CALIFORNIA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1946, 21 September 1889, Page 3

CALIFORNIA.

By the San Francisco Mail, which reached here last Tuesday, we received a letter from Mr Forbes K. Gray, who left Temuka some months ago. He speaks enthusiastically of California ; hia language sometimes savors of exaggeration as he compares the enterprise and energies of America with the puny efforts put forth in this colony. Amongst those to whom he says he owes special thanks is the Rev. Father Fauvel. When leaving Temuka he took wilh him a letter of recommendation from Father Fauvel, and this he presented to JuJge Gaffey, of Wataonville, who is a Romaa Catholic, and the most influential man in the place. Gaffey," he says, "is very kind to me, so it will be my own fault if 1 do not &et on when I have such a powerful friend at my back." He next expressed his determination to succeed, and says he feels all his energies called into action in sympathy with his surroundings, and that it is the only place for a young man who is willing to work. After referring t» some other matters he goes on to say ; —" I am located in Santa Cruz County, in the city of Wataonville, the natural centre of the Pajaro Valley, which is situated about 100 miles Bouth of San Francisco, on the main line of the South Pacific railroad. This noted and well-known valley in the easterly section of the county, and has an area of over 55,000 acres, which is all cut up into comparatively small farms or ranches, which range from 10 acres up to 500 acres, and is all under cultivation, yielding rich returns to the farmers in the shape of all varieties of oereala—citrous and decidous fruits and sugar beets. The area of this " Garden of Eden " is 13 miles from north to south, and 9 miles east to west. It is bounded or encircled by the foothills of the Pacific Coast Range. The town itself is the railroad centre of this garden spot, and around it are clustered innumerable orchards and farms, and one man has a strawberry farm of 235 acres, which is all planted with etrawberries. Of course it having good railroad facilities its equipments for the transaction of general business, no less than its natural advantages, have made it the commercial centre of this very beautiful valley. lam told by old residents that from an insignificant little village of a score of houses and a few hundred inhabitants its area has steadily extended, until to-day it is the second town in size in Santa Cruz County. Owing to the business advantages of the town and surrounding district the people are flocking in here steadily every day from all parts of the Union, and making themselves comfortable homes. A year ago, I was told, the population was about 2000 ; it is now quite safe to estimate the present population in round numbers at 3000, with a; marked and steady increase. Situated in the heart of the Pajaro Valley, on the river of the same name, and is only five miles from the Bay of Monterey (the great sea- ( side resort), Watsonville no doubt holds a commanding position frem a business point of view. It is really one of the moat prosperous towns in the State, and in every direction you go there are marks of enterprise and progress, and for climate it eannot be surpassed, it being genial and healthy every way you take it. There is no doubt I have located myself in the right spot. The substantial buildings, fine broad streets, thriving industries, are but a few of the outward signs that indicate a bright future, and an l era of prosperity for their very fine town. Business is extremely active, and competition, which is the life of trade, is also very brisk. There are six churches supported in the city, viz.: the Catholic, Danish, Episcopalian, Pre?byteriaa, Methodist, and Wesleyan, and the membership and general attendance is large. There are two very fine schoolhouses, which are pictures of architecture. They are governed by a Board of Trustees, elected by the people. The scenery is so lovely tbat my pen could not do justice to it. The magnificent redwood trees are a sight in themselves: they put to Bhame the ever-majestic English oak. The green gulcheßand long cauyons are indescribable, all ef which can be seen by the naked eye frem the town, and adds to the charm and beauty of the place. Now a little about the industries which are developed here, of which there are quite a number, consisting of surgar factory, lumber mills, canneries, and paper mills. The far away and most important of any industry which has ever been started in this State of California i 3 the Western Sugar Beet Factory, the property of Mr Claus Spreckles. This factory was built just 18 months ago, and is practically in its infancy. It is an immense building three storeys high, and coat over 75,000d015, and employs hundreds of men, whose wages are exceedingly remunerj ative, squalling from 2dola to 3tdols and 4dols per day. This valley was chosen by Mr Spreckles on account of its several advantages, chiefly that of the richness and fertility of soil. The first year the farmers grew beet the aropa were not very successful, on account of their not having any experience in this new departure. It frightened a few of them, and they did not sow enough this year to keep the factory going the whole year; but those lucky ones who tried it again have come put right. As as example, which was proved here the other day, a farmer who had 100 acres in wheat and 10 acres in sugar beet foand t« his suprise, when

working it out, that he had make exactly 1400dols more out of his beet than his whole 100 acres of wheat. This seems incredible, but nevertheless it is perfectly true. This factory has a capacity of working up about 5000 acres of beet ever year, and as that area of ground cannot be got in the Pajaro for a few years yet, the farsighted Judge Gaffey, the leading Seal Estate Agent in this county, came to the rescue of the factory by leasing 2000 acres of the celebrated Molera Tract, at Castrovilie, a few wiles south of the faptory. The Judge has cut this celebrated tract up into 10, 20, and 40 acre blocks for

leasing purposes, and it is being eagerly rashed for tht imall farmers, and there is no doubt will prove a little gold mine for them. I and my friend Mr Gojl have taken up a block of 40 acres each of it, and to all appearances are going to do well out of it. As an instance of the productiveness of the land, a farmer had in 10 acres of potatoes, which yielded him 21 tons to the acre. The wheat crops

would make the " New Zealand cockatoo J' go into raptures of delight. I passed through a field of wheat the other day which had to be cut with a tilter ; they tried a sslf-binder on it, and it couldn't cut it or elevate it. The sheaves were heavy and well headed, and it is estimated

to yield over 80 bushels to the acre. A man with Bmull capital coming here has splendid inducements. The production of sugar beet is a source of wealth in itself; the price for them does not vary like wheat or oats, and a man knows exactly what he is doing on account of the price being fixed. The lumber mills also employ a great deal of labor, and tends to make the town go ahead. A man can build a' nice cottage here for about half as much as you can in New Zealand, on account af the timber being so oheap. Altogether I am sure I have struck a good country, and one of the beat places in it. He adds also that if any New Zealander desires information with regard to the country he will be most happy to give it.