to dollars. A dollar is + 100 cents, and, roughly speaking, a cent is equivalent to a + halfpenny, so that a dollar would be worth, of our money, four + shillings and twopence. Its value, however, varies a few cents + according to the place where it is exchanged. Bank of England + notes or pounds are never worth less than four shillings and + twopence, <i>i.e.,</i> 480 cents or halfpennies, which, of + course, is four dollars and 80 cents, there being 100 cents in a + dollar. The decimal currency is extremely simple when once + understood. Never less than 4.80 is given for an English pound, + but sometimes 4.82 and 4.85 is obtained.</p><a name="MERCED"></a> + + <h3>MERCED.</h3> + + <p>The lands I have for sale are situate in the County of Merced, + in California, about 150 miles by rail from the City of San + Francisco, They are designated "British Colony," and at the + nearest point are just one mile from the boundary of the town of + Merced, and two miles from the railway station, hotel, shops, + etc. Merced town is lighted by gas and electricity, has water + laid on, telephones, telegraphs, Court House, Episcopal Church, + Presbyterian Church, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Methodist + Church, South Methodist Church, Baptist Church, and Catholic + Church, two schools, shops of various kinds; two railroads, the + main one running up to San Francisco, and down to Los Angeles and + on to New Orleans, etc., and the other, a branch line to + Stockton, Sacramento, etc. Merced is 175 feet above the level of + the sea; it is a pleasant little town, affords some congenial + society, and I firmly believe will, before many years have + passed, become an important centre, because my clients have + brought water from the Merced River more than twenty miles off, + by a system of canals, and have formed a reservoir of 640 acres + in extent, with an average depth of 30 feet, and thus have given + facilities for irrigating the country round the town. It is + certain to become a great Fruit-growing district, as its soil is + so fully adapted for the purpose. It is much nearer to San + Francisco than Los Angeles, and is nearer also than Fresno and + other districts which have already made themselves a name for + Fruit culture.</p> + + <p>The country around Merced has a natural fall, and is drained + by many creeks, which are dry in summer, but contain more or less + water in winter.</p><br> + <br> + <a name="THE_LANDS_FOR_SALE"></a> + + <h3>THE LANDS FOR SALE.</h3><br> + + <p>Merced is situated in the celebrated San Joaquin Valley + (pronounced San Wharkeen), which is an immense level of fertile + land, the soil generally being of a rich sandy loam, but in some + districts, such as that I am now offering for sale, of a deep + rich black loam of a highly productive nature, in fact, it is the + decomposed vegetation and alluvial deposits of past ages, than + which nothing could be more fertile. We have good evidence that + the land is especially suited for the production of prunes, + apricots, pears, peaches, olives, plums, small Fruit, such as + strawberries, blackberries, sweet and common potatoes, garden + stuff, and alfalfa. Alfalfa (or lucerne) is a great crop in + America in places where there are no old meadow lands for the + cows. The land is, of course, suited for all cereal crops, too. + All the Fruits named can be dried in the sun without artificial + heat.</p> + + <p>The lands are about 160 to 165 feet above the level of the + sea, and, in common with all the country round, they command a + view on the one side of the grand snow-capped Sierra Nevada + Mountains, and on the other of the mountains known as the Coast + Range. Immense flocks of wild geese and ducks (principally + geese), are often on the land. There are also "rabbits" on the + land (so called), but they more resemble hares in their size and + habits and run.</p> + + <p>There are some excellent Fruit orchards and gardens at Merced. + In the grounds around the Court House are some very fine orange + trees, full of fruit, and also in the gardens of private + residents. One gentleman kindly sent a bough of oranges, and + other gentlemen sent other Fruits, which may be seen at our + offices. At the Buhach Colony, near the town of Merced, are + extensive orchards of Californian Fruits. Mr. Atwater's gardens + and orchard, a few miles from the town, are worth inspection. He + has two magnificent olive trees, nine or ten years' old, which + bear heavy crops, and which are used for the production of olive + oil; his vineyard and orange orchard, his lemon and persimmon + trees, all look very prosperous. He would gladly show any settler + how he has cultivated them. He has a corn and stock farm, and has + only gradually cultivated these Fruits, which occupy some eleven + acres.</p><br> + <br> + <a name="PRICE_OF_THE_LAND"></a> + + <h3>PRICE OF THE LAND.</h3><br> + + <p>The prices of the land for sale are 75, and 100, and 150 + dollars per acre, according to position. Two-thirds of the + purchase-money may remain on mortgage as long as the interest is + paid at 8 per cent, per annum, which is the lowest interest + payable in California. The mortgagor is liable to the Government + for the taxes, which amount to 1-1/2 to 2 per cent, per annum, so + that he would really only receive 6 to 6-1/2 per cent, interest. + All mortgages are publicly recorded, and so the property is + vested in the mortgagor till he is paid off, and when that is + done it also is publicly recorded. These taxes embrace all known + to us in England as rates and taxes, except a road tax of 2 + dollars a head per annum, chargeable to every male over + twenty-one years of age. This tax may be paid for in labour on + the road if desired. A free conveyance will be given, but the + cost of recording the transaction in the county office (there is + no stamp duty), about 1-1/2 dollars, must be paid by the + purchaser. The recording of a mortgage would probably be 3-1/4 + dollars because it is longer. The record is a public + acknowledgment of the title of the owner to the land made in the + county books.</p> + + <p>Foreigners can hold freehold property in California, but they + have no right to vote—indeed, they would have no right to + vote until they had resided five years in the country, and had + become naturalized; then a resident has before him the + possibility of becoming Governor of the State to which he + belongs, or, indeed, Secretary of the Interior, which corresponds + with the position of the Premier in England.</p><br> + <br> + <a name="AMERICAN_SURVEYS"></a> + + <h3>AMERICAN SURVEYS.</h3><br> + + <p>According to the American surveys the country is arranged in + squares, as shown on all the maps. A "section" is a square mile, + or 640 acres. A "township" is 36 sections, <i>i.e.,</i> six miles + on each of its four sides.</p> + + <p>A quarter section is 160 acres, and the lands are so arranged + that a roadway is reserved around each quarter section 60 feet + wide, and the land for such roadway is taken from each side, so + that each owner has to contribute 30 feet to such road, and, of + course, he has the benefit of the frontage to it. A 20 acre lot + would be an eighth of a quarter section. On some of the lots for + sale at "British Colony," are one or two houses and some + buildings. These may be purchased thus: One house and buildings, + 1,000 dollars; another house and buildings, 1,000 dollars; + another house and buildings (N.E.), 600 dollars; but if one + purchaser bought four lots of 20 acres, each adjoining so that + one house and buildings should come near the centre, then such + house and buildings would be given in.</p><a name= + "SPECIAL_KNOWLEDGE_OF_FRUIT_CULTURE"></a> + + <h3>SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OF FRUIT CULTURE.</h3> + + <p>Few settlers would have the requisite special knowledge of + Fruit culture without some instruction, and, therefore, the + owners of the land have engaged the services of Professor Eisen, + at a fixed salary, so that all settlers on their lands may have + the benefit of the Professor's instruction, <i>free of + charge</i>. Professor Eisen is well known as a specialist in + horticulture in California. He has just published a book on the + raisin industry in California, which may be seen at our offices. + The culture of grapes for raisins, and plums for prunes, would be + remarkably successful on the lands for sale.</p><a name= + "CANNED_FRUITS"></a> + + <h3>CANNED FRUITS.</h3> + + <p>Wholesale buyers come round the country to buy the Fruit crops + while on the trees. An enormous trade is done in America in + canned Fruits; the hotels, steamers, railway cars, and private + families use them largely at all meals, and America itself seems + to be a sufficient market for ages to come for all the Fruit and + vegetables its State of California can produce.</p><br> + <br> + <a name="ESTIMATES"></a> + + <h3>ESTIMATES.</h3><br> + + <h3>How to start with a capital of 20,000 dols.</h3> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="Addition of investment costs" border="0" + cellpadding="2" class="center"> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>80 acres of land, 12,000 dols., half cost</td> + + <td align="right">6,000</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Trees, such as orange, olive, fruit, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">2,000</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>House and barn</td> + + <td align="right">2,500</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Horses</td> + + <td align="right">400</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Cow</td> + + <td align="right">50</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Poultry</td> + + <td align="right">25</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Furniture, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">600</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Waggon, tools, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">400</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Labour, per year, 3 men, etc., for, 3 years, including + living</td> + + <td align="right">4,000</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Interest on 6,000 dols. at 8%—480 dols. per year, + 3 years</td> + + <td align="right">1,440</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">------</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols. 17,415</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + + <p>Leaving a balance of 2,585 dols. for first payment of land, or + for other improvements and unforeseen expenses.</p> + + <p>Profit the fourth year should be about 4,000 to 5000 dols. at + the lowest.</p><br> + + <h3>How to start with a capital of 10,000 dols., i.e., say + £2,000.</h3> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="Addition of investment costs" border="0" + cellpadding="2" class="center"> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>40 acres of land</td> + + <td align="right">6,000</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>House and barn</td> + + <td align="right">1,200</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Well and pump</td> + + <td align="right">100</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Horses</td> + + <td align="right">200</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Waggon and tools</td> + + <td align="right">350</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Furniture, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">500</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Cow</td> + + <td align="right">50</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Trees, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">1,200</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Seed, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">100</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">----</td> + + <td align="right">9,700</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Living one year, etc.; incidentals</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">300</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">-----</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td>dols.</td> + + <td align="right">10,000</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + + <h4>PROFITS.</h4> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="Addition of profits" border="0" cellpadding="2" + class="center"> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><i>First year</i>.—Land between the trees, + cultivated in potatoes, vegetables, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">500</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Poultry, eggs, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">150</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">---</td> + + <td align="right">650</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td colspan="2" align="center">(Eggs and poultry pay for + groceries. Many families<br> + are doing this now.)</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><i>Second year</i>.—The same as above</td> + + <td align="right">650</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><i>Third year</i>.—The same as above</td> + + <td align="right">650</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Yield from Fruit, 10 dols. per acre</td> + + <td align="right">400</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">----</td> + + <td align="right">1,050</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><i>Fourth year</i>.—The same from poultry, + etc.</td> + + <td align="right">650</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>From Fruit trees, 50 dols. per acre</td> + + <td align="right">2,000</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">----</td> + + <td align="right">2,650</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><i>Fifth year</i>.—The orchard is now in good + bearing, and should pay<br> + from 100 to 250 dols. per acre; say the lowest</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">4,000</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td colspan="2" align="center">(No time to attend to any + but Fruit trees unless a man<br> + is employed, so only the return of Fruit trees is + given).</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><i>Sixth year</i>.—The orchard now pays,<br> + if properly attended to, from 150 to 350 dols. per acre; + say the lowest</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">6,000</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><i>Seventh year</i>.—The orchard pays,<br> + if properly cared for, from 200 to 450 dols. per acre; say + the lowest</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">8,000</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + + <p>This clear after expenses have been deducted. The farmer can + take care of 20 acres himself, with occasional help. With 40 + acres he requires one man more, his son or hired help.</p> + + <p>The first three years he will only make his living ordinarily + so; after that time he will make money. Poultry, and vegetables + should, during the first year pay for all expenses at least, and + in many instances leave a large surplus. All this depends upon + the capacity of the settler. With good land such as this 100 + dollars or more could be made from vegetables the first season by + a capable and experienced man. At least it has been done + repeatedly.</p> + + <p>If poultry is properly cared for, a family will make its + living by selling eggs and chickens until the trees come in + bearing.</p><br> + + <h3>How to start with a capital of 8,000 dols., i.e., say + £1,600.</h3> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="Addition of profits" border="0" cellpadding="2" + class="center"> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Land, 40 acres, 6,000 dols., half cost</td> + + <td align="right">3,000</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>House and barn</td> + + <td align="right">1,500</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Horses</td> + + <td align="right">200</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Cows and chickens</td> + + <td align="right">75</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Waggon and tools</td> + + <td align="right">200</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Sundries, tools, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">400</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Trees, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">1,200</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Well and pump</td> + + <td align="right">100</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Or windmill and tank</td> + + <td align="right">250</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Interest on 3,000 dols. at 8 % for three years</td> + + <td align="right">780</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Sundries for living, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">295</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">-----</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td align="right">dols.</td> + + <td align="right">8,000</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div><br> + + <p>The fourth and fifth years there should be a gross profit of + at least 2,650 dols. a year, enough to pay for the balance due on + land.</p><br> + <br> + + <h3>How to start with, a capital of 5,000 dols., i.e., say + £1,000.</h3><br> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="Addition of costs" border="0" cellpadding="2" + class="center"> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Land, 20 acres, 3,000 dols., half cost</td> + + <td align="right">1,500</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>House and barn, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">1,000</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Trees</td> + + <td align="right">600</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Horses</td> + + <td align="right">200</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Cow</td> + + <td align="right">50</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Household furniture</td> + + <td align="right">100</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Waggon and tools</td> + + <td align="right">200</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Well and pump</td> + + <td align="right">100</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td colspan="2" align="center">(If tank and windmill + required, from 250 dols. upwards extra).</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Seed, etc.</td> + + <td align="right">50</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Sundry expenses and chickens</td> + + <td align="right">300</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Interest for three years on balance of land<br> + at 8%</td> + + <td align="right">360</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Capital on hand to pay for part of the land</td> + + <td align="right">840</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">-----</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td align="right">dols.</td> + + <td align="right">5,300</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + + <h3>What some people have started with, and come out all + right.</h3><br> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="Addition of costs" border="0" cellpadding="2" + class="center"> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Land, 3,000 dols., cash, balance credit</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">1000</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>House and barn</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">500</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Horses</td> + + <td align="right">150</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Cow</td> + + <td align="right">50</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Poultry</td> + + <td align="right">25</td> + + <td> </td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">___</td> + + <td align="right">225</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Provisions, sundries, etc.</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">100</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Furniture and tools</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">150</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Sundry expenses</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">100</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Waggon and horses</td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">150</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">_____</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">dols.</td> + + <td align="right">2,225</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + + <p>But ordinarily, this is too little, as the planting of the + land cannot be proceeded with at once, and work must be procured + among the neighbours, etc.</p> + + <p>The estimates, were furnished us by Professor Eisen, who + remarked that, probably, in giving estimates all persons would + vary somewhat, but these, and other estimates which he gave, are + really more than estimates, because they are the actual results + of past experiences.</p><br> + <br> + <a name="PROFESSOR_EISEN'S_OPINION"></a> + + <h3>PROFESSOR EISEN'S OPINION.</h3> + + <h5>Received January 20th, 1891.</h5><br> + + <p>Professor Eisen writes:—"I am of opinion that these + lands (British Colony, Merced) are amongst the very best in the + State for raisins; still, as I explained to you, I do not advise + any one to put his whole interest in the raisin industry, as the + market for this Fruit is limited. For other dried fruit, + especially for prunes (French plums), apricots, peaches, and + nectarines, the market is practically unlimited, and as our + population increases yearly 1,500,000 people, it will be seen + that our markets must extend as well, even after we have driven + all foreign Fruits out of our home markets. As regards the + adaptability of the land of British Colony for various Fruits, I + can say that they are especially adapted to the prune (French + plums) and peaches for drying and canning, olives for olive oil + and pickling; also for oranges. You can see how the orange + thrives in the city of Merced and surroundings, or in localities + exactly like those of British Colony lands, and there can be no + doubt that oranges and lemons will prove very profitable in + British Colony. Olives will especially do well there. The British + Colony lands I consider as exceptionally rich and fertile, and + there are few, if any, equal to them in this State or anywhere + else."</p><br> + <a name="PRICE_TREES"></a> + + <h3>PRICE OF FRUIT TREES.</h3><br> + + <p>The prices in California of young Fruit trees for planting, + for the season 1890-91, are given as follows:—</p> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="Prices of trees" border="0" cellpadding="2"> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="left" colspan="2">dols.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Prunes (like French plums)</td> + + <td>25 to 30</td> + + <td>per 100</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Plums and other prunes</td> + + <td>15</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Apricots</td> + + <td>20</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Peaches, from</td> + + <td>15 to 17.50</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Olives (layers)</td> + + <td>20</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Olives, grafted</td> + + <td>40 to 60</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Pears</td> + + <td>18</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Oranges, best kinds</td> + + <td>70 to 100</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Shade trees</td> + + <td>50</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Grape-vines (raisins)</td> + + <td>12</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Persimmons</td> + + <td>15</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Walnuts, from</td> + + <td>15 to 35</td> + + <td align="center">"</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div><a name="WHEN_FRUIT_TREES_PAY"></a> + + <h3>WHEN FRUIT TREES PAY.</h3> + + <p>The Fruit trees enumerated above would begin to bear the + second year, but only the fourth year would they bear any + considerable amount; the fifth and sixth years they would come + into good bearing, and should then yield a profit of, say, from + 100 to 350 dollars per acre. At seven years the orchard should be + in full bearing, and never yield less than 150, and, possibly, + 450 dollars per acre. Instances have been known when prunes, + peaches, and pears have produced from 750 to 1,500 dollars per + acre clear profit.</p><a name="POSITION_OF_A_SETTLER"></a> + + <h3>POSITION OF A SETTLER.</h3> + + <p>The position of a settler, then, is that for the first three + years he cannot depend upon his crop of Fruit to maintain him, + but must either have sufficient capital to support him during + that time, or else earn his living in some other way. To be idle, + and live on capital, would not, of course, suit any man who meant + to succeed, and therefore he would fill up his time in + cultivating garden and poultry produce, for which there is always + a demand, or in getting some occasional employment.</p><a name= + "COST_OF_BOARD_AND_LODGING"></a> + + <h3>COST OF BOARD AND LODGING.</h3> + + <p>At Merced railway station is a very large hotel, and the cost + of board and lodging for emigrants is only 25 dollars, + <i>i.e.,</i> say, £5 per month; to usual visitors it is 60 + dollars a month.</p><a name="RAISIN_CULTURE"></a> + + <h3>RAISIN CULTURE.</h3> + + <p>The <i>Pacific Rural Press</i>, referring to the raisin + vineyards in the San Joaquin Valley, California, + states:—</p> + + <p>"What is especially interesting to the home-seeker in + connection with this information, is the fact that everyone of + these vineyardists is prosperous. No other horticultural industry + is so profitable as the culture of the raisin grape, in no other + is the work so pleasant, and no other yields a return so + quickly."</p> + + <p>An acre of Muscat vines in full bearing will yield from two to + three tons of grapes on good heavy soil. At 5-1/2 cents a pound + in the sweat-box, this means from 225 to 325 dollars per acre, + gross. Numerous instances are known, however, where the yield of + an acre of Muscats amounted to as much as 450 dollars, this being + the result of careful cultivation and favourable circumstances. + Some grapes are borne on the vines when they are one-year old, + while two-year old's have been known to bear a crop. At three + years the vines pay the expenses and interest on the money + invested, and at four years from planting they bring the first + large paying crop.</p> + + <p>The <i>Merced Argus</i> says of raisin culture:—</p> + + <p>"One of the great charms of raisin culture is the extreme + simplicity of its operations. WHAT CAN BE MORE SIMPLE than to + pick a bunch of Muscat grapes from the vine, and lay it on the + ground. In six days the bunch of grapes, without being meanwhile + touched, has assumed the appearance of a bunch of raisins, and + has flattened out as if it had been pressed. It is then carefully + turned over, so as to expose the underside to the direct action + of the sun. In eight days more it is a perfect bunch of raisins, + and no act of man can improve it even in appearance. All the + operations of fancy packing are so simple, that a child may learn + them in a day. A single acre of raisin vines in a Merced Colony + lot means handfuls of bright, golden double eagles to the + bright-eyed children of the Merced farmer in the near future.</p> + + <p><i>Harper's Magazine</i> for January, 1891, contains an + article on California, which all persons interested in that State + would do well to read. I extract a few + statements:—</p><a name="IRRIGATION"></a> + + <h3>IRRIGATION.</h3> + + <p>"A piece of land at Riverside, below the flow of water, was + worth 300 dollars an acre. Contiguous to it was another piece not + irrigated, which would not sell for 50 dollars an acre. By + bringing water to it, it would quickly sell for 300 dollars, thus + adding 250 dollars to its value. As the estimate at River side is + that one inch of water will irrigate five acres of Fruit land, + five times 250 dollars would be 1,250 dollars per inch, at which + price water for irrigation has actually been sold at + Riverside.</p> + + <p>"The standard of measurement of water in Southern California + is the miner's inch under four inches pressure, or the amount + that will flow through an inch-square opening under a pressure of + four inches measured from the surface of the water in the conduit + to the centre of the opening through which it flows. This is nine + gallons a minute, or, as it is figured, 1,728 cubic feet or + 12,960 gallons in 24 hours, and 1/50 of a cubic foot a second. + This flow would cover 10 acres about 18 inches deep in a year; + that is, it would give the land the equivalent of 18 inches of + rain, distributed exactly when and where it was needed, none + being wasted, and more serviceable than 50 inches of rainfall as + it generally comes. This, with the natural rainfall, is + sufficient for citrous Fruits and for corn and alfalfa, in soil + not too sandy, and it is too much for grapes and all deciduous + fruits.</p> + + <p>"But irrigation, in order to be successful, must be + intelligently applied. In unskilful hands it may work more damage + than benefit. Mr. Theodore S. Van Dyke, who may always be quoted + with confidence, says that the ground should never he flooded; + that water must not touch the plant or tree, or come near enough + to make the soil bake around it; and that it should be let in in + small streams for two or three days, and not in large streams for + a few hours.</p><a name="OLIVE_CULTURE"></a> + + <h3>OLIVE CULTURE.</h3> + + <p>"The growth of the olive is to be, it seems to me, one of the + leading and most permanent industries of Southern California. It + will give us, what it is nearly impossible to buy now, pure olive + oil, in place of the cotton seed and lard mixture in general use. + It is a most wholesome and palatable article of food. Those whose + chief experience of the olive is the large, coarse, and not + agreeable Spanish variety, used only as an appetizer, know little + of the value of the best varieties as food, nutritious as meat, + and always delicious. Good bread and a dish of pickled olives + make an excellent meal. A mature olive grove in good bearing is a + fortune. I feel sure that within 25 years this will be one of the + most profitable industries of California, and that the demand for + pure oil and edible fruit in the United States will drive out the + adulterated and inferior present commercial products."</p><br> + <a name="SPECIAL_OPENINGS"></a> + + <h3>SPECIAL OPENINGS.</h3><br> + + <p>There are now at Merced special openings for a nurseryman and + a dairyman; the latter would be by growing alfalfa (lucerne) and + raising poultry for at present the Merced people often have to + get poultry and eggs from San Francisco, 150 miles + off.</p><a name="POTATO_GROWING"></a> + + <h3>POTATO GROWING.</h3> + + <p>A settler might make a really good return out of potatoes + while his Fruit trees are maturing, which is a food more in use + in America than in England. Potatoes are not only served at + luncheon and dinner, but also at breakfast everywhere, and, if + every settler planted his land with potatoes, there would be no + fear of overstocking the market.</p> + + <p>Mr. Eisen states that potatoes yield from 50 to 400 sacks to + the acre, and sell at prices varying from 90 cents to 2 dollars + per sack. If only 50 sacks were grown to the acre, it would show + a scarce year, when prices would range higher, but the crop is + never a failure in California. Two crops can be grown in a year; + the first crop is planted at the end of February, if warm, or + else in March, or indeed any time till the middle of May, and dug + three months after; the second crop is planted in August or + September, and dug three months after.</p> + + <p>To put in the potatoes a settler would need the help of a + labourer, to whom he would have to give one dollar per day and + his board, or, if the labourer be a Chinaman, one dollar and a + quarter per day without his board.</p> + + <p>If the potatoes occupied ten acres, and they produced say 200 + sacks to the acre, and fetched 1 dollar per sack, that would + yield 2,000 dollars, or for the two crops 4,000 dollars, or, say, + £800. This sounds a large sum, but the land is exceedingly + rich, as may be seen from the samples I have brought back, and + large results may be expected from it if properly worked, for, of + course, in any undertaking the result depends upon the way it is + worked.</p> + + <p>The following paragraph is from an important paper or + periodical of 20 pages, known as the <i>Pacific Rural Press</i>, + of December 13th, 1890, and although the crop it mentions was not + grown in California, it shows at least what can be done on good + ground:—</p> + + <p>"Nearly 1,000 bushels of potatoes, or, to be exact, 974 + bushels and 48 pounds, have been grown on one acre of land in + Johnson County, Wyoming, the past season. This crop wins the + first prize of several hundred dollars offered by the <i>American + Agriculturist</i> for the largest yield of potatoes on one exact + acre. It was grown on virgin soil without manure or fertilizer, + but the land was rich in potash, and the copious irrigation was + of water also rich in saline material. There were 22,800 hills on + one acre, and 1,560 pounds of sets, containing one, two, and + three eyes, were planted of the early Vermont and Manhattan + varieties. The profit on the crop on this first prize acre was + 714 dollars, exclusive of 500 dollars in prizes."</p> + + <p>Thus, this one acre would have produced £142 worth of + potatoes. I do not mention it as an example of what a settler may + or may not do at Merced, but as the land at Merced which I am + offering for sale is of the richest quality, rich results may + certainly be expected.</p><a name="COST_GOODS"></a> + + <h3>COST OF GOODS, &c., AT MERCED.</h3><span style= + "margin-left: 8em;">per lb.</span><br> + Beef (to boil), 8 to 10 cents<br> + Beef (steak), 10 cents<br> + Beef (shoulder), 10 cents<br> + Beef (choice), 12-1/2 cents<br> + Beef (porterhouse and tenderloin), 15 cents<br> + Veal, 10 to 15 cents<br> + Mutton, 10 to 12-1/2 cents<br> + Pork, 10 to 12-1/2 cents<br> + Sausages, 12-1/ to 15 cents<br> + Corned beef, 8 to 10 cents<br> + Bacon, 12-1/2 cents<br> + Hams, 15 cents<br> + Tongues, 10 cents<br> + Flour, 4-1/2 to 5 dollars for a barrel weighing 200 lbs.<br> + Tea, 25 cents to 1 dollar<br> + Coffee, 24 to 45 cents<br> + Candles, 15 to 20 cents<br> + Chocolate, 25 cents<br> + Cod fish, 10 cents<br> + Corn meal, 3 to 4 cents<br> + Cocoa, 50 to 60 cents<br> + Cracker biscuits, 8 to 10 cents<br> + Graham flour, 3 to 5 cents<br> + Macaroni, 15 cents<br> + Oatmeal, 5 cents<br> + Rolled oats, 6 cents<br> + Rice, 5-1/2 to 8 cents<br> + Salt, 1 to 2 cents<br> + Soda, 4 cents<br> + Starch, 10 cents<br> + Sugar, 7 to 8 cents<br> + Sugar (house), 6-1/2 to 7-1/2 cents<br> + Butter, 25 to 40 cents<br> + Eggs, 15 to 40 cents per dozen, according to season<br> + Coal oil, 1.40 per 5-gallon can.<br> + + <p>One of my clients recently visited England with his family, + and says that one can live cheaper at Merced than in England.</p> + + <p>The cost of a twelve-roomed house is 3,000 to 4,000 dollars, + according to finish, <i>i.e.,</i> from £600 to £800. + Most of the houses are built of wood, and such a house could be + built in twenty to thirty days, if necessary.</p> + + <p>Stabling for two horses, with room for buggy, wagon, harness, + and hay, would cost 250 dollars or £50.</p> + + <p>A ten-roomed house would cost from 2,500 to 3,500 dollars, + according to finish.</p> + + <p>An eight-roomed house would cost from 2,000 to 2,500 + dollars.</p> + + <p>A six roomed house would cost about 2,000 dollars.</p> + + <p>A four-roomed house would cost about 1,200 dollars.</p> + + <p>Live poultry cost about 6 dollars per dozen.</p> + + <p>Cows, 25 to 50 dollars each. Horses, 75 to 150 dollars each. + Sheep, 3 to 4 dollars each.</p> + + <p>Cultivators cost from 7 to 15 dollars each. Ploughs and + harrows about the same price. A riding cultivator, 45 to 50 + dollars. Pruning shears, 3 dollars.</p> + + <p>Day labour costs 1 dollar per day and board; but, in harvest + time, 1-1/2 dollar per day and board.</p> + + <p>Carpenters, 2-1/2 dollars per day, sometimes with and + sometimes without board.</p> + + <p>Fencing costs 500 dollars (<i>i.e</i>., £100) a mile. To + fence a 20-acre lot would cost 350 dollars (<i>i.e</i>., + £70); but if the eight forming the quarter section joined + together, it would cost each about 130 dollars (<i>i.e</i>., + £26). The fence would be a 6-inch board at bottom, then 30 + inches of wire netting to keep out rabbits, then another 6-inch + board and a barbed wire at top.</p> + + <p>Firewood costs 6 to 7 dollars a cord of hard wood, or 5 to 6 + dollars of willow wood; a cord of wood is 4-ft. by 4-ft. by + 8-ft.</p><a name="TAKE_CLOTHING_AND_BRIC-A-BRAC"></a> + + <h4>TAKE CLOTHING AND BRIC-A-BRAC.</h4> + + <p>All kinds of clothing are dear. A good suit would cost + £7 to £8, or, if ready made, £5. Settlers + should therefore take with them plenty of clothes, sufficient, + say, to last for five years, including boots, blankets, linen, + etc.; also <i>bric-a-brac,</i> and anything to add cheerfulness + and refinement to the home, but they should not take furniture + nor animals. Guns they might take, but not tools nor + implements.</p><a name="COST_JOURNEY"></a> + + <h4>SEA PASSAGE FROM ENGLAND.</h4> + + <p>Steamships run from Liverpool and Southampton at the following + rates:—</p> + + <p>1.—Cunard Company's Line. Liverpool to New York. During + the summer months—</p> + + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="2"> + <tr> + <td align="center">1st class.</td> + + <td align="center">2nd class.</td> + + <td align="center">3rd class.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td align="center">From £12 12s. to £26 5s.</td> + + <td align="center">£7</td> + + <td align="center">£4.</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <p>During the winter months—</p> + + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="2"> + <tr> + <td align="center">1st class.</td> + + <td align="center">2nd class.</td> + + <td align="center">3rd class.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td align="center">£10 10s. to £25</td> + + <td align="center">£7</td> + + <td align="center">£4.</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <p>The third-class passengers are provided with a free ticket + from London to Liverpool.</p> + + <p>2.—Inman Line. Liverpool to New York—</p> + + <table summary="" border="0"> + <tr> + <td>First class fares from £10 10s. to £25.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Second class fares from £6 10s. to £7 + 7s.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Third class fares £4.</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <p>The third class includes a free ticket from London to + Liverpool.</p> + + <p>3.—The "White Star" Line. Liverpool to New York</p> + + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="4"> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="center">1st class.</td> + + <td align="center">2nd class.</td> + + <td align="center">3rd class.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Summer season—</td> + + <td align="center">£15 to £28</td> + + <td align="center">£7 to £9</td> + + <td align="center">£4.</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Winter season—</td> + + <td align="center">£10 10s. to £18</td> + + <td align="center">£6 10s. to £8</td> + + <td align="center">£4.</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <p>The third class passengers are provided with a free ticket + from London to Liverpool, and free tickets, if required, from New + York to Boston or Philadelphia.</p> + + <p>4.—North German Lloyd Company. Southampton to New + York—</p> + + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="8"> + <tr> + <td>First class, £14 to £23.</td> + + <td>Second class, £10.</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <p>5.—The American Line. Liverpool to New York—</p> + + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="8"> + <tr> + <td>Second class, £6.</td> + + <td>Third class, £3 16s.</td> + </tr> + </table> + + <p>Steamers leave Southampton, Liverpool, Glasgow, and + Queenstown, thus being convenient respectively for passengers + from the north or south of England, from Scotland, or from + Ireland.</p> + + <p>Steamers run from this country to New York, Philadelphia, + Boston, or Baltimore, but New York is the best port for + Merced.</p><br> + + <h3>THE LAND JOURNEY FROM NEW YORK TO MERCED, CALIFORNIA.</h3> + + <h5><i>Copy of Letter from the Southern Pacific Railroad + Company.</i></h5> + + <p>"Our fares from New York to Merced, <i>viâ</i> New + Orleans, are:—1st class, unlimited, £19 19s. 0d.; + limited, £18 4s. 7d.; 2nd class, £12 8s. 4d.; 3rd + class, £12 2s. 9d., all rail; £11 1s. 11d. by steamer + to New Orleans, and thence rail, food, and sleeping berth on + steamer included. The charges for sleeping car berths + are:—1st class, 22 dollars; 2nd class from New Orleans, 3 + dollars. There are no 2nd class sleepers to New Orleans, except + on the fortnightly excursion trains from Cincinnati, leaving that + city January 7th and 21st, February 4th and 18th; March 4th and + 18th; April 8th and 22nd, etc. The charge from Cincinnati is 4 + dollars 50 cents. Third class passengers can travel in 2nd class + sleepers upon payment of the usual charge. The fares from New + Orleans to principal Californian points, including Merced, + are:—1st class, unlimited, £14. 1s. 3d.; 2nd class, + £8. 17s. 1d.; 3rd class, none. Sleeping cars—1st + class, 13 dollars; 2nd class, 3 dollars.</p> + + <p>Tickets may be obtained through Messrs, DOWSETT and Co., 3, + Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, direct from Liverpool to + California, or any other State <i>en route</i>.</p><br> + <a name="ANALYSIS"></a> + + <h3>ANALYSIS OF MERCED SOILS.</h3> + + <p>Having fitted up a portion of one of my offices with all the + requisites for carrying out quantitative analyses of surface + soils, I requested Professor Lobley, F.G.S., etc., to analyse the + four samples of soils which I brought with me from Merced.</p> + + <p>A general analysis of four samples of soil from Merced, + California, has given the following results:—</p> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="4" class="center"> + <tr> + <td align="center" colspan="2"><b>SAMPLE A.</b></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Organic matter (Humus)</td> + + <td align="right">5.5</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Soluble inorganic matter</td> + + <td align="right">11.75</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Insoluble silica and silicates</td> + + <td align="right">82.75</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">--------</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">100.00</td> + </tr> + </table><br> + + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="4"> + <tr> + <td align="center" colspan="2"><b>SAMPLE B.</b></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Organic matter (Humus)</td> + + <td align="right">4.25</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Soluble inorganic matter</td> + + <td align="right">14.45</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Insoluble silica and silicates</td> + + <td align="right">81.30</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">--------</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">100.00</td> + </tr> + </table><br> + + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="4"> + <tr> + <td align="center" colspan="2"><b>SAMPLE C.</b></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Organic matter (Humus)</td> + + <td align="right">5.25</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Soluble inorganic matter</td> + + <td align="right">16.75</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Insoluble silica and silicates</td> + + <td align="right">78.00</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">--------</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">100.00</td> + </tr> + </table><br> + + <table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="4"> + <tr> + <td align="center" colspan="2"><b>SAMPLE D.</b></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Organic matter (Humus)</td> + + <td align="right">3.5</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Soluble inorganic matter</td> + + <td align="right">12.0</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>Insoluble silica and silicates</td> + + <td align="right">84.5</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">--------</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td align="right">100.00</td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + + <p>The organic matter is available for plant growth.</p> + + <p>The inorganic matter, soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid, is + (with the exception of the alumina it may contain) composed of + fertilising material. The substances found in the soluble + inorganic matter of soils are lime, magnesia, alumina, silica, + phosphoric acid, oxide of iron, oxide of manganese, potash and + soda. The insoluble mineral matter is nearly all silica. There is + very little clayey matter in any of the soils—not more than + about five per cent. All the soils are remarkably free from + stones or pebbles, or even coarse sand.</p> + + <p>From the above it will be seen that these soils, while + possessing a large amount of matter available for plant growth, + are exceedingly friable, and would be very easily worked. They + would absorb heat quickly, and from their porosity would require + little drainage, and so would be both warm and dry soils, and + form fertile land suitable for almost all kinds of agricultural + and horticultural produce.</p><a name="POSITION"></a> + + <h4>THE POSITION OF MY CLIENTS, THE VENDORS.</h4> + + <p>My clients, the owners of the land called "British Colony," at + Merced, are well-known persons—well-known as men of great + wealth, and as gentlemen of undoubted integrity, the Hon. Charles + Crocker and Mr. C.H. Huffman, whose enterprises in railway, + canal, and other public works, have been of gigantic + proportions.</p> + + <p>I have every confidence myself in dealing with these + gentlemen, and I submit that my friends, clients, and the general + public, who may be willing to take up any of this "British + Colony" land at Merced, may have full confidence, too, that they + will at least be treated justly, and more than that is not + expected from strangers in business; but I believe that I might + add they would be treated liberally if necessity arose, and I + have ground for this statement from what I have heard of their + treatment of other persons who have settled in one of their other + "Colonies."</p> + + <h4>CALIFORNIA, MERCED.</h4> + + <p>I have for sale besides the estate designated "British + Colony," a tract of land belonging to a well-known merchant in + the City of London, who has owned it for 13 years. It comprises + 5,084 acres, and has a registered Government title. Price 30 + dollars per acre, and 7 years' credit would be given if 20 per + cent. is paid down. Part of it is well suited for Fruit growing, + but as yet the water from the canals belonging to my other + clients has not been taken to it. It has, however, some creeks + upon it, but they are frequently dry. The land is of a rolling + prairie character, and is now let at a nominal rent of 25 cents + per acre for sheep farming. The soil is varied; some of it is a + good loam, some of a clayey nature, and some stony; there is a + shepherd's house, with barn and yard. The taxes upon it are about + 15 to 20 cents per acre. One half of the land would be sold + separately, but it must be the half farthest from the side where + the canals are. The situation is an attractive one as the + undulations really form the first foothills of the Sierra Nevada + Mountains, of which there is a grand view. This land is well + worth buying, as when water is obtained, the price will then be + increased to that asked for other irrigated Fruit lands.</p> + + <p>A plan may be seen at my offices, 3, Lincoln's Inn Fields, + London.</p> + + <h5>FINIS.</h5> + <hr style="width: 85%;"> + + <p class="center"><font size="-1">London:<br> + Printed by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, Gate Street, Lincoln's + Inn Fields.</font></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + <a name="TO_OWNERS_OF_LANDS_AND_HOUSES"></a> + + <h2>TO OWNERS OF LANDS AND HOUSES.</h2> + <hr style="width: 30%;"> + + <h3>REQUIRED TO PURCHASE.</h3> + + <p><i>Messrs. Dowsett & Co. have applications for Landed + Estates, Country Houses, Town Houses, Farms, Villa Farms, + Building Lands, Cheap Sections of Land for the People, Ground + Rents, Colonial Lands, and General Land and House + Investments.</i></p> + + <p><i>Messrs. Dowsett & Co, invite owners wishing to sell, + and who have not yet employed an Agent, to employ them: they do + not appreciate instructions which are sent to several Agents, but + they are prepared to give careful, intelligent, personal + attention to the Sale of Property which is placed in their hands. + They prefer giving personal attention to a few properties rather + than having on their books a mass of particulars of which they + have no personal knowledge, and which are to be found in many + Agents' lists.</i></p> + + <p><i>Messrs. Dowsett & Co., personally inspect Properties + for Sale, because a personal knowledge greatly facilitates + success, and for this they make a nominal charge of sixpence per + mile; they then prepare careful particulars so as to introduce + the matter advantageously to the public.</i></p> + + <p><i>Owners of Property may obtain a printed statement of + charges for Valuing, or for Selling by Auction, or privately, all + kinds of Real and Personal Estate, Furniture Live and Dead Stock, + Stocks-in-Trade, Timber, Growing Crops, etc.</i></p> + + <p><i>Messrs. Dowsett & Co. are prepared to make Geological + Reports of Soils and Minerals, and give Quantitative Analyses of + Soils. They are assisted, when special needs require, by experts + in Agricultural and Architectural Science, and also in every + branch of professional and commercial enterprise.</i></p> + + <p><i>Messrs. Dowsett & Co., undertake any branch of these + varied services in London or any part of England, Scotland, + Ireland, the Colonies, America, or other Countries, and + personally visit other countries on agreed terms.</i></p> + + <p><i>Messrs. Dowsett & Co, Auctioneers, Surveyors, Valuers, + Estate Agents, etc., 3, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.</i></p> + <hr style="width: 30%;"> + + <h3>LANDS AND RESIDENCES FOR SALE.</h3> + + <p><i>Country Houses, Town Houses, Landed Estates, Farms, + Building Lands, Ground Rents, and Investments generally in Lands + and Houses, See "The Land Roll," which for one penny may be + obtained of Messrs, Dowsett & Co., 3, Lincoln's Inn Fields, + London.</i></p> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12022 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/12022-h/images/map.gif b/12022-h/images/map.gif Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e6efc3 --- /dev/null +++ b/12022-h/images/map.gif |
