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fi Arnold V. Stubenraill^ G R/Ct/L TO
CALIFORNIA^:- ^
^^i'^OHNlA
ISSUED BY THE
Immigration Association
OF CALIFORNIA,
Office, Room 20, No. lO California Street, San Francisco.
r-UBLISICEX) BTT THE
CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY
FOR THE
Immigration Association ^.California.
Pan j^
RANCISCO.
"^i— - —- — — — — ^^®
Winterburn 6c Co. Printers, S. F,
H®^ SPECIAL NOTICE.-^ir
To meet the growing demand of Eastern aud European people, for cor- rect and reliable information regarding the Pacific States, the Agency of the Chi- cago and North Western Railway at San Francisco will publish from time to time " Pamphlets" giving statistics, correct data written by parties thoroughly posted, which will be a guarantee of their reliability. Copies can be obtained from all Agents of the Chicago and North- Western Railway everywhere :
LONDON, ENGLAND. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.
44!) Stfoiifl, 3 Adelaide Place. Office 35 Chapel Walk.
BOSTON, NEW YORK, ,', CHICAGO,
5 Stnte Street. 4 15 Broadway. *~ 60 & 62 Clark Street.
It is hoped that those who are deeply interested in the development of the Western States, will aid, and appreciate the labor and expense incurred by the Rail- way Company in these publications, by extending their patronage, and advising their friends when traveling to patronize the
CHICAGO AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY,
The Short Line between Omaha, (Council Bluffs) & Chicago.
ITS TRACK AND EQUIPMENT THE VERY BEST.
-''-*^^ --"-. KUNNINO THE CELEBEATED
Pullman's Palatial Sleeping Cars
AND THE
Innperial Palace Dining Cars.
which are used exclusively over this line between
COUNCIL BLUFFS, (OMAHA) AND CHICAGO,
In direct Connection with all the
E.ASTERN TRUNK LINES.
The General- A-gerit-'i-br the Pacihc Coast, J. MEREDITH DA VIES, P. 0. Address, 1887, Residence, Lick House or office at Overland Ticket Office, Oakland Ferry, will receive and appreciate any and all information regarding the Pacific Coast; he will gladly answer all inquiries from those intending an Eastern visit, and render such parties every assistance.
•t- ■
THE
MMIGRATION ASSOCIATION
-OF-
CALIFORNIA.
This Association is supported by and is under the control of the business men of San Francisco.
It is organized for the purpose of furnishing free information concerning California, and to assist immigrants in finding employment and permanent homes in the State.
All possible care will be taken to have the information given by the Association clear and reliable.
The Association is endorsed by the Governor of the State and by the Board of Trade of San Francisco,, as follows:
INDORSEMENTS.
FROM GOVERNOR PERKINS.
Sacramento, Dec. 17, i88i. Arthur R. Briggs, Esq., Pmident Immigration Association of California — Deak Sir: — I notice with pleasure the formation of an Immigration Association in San Francisco; and it is gratifying to me, both as a citizen and as Governor of our honored State, that it should have fallen into such worthy hands. I congratulate the members thereof in their selection of its officers, and beg to add my endorsement thereto. Thfiir names will give it strength and confidence in the community, stamp it with character, honesty «nd integrity . and result in advancing the best interests of the State.
Very respectfully,
Geo. C. Perkins, Governor.
341338
BY THE BOARD OF TRADE.
At a meeting of the Board of Trade of San Francisco, held at the rooms of the Board, Dec. 9, 1 88 1, President Jacob S. Taber in the chair, the following resolutions were read and adopted;
IVAereas, The question of Immigration is one of vast importance to the business men of this city, and we believe the time has come when it should receive intelligent consideration at their hands; and
Whereas, This Board of Trade has, through its action, directed public attention to the subject, and been instrumental in bringing about an organization calculated to do much good to the State; therefore be it
Resolved, That the IMMIGRATION ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA, organized under the laws of this State, has the fullest approval of the Board of Trade of San Francisco; that the known character of the gentlemen composing the Association entitles them to the confidence and support of the business men and capitalists of the State.
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Board, any information distributed by the Immigration Asso- ciation OF California will be wholly free from personal motives; and from its reliabihty and character will be worthy the confidence of all persons seeking knowledge of the State.
The foregoing are full, true and correct copies of the Governor's letter, and of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Trade, endorsing the Immigration Association of California.
A. W. Preston, Secretary.
San Francisco, March i, i88a. OflBce Association, No. lo Cahfomia St.
THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY is tlie only Company issning Pamphlets giving correct information ^regarding the Pacific States; lience can consistently ask the patronage of Cit- izens of those States as well as of those going to the Pacific, it being the direct Short Pioneer Route."'
Tickets on Sale at all Leading Ticket-oflfices throughout the country.
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The Directory of the Association is as follows:
OFFICERS:
ARTHUR R. BRIGGS President
W. L. MERRY Vice-President
W. STEINHART Treasurer
A. W. PRESTON Secretary
C. H. STREET Land Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
James R. Kelly, W. Steinhart, ,
Wm. L. Merry, T. L. Barker,
James Duffy, J. V. Webster,
Wm. Blanding, Arthur R. Briggs,
W. N. Hawley.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
James R. Kelly, T. L. Barker,
J. V. Webster, Wm. Blanding,
Arthur R. Briggs.
MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
James R. Kelly, J. A. Folger,
W. W. Dodge, W. N. Hawley,
Wm. L. Merry, W. Steinhart,
Jules Cerf, , Henry Casanova,
Henry Payot, * Geo. K. Porter,
M. Ehrman, Jas. Duffy,
T. L. Barker, Wm. Blanding,
Arthur R. Briggs, C. W. Whitney,
J. V. Webster, John C. Hall,
C. F. Bassett, a. a. Wheeler.
The Chicago and northwestern Hallway
IS THE SHORT LTNE CONNECTING THE
Pacific Railfoads witli Cfiicap and tlie East,
THE SHORT LINE FROM THE EAST
via CHICAGO
to CALIFORNIA.
THE FINEST ANDIIBEST EQUIPliCENT. OIffI.Y LrllVK running the
IMPERIAL PALACE DINING GARS.
CALIFORNIA
GEOGRAPHY.
It has been truly said that " CaUfornia has a peculiar topography. No other State com- prises within so small a space such various, so many, and such strongly marked natural divisions, isolated volcanic peaks, vast domes of granite, steep and rugged mount- ain ridges, fertile and beautiful valleys, bare deserts, spacious bays, magnificent rivers, unparalleled waterfalls, picturesque lakes, extensive marshes, broad prairies and dense forests — all these are hers." The State ex- tends in a northwesterly and southeasterly course about 750 miles, with an average breadth north of Monterey of 200 miles, and south of that point of 300 miles, and comprises within its limits an area of about 155,000 square miles or 99,000,000 acres, and is the second largest in the Union.
POPULATION.
It has a population of only 850,000, much scattered, yet the total annual productions of the mines, farms and manufactories amounts to over $150,000,000. The people have nearly $150,000,000 in the savings and other banks, and are generally enterprising and prosperous.
TOPOGRAPHY.
There are two great mountam ranges run- ning northwest and southeast, namely : the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Range. The former is from 5,000 to 8,000 feet high, and the latter from 2,000 to 6,000 feet. The two ranges are connected in the southern part of the State at Tehachapi and again at Mount San Bernardino. The Sierra Ne- vada extends along the eastern border of the State, and the Coast Range along the coast to the north and south boundaries of the State. The Sierra Nevada is about 450 miles long and connects with the Coast Range again by a latitudinal range run- ning across the northern portion of the State. The base of the Sierra Nevada Range north of Fresno has an average width of about 80 miles. The Coast Range averages about 65 miles in width.
Between the two ranges are the great Sac- ramento and San Joaquin valleys, which are about 450 miles long, by 55 iniles wide, and may be termed the heart of the State.
In the northern part of the State and north of the junction of the two great mount- ain ranges is the Klamath basin, through which runs the Klamath river in a south-
CALIFORNIA.
westerly course, between steep hills and imountains and rocky canons, for a distance of about 225 miles to the ocean.
The whole basin of the Klamath is very
rugged for a distance of forty miles from the coast, and along the main river there is very
little valley or bottom land. Near the lakes are large bodies of land. The largest tributaries to the Klamath, the Trinity and Salmon rivers, run through a country al- most as rugged as that bordering on the lower mainstream. Scott and Shasta rivers — small- er tributaries — have fertile valleys of bot- tom land about five miles wide and forty long. Pine, cedar and fir forests cover the mountains, and there are other valuable trees both on the mountains and in the valleys.
In the extreme southeastern portion of the State is the Colorado Desert, which is about S40 miles long by 70 miles wide.
Another great basin, called the Mo- Jave Basin, extends into the middle eastern border of the State, the surface of which is cut up by many irregular ridges of barren rocky mountains.
There are many rivers. In the central portions are the Sacramento and San Joa- quin, each about 350 miles long in their me- anderings, which are the only navigable streams in the State. There flows from the Sierra Range westward into the Sacramento, the Pitt, Feather, Yuba, American, Co- simines and Mokelumne rivers. Into the San Joaquin, the Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu- olumne, Merced, Chowchilla and Fresno. Into Tulare lake, the Kings, Tule and White rivers, and into Kern lake, the Kern river. All of these are considerable streams, with
an average length of about 120 miles. The upper half of each is«in the steep and rugged mountains, where they are torrents. After reaching the plain their currents are gentle and the banks low, fringed with oak, syca- more, Cottonwood and willow.
But few streams flow eastward from the Coast Range, and these are not all perma- nent. The rivers of this range flowing west- ward into the ocean, are necessarily short. Those south of San Francisco are the San Lorenzo, Pajaro, Salinas, Cuyama, Santa Inez, Santa Maria, San Buenaventura, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, San Gabriel, Santa Ana, Santa Margarita, San Luis Rey and San Diego, many of which are constant streams to within ten or fifteen miles of their mouths, and all of them passing through rich valleys. North of San Francisco the main streams of the Coast Range which empty into the ocean are the Russian, Eei, Elk, Mad, Klamath and Smith rivers, be- sides many others of less importance, all of which are permanent streams, bordered with narrow valleys at the foot of the mountains.
To all the rivers of the State there are many tributaries along which are good agri- cultural lands.
J The Coast Range is composed of a multi- tude of ridges, and is intersected by numer- ous long, fertile and narrow valleys, such as the Los Angeles, Salinas, Santa Clara, So- noma, Napa and Russian River. These are among the most fertile valleys in the State.
The Sonoma and Napa valleys are partic- ularly noted for the production of grapes and wines.
CALIFORNIA.
There are many important lakes — the Tulare, Owens, Kern, Clear, Klamath, Goose, Fall, Honey, Elizabeth, Tahoe, Mono and Dry lakes. There are also many smaller ones.
Along the coast of goo miles there are nu- merous good harbors, the most important of which are those of San Francisco, Wilming- ton and San Diego. The former is one of the finest land-locked harbors in the world, and the latter is not excelled by many.
THE FOOTHILLS.
The western base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, for a width of about twenty miles, and bordering the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys is known as the foothill region, and is included in the estimate here- tofore given as. the width of the Sierra range. The "foothills" extend from the northern to the southern extremity of these valleys. The temperature, up to a hight of about 1,500 feet, is similar to places in the same latitude in the valley. In the latitude of Sacramento thera is a slight in- crease of rainfall graduated by the increase in elevation. South of Sacramento the in- crease diminishes.
Throughout the whole of this region living springs are numerous. Every agricultural product that can be grown in the valleys may be produced with equal facility in these foothills. Ordinarily the land has to be cleared of trees. Fruit trees and vines thrive better than in the valleys. Wood is everywhere to be found.
There are more than 3,000,000 acres of
these lands open to settlement under the homestead and pre-emption laws.
CLIMATE.
One of the chief advantages of California is its admirable climate. It is much varied, differing greatly in different localities. In man/ counties thirty miles travel takes one from the region of oranges to where only the hardy fruits thrive.
In the valleys the winters are mild. In sum- mer the nights are cool, and cloudy days are few. Violent wind storms, thunder, lightning, hail, snow and ice are very rare.
On the foothills of the Sierra, after a hight of about 1,500 feet is reached, also north- ward, in the Coast Range, the climate as we ascend approaches more and more that of the north Atlantic States.
At San Francisco ice is rarely seen, and the thermometer never stays at the freezing point twenty-four hours. Snow has not been seen, except a few flakes, for twenty-five years.
In the Sacramento and San Joaquin val- leys the winters are about four degrees colder, and the mean temperature in the summer is from sixteen to twenty degrees warmer than that of San Francisco. The weather at mid-day is very warm during the dry season. In the southern part of the State the winters are milder and summers warmer. A temperature of 100 degrees in the southern and interior part of California, owing to the dry atmosphere, is more en- durable than 80 degrees in the States east
CALIFORNIA.
of the Rocky Mountains. Sunstroke is un- known.
The following table gives the results of observations at various points on the Southern Pacific Railroad, as compared with some of the world's noted climates:
MEAN TEMPERATURE.
Place.
Jan. July Dif. Lat.
Austin, Texas
Borden, Cal
Cincinnati, O
ChicaRO, III
City of Mexico
Caliente, Cal
Delano, Cal
Dijon, France
Fort Yuma, Arizona
Genoa, Italy
Gilroy, Cal
Goshen, Cal
Honolulu, S. I
Hollister, Cal
Jacksonville, Florida
Los Angeles, Cal
Monterey, Cal
Milan, Italy
New York
New Orleans, Louisiana.
Naples, Italy
Nice, France
Pajriro, Cal
Richmond. Virginia
San Francisco, Cal
Santa Barbara, Cal
San Diego, Cal
Sacramento, Cal
Stockton, Cal
San Mateo, Cal
San Jose. Cal
Salinas, Cal
Soledad, Cal
Savannali, Georgia
St. Augustine, Florida... Vallejo, Cal
Deg. 36 42
21 10
52
46
47 33 56 46
41 SI 71 48
58 55 52 33 31 55 46
47 49 73 48
56 57 45 49 46 46 47 43 39 59 48
Deg. 84 89 77 63 63 92 86 70 92
77 78
91 78 73 80 67 58 74 77 82 76 75 58 77 58 66 65 73 72
59 69
65 70 82 77 67
Deg. 48 47 56
53 II 46 39 37 36 31 37 40
7 25 22 12
6
41 46
27 30 28
9 44 10 10
8 28 23 13 23 18 27
43
18
19
30.36 36.00 39.06 41.00 19.26 3'i-oo 35.00 47.00 32.43 44-24 37.00 36.00 21.16 36.00 30.50 34-04 36.36 45.00 4°-37 29-57 40-52 43.C0 36.00 37-00 36-36 34-24 32.41 38-34 37-56 j7-oo 37.00 36.00 36.00 32.00 ■.0.05 38.05
The climate in the extreme northern part of the State is cold in winter and warm in summer, and is similar to that of the East- ern States. ( -J
»
The temperature of the coast is generally mild and pleasant in summer, but north of Santa Barbara is subject to chilly northwest winds. In winter the weather is chilly but not cold. The coast counties are subject to regular trade-winds and fogs for a distance of from six to ten miles inland. The fog at
times is thick and wet, and is little less than a fine drizzly rain, beneficial to crops of nearly all kinds. These usually disappear about ten o'clock in the morning.
SEASONS.
The year is divided into two seasons, the wet and the dry. The wet season generally begins about the middle ofNovember, some- times a little earlier or later, and continues until April or May. There is occasionally a light shower in June or July. Between har- vest and threshing time there is little danger of rain. Grain is often left lying in sacks upon the field for months, or until sold.
The wet season is much the pleasanter time of the year. It is called the rainy sea- son, not because the rain falls continuously, but because it does not fall at any other time.
Plowing and seeding commence with the first heavy rains.
The average rainfall of the State is less than that of Liverpool and Rome, or of Chicago and St. Louis, and about the same as at Paris. In some localities, however, in the northern part of the State it is greater than in any of the places named.
The following table gives the average yearly rainfall by localities :
City or Town.
Crescent City.. Humboldt_ Bay. San Francisco..
Monterey
Santa Barbara. Los Angeles....
San Diego
Bakersfield. ...
Fresno
Sacramento
Redding
San Jose
County.
Del Norte
Humboldt.. .. .San Francisco.
.Monterey
Santa Barbara Los Angeles. .. San Diego ....
ICern
Fresno,..-
.Sacramento. ..
Shasta
Santa Clara. . .
Inch's.
34 32 23 15
14 12 10
19 30 15
CALIFORNIA.
While it is raining m the valleys the snow is usually falling in the mountains. It is probable that as much snow falls on the mountains in the eastern and northern parts of the State as in any part of the United States. From the north part of So- noma, Napa and Solano counties northward, light snows fall on the low lands every winter.
IRRIGATION.
If the rainfall is less than ten inches dur- ing any season irrigation is necessary. Al- though there are few localities in the State where the average rainfall for a long series of years does not exceed ten inches, yet, in nearly all the counties south of Sacramento and San Francisco, there are often years when it is less. In the San Joaquin Valley and further south in the State, irrigation is general. It is always .beneficial, and when provided, adds much to the value of the land, and causes it to produce astonishing crops.
Artesian water, which is found at yarious depths in the valleys, varying from 50 to 350 feet, is largely used for irrigation purposes. Ordinary wells are sunk to a depth of from 10 to 50 feet almost anywhere in the State and abundant water is found.
HEALTHFULNESS.
The climate of California is generally con- sidered conducive to health. The hills and mountains and their valleys are considered very healthy. In the low lands, where over- flowed, there are at certain seasons some mi- asmatic diseases. But there are no diseases peculiar to California alone.
Portions of the State have long been visited as health resorts, particularly in the winter seasons.
Among the many places most noted as health and pleasure resorts, may be men- tioned Los Angeles, San Diego, San Ber- nardino, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Napa, San Rafael, Santa Rosa and St. Helena. In the mountains, in different parts of the State, are many valuable min- eral springs. These are much visited for pleasure and health.
TIMBER.
California produces many varieties of val- - uable trees which grow both on the mount- ains and in the valleys. The greater portion of the Sierra Nevada mountains is covered with timber. The oak, manzanita, nut-pine, and other varieties, grow to an elevation of about 2,500 feet above the sea, and dense forests of cone-bearing trees are found at an altitude of 6,000 feet. The redwood is the second tree in size in the State, and the first in commercial value. It is used for lumber, fencing, ties and fuel, and for all kinds of rough and fancy building. It grows on the coast from one to thirty miles inland, and the forests extend from the north boundary of the State to the south boundary of Monte- rey county. The redwood tree is never found outside this State. The >yhite oak grows to a considerable size, but it is of little value except for fuel. Laurel is one of the most beautiful trees of the coast, madrona the most strik- , ing. There are other valuable and beauti- ful trees in the State, such as the juniper, yew, walnut, cypress, poplar, willow, live oak, sycamore, buckeye, cottonwood, etc.
TO
CALIFORNIA.
The eucalyptus tree, or Australian gum, as it is sometimes called, when set out, grows .n all the coast counties of the State most rapidly, and a grove of these in a few years becomes a forest. This wood is valu- able for fuel.
"SOIL.
The soil is much varied. In some of the valleys it is a loose, rich loam. In others it is an adobe soil which produces excellent crops when once under cultivation. The soil on the hills and mountains is rich and mellow, and is very easily worked.
The prairies are not covered with sod, and the first plowing is nearly as easy as the sub- sequent ones. The severe task of breaking prairie is not known in this State. The soil of the timber lands is similar to that of the timber lands in the Western States.
PRODUCTIONS.
The agricultural productions of California are more varied than those of any other State in the Union. The soil produces, with equal facility in the peculiar climates which are found here, the vines of continental Europe, the hardier cereals of North America, and the luxuriant fruits and flowers of the semi-tropics.
California is noted the world over for the excellent quality and size of her fruits.
The blooming of flowers in winter is the admiration of visitors.
Wheat, barley, oats, rye, buckwheat, In- dian corn, broom com and hops are exten- sively raised in nearly all parts of the State.
California is the third largest exporter of wheat of all the United States. In quality CaHfornia wheat is harder, dryer and stronger in gluten than that grown elsewhere in the United States. Fruits, barley, honey, wool and hides are exported in large quan- tities.
The State is also noted for its ric^ gold, silver dnd quicksilver mines, and is well sup- plied with coal, iron, copper, stone, and marble.
Garden produce of all kinds is easily raised everywhere. Peas, beans, onions, potatoes, pumpkins, squashes, melons, to- matoes, beets, carrots, radishes, cabbages, celery, sweet potatoes, etc.
The apple, pear, quince, peach, plum, prune, cherry, apricot, nectarine, olive and other fruits, and the English walnut, almond, chestnut and peanut thrive exceedingly well.
Blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currants and other small fruits do well in very many parts of the State. The grape, both for wine and raisins, does exceptionally well, and raisins are com- peting successfully with the best brands of Malaga. France is also yielding the palm to California for the excellence of her wines.
The orange, lemon, lime, fig, pomegranate, etc., grow luxuriantly in the southern gar- dens and orchards. The fig does well as far north as Sacramento.
Tobacco and cotton are grown in the southern part of the State, and both promise to become important productions.
It has been deinonstrated beyond ques- tion that California is well adai)ted to the
CALIFORNIA.
1 1
raising of silk. Its equable climate and the rapid growth of the mulberry tree have proved in various parts of the State that the rearing of the silkworm" will become an im- portant branch of industry. It requires little or no capital, and can be carried on by the women and children of the family as an addition to other farm wprk. None of the diseases which have affected the worm in Europe have ever appeared in this State. Samples of the silk raised here have been sent to England, France and Italy, and the manufacturers have expressed the opinion that it is equal to that produced in the most noted districts of Japan and Asia Minor.
Alfalfa often produces three and even four crops of hay in a single season, and is con- sidered invaluable for stock.
The climate is so mild that all vegetable life in ordinary seasons is almost as active in January as in July. Trees and shrubs have nearly twice as much time to grow and mature as in the Atlantic States.
DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
Horses, mules, cattle, sheep, goats and hogs are raised in every part of the State, and south of San Francisco can live through the winter months without shelter and with- out cultivated food. Fine blooded stock of all kinds has been introduced, and many farms are devoted specially to raising blooded animals. There are blooded stock farms in California unsurpassed in the world. Nu- tritious grasses grow voluntarily in abun- dance in the valleys and on the foothills and mountains during the wet season, and retain their nutritious qualities when dried by the
summer sun; these make excellent feed for horses, cattle, sheep and hogs during the dry season. The late fall and early winter in California is the feeding season for stock when feeding is necessary.
MARKETS.
Good markets are to be found for all pro- ductions in the State. The mining districts furnish markets for farmers and fruit raisers situated within easy reach by wagon. P'arm- ing is generally profitable in this State, as elsewhere. Wheat, barley 'and various other crops can usually be sold on the land where produced, to the agents of millmen and ship- pers, who traverse the country making pur- chases. Wheat is shippedto Europe by sailing vessels. Fruits, honey, wool and hides are shipped to the Eastern States and cities by the overland railroads. The Southern Pacific rail- road has also commenced carrying wheat, flour and other productions to New Orleans and the Southern States.
RAILROADS.
Although it is but thirty-five years since the discovery of gold in California, at which period the State was a vast wilderness, yet in that short time the progress of civilization has been rapid and permanent. Railroads have kept pace with the increase in popula- tion, and there are now twenty-three railroads in operation, including the main trunk lines and their branches, and many others are contemplated. Those in operation are the Central Pacific, main line; Central Pacific, Oregon division; Central Pacific, Western
12
CALIFORNIA.
division; Central Pacific and Amador Branch railroad; Southern Pacific, Northern division; Southern Pacific, Tulare, Los Angeles, Yuma and Wilmington divisions; Los Angeles and Independence; California Northern; Califor- nia Pacific and Northern Railway; Nevada County Narrow Gauge; North Pacific Coast; Northern Railway and Berkeley Branch; Northern Railway and San Pablo and Tulare Railroad; Sacramento and Placerville; San Francisco arjd North Pacific; San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria; Santa Cruz; South Pacific Coast; Stockton and Copper- opolis; Vaca Valley and Clear Lake.
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND BENEV- OLENT ASSOCIATIONS.
Our common schools are the pride of the State. Free education is provided; so that it is within the reach of all. Wherever fifteen children can be gathered to form a school, it is entitled to support at the public expense.
In the large towns are first-class high schools. There are also a number of acade- mies and colleges, some of them first-class institutions. There are also military, medi- cal and theological schools. San Francisco supports three commercial colleges. Besides these are the State Normal School and the University, both supported by the State.
The leading church denominations are well established.
In all the leading towns the principal be- nevolent associations have organizations.
, LANDS.
Private lands vary in price from two dollars and fifty cents an acre for unimproved lands remote from towns, to ten dollars an acre near towns; and from ten dollars to one hun- dred dollars an acre for improved land, ac- cording to value of improvements and prox- imity to large or small towns.
The Immigration Association is search- ing the United States Land Office records in California, to ascertain the exact location and quality of the millions of acres of vacant Government lands in the State, for the pur- pose of aiding immigrants to locate on them with the least possible expense and loss of time. There are Government lands in every county in the State, with two or three excep- tions, but as to quality and exact location this Association has much yet to learn.
Title to the Government lands may be acquired under the Homestead, Pre-emption, Timber and Timber Culture laws. "
HOMESTEAD LAW.
The word homestead, as now applied in the United States, signifies a tract of land given away by the Government as a free gift forever, on the single condition that the person accepting the gift shall live upon the land and cultivate it, and make it his home for five years. Any citizen of the United States, who is the head of a family, or an unmarried person over the age of twenty-one years, is entitled to a homestead of i6o acres. Persons of foreign birth may avail them- selves of the benefit of this law by declaring their intention to become citizens; and this
CALIFORNIA,
13
they can do immediately after their arrival in this country.
A person wishing to enter a homestead must go to the United Stales Land Office of the district, or to the Clerk of the county in which the land he wants is located, and file his application and affidavit in accordance with legal forms which will be furnished him by the Land Office. The Land Office fees are from $16 to $22, which must be paid at the time of filing the appli- cation. Within six months after fihng his application at the Land Office the settler must commence living upon and improving the land, and thereafter, for five years, he must make the tract his actual home. A soldier who served not less than ninety days in the army during the late rebellion is re- quired to live on the land five years, less the time he served in the army. At the expiration of five years, or within two years thereafter, on making proof at the Land Office by two competent witnesses, that he has complied with all the require- ments of the law, and paying an additional fee of from $6 to $12, he will receive from the Government a complete and absolute title to the land.
Homesteads, until the issuing of the pat- ents, are free from taxation^ and cannot be taken away or sold for debt, but are abso- lutely secure to the settler so long as he oc- cupies and culiivatei the laitd.
If at any time after six months the home- stead settler should desire to get a full title to his land he can do so ^y making
proof of settlement and cultivation up to date, and paying the Government price of $1.25 or $3.50 per acre for the land, ac- cordmg to location — that is, within or with- out the boundary lines of railroad grants.
PRE-EMPTION LAW.
Any person .qualified to take a homestead is also entitled to 160 acres under the pre- emption law (but not at the same time.) Within ninety days after settlement on the land he must file his application in the Dis- trict Land Office where the land is located, which will cost $3. At any time after six months' settlement and up to thirty months after filing his application, the settler may pay for the land at the rate of $1.25 or $2.50 an acre, according to location.
TIMBER CULTURE LAW.
Under the timber culture act an appli- cant is entitled to 160 acres on, any section naturally devoid of timber; the whole section must be devoid of timber. On one section, only one timber claim can be taken. It re- quires eight years to acquire a title. Actual residence is not required. The first year five acres must be broken. Second year must cultivate this five and break five more. Third year must plant the first five acres in trees and cultivate the second five acres. Fourth year plant the second five acres in trees, which make the ten acres. On the day of final proof 675 trees must be living and in a thrifty condition on each acre. '
H
CALIFORNIA.
CAPITAL NECESSARY FOR NEW COMERS.
The question arises as regards the smallest sum considered necessary for a new comer to start with. An industrious man may come here almost without a dollar, hire out for some years, and work his way up by strict economy. But those who come here to make homes for themselves should have $500 to $1,000 to start with on even the cheapest foothill lands. There will be some years of close effort. Poultry must be kept, vegetables raised, odd jobs of work done for the neighbors. But thus, on even this small capital, a valuable property can be developed in the course of eight or ten years.^A small piece of good land is better than a large piece of poor land. It is best to purchase only as much land as can cer- tainly be paid for. Develop this thoroughly, and make it profitable, and more land can be had at some future time. Many failures have arisen from attempting too much. The new settler who deserves success, begins at bed-rock, keeps out of debt, buys as little as he can, wears his old clothes, works early and late, plants trees and vines for the fu- ture, leaves whisky alone, and has a definite aim and plan in life. Such a man can come to California with a small capital and find it a " good State for the poor man." Those who are content to work and be patient here will find the reward sure and ample. Is it not worth while to have a home in a land where there are no violent extremes of heat and cold, and where the farmer can work in comfort every month in the year ?
WAGES.
Wages for ordinary day laborers range from $1.50 to $2.00 per day; good labor, re- quiring familiarity with the work in hand, brings $2.50, and skilled workmen, such as machinists, jewellers, etc., receive $3 and $4, and even more per day. Masons, car- penters, stone-cutters, etc., $3.50 to $4.00 per day. Harvest hands (with board), $2 and upwards. Regular farm hands, with board, per month, $20 to $30.
Wearing apparel is about as cheap as in the Atlantic States.
The following is a list of prices of some of the most important articles of immediate use to immigrants :
HOUSEHOLD GOODS.
Cooking stoves, furniture complete, $15 and upwards.
Tinware, about the same as Eastern prices.
Queensware, same as Eastern prices.
Tables, $2 and upwards.
Chairs, 60 cents and upwards.
Bedsteads, $3 and upwards.
Common carpet, two-ply, 75c to $1.25.
Common carpet, three-ply, $1.25 to $1.50.
FARMING APPUANCKS.
Wagons, $100 to 8175. Harness, $10 to $40. Plows, $7.50 to $22. Mowers, $ioo to $250.
STOCK.
American farm horses, $75 to $150.
Half-breed and Mexican horses, $25 to $75.
Milch cows, $25 to $75.
Hogs, $5 to $9.
Sheep — Ewes, $1.50 to $5.
Rams, $10 to $50.
CALIFORNIA.
15
FRUIT TREKS AND PLANTS.
Apple — I and 2 years old, per 100, $12.50 to $20. Pears — 1 and 2 years old, per 100, J 25 to 835. Cherries — i and 2 years old, per 100, $25 to $35. Peach — I year old, per 100, 820.
Plum and prune — i and 2 years old, per 100, $20 to 835. Apricots — I and 2 years old, per 100, $25 to $35. Nectarines — i and 2 years old, per 100, $25 to 830. Quinces — 1 and 2 years old, per 100, 820 to 835. Figs — 1 and 2 years old, per 100, 820. Oranges and lemons — 1 and 2 years, from graft, each 75c 1081.50. Persimmon — 1 and a years, from graft, each 75c tb 81.50. Olives — each 50c to 750. Pecan — each 50c. Almond — per 100, 820 to 825. Filberts — each 50c. Chestnut — each 50c to 75c. English Walnut — each 25c to 50c.
Grapes — Foreign, per 100, $6. Grapes — Raisin, per 100, 810. Currants — per 100, 86. Gooseberries — per 100 S5 to $6. Blackberries — per 100, 83. Raspberries — per 100, 83.
Strawberries — per 100, !?2, (and special rates for greater number.)
OTHER TREES.
Blue Gum — per 100, 82 to 85. Mulberry — each 75c.
FRUIT TREK STOCKS.
Pear — grafting size, per i,oco, 810 to S12,
Apple — grafting size, per 1,000, 812.
Cherry — grafting size, per 1,000, 812.
Plum — grafting size, per 1,000, S30.
Scions — pear, apple, plum and cherry-, per 1,000, 85.
Parties organizing in the East for the Pacific Coast will be aided and
assisted by applying to any of the agents of the Chicago and North- western Railway.
L. F. Booth, Gen'l Agent, W. H. Stennett, Gen. Pass. Agent,
415 Broadway, New York. Chicago, 111.
►^ »
CALIFORNIANS GOING EAST
will please remember that the Chicago and Northwestern Railway
is the Short Line, and the only one running the celebrated Imperial
Palace Dining Cars. Also, operating Pullman's Best Sleeping Cars.
THE CHICAGO AND NOETH-WESTERN R'Y
IS THE ONLY ROUTE EUNNING THE
IMPERIAL PALACE DINING CARS
BETWEEN THICAGO AND COUNC L BLUFFS.
m
These cars were built by this llaiiroad Corapnuy at its own shops, with especial reference to the needs and wishf.'S of the patrons of this line, and are the most M CJ LJ E R N , COM P L ET E and MAGIN IF'ICENT Dining Cars in existence, and will be managed and run entirely in the inter- est of the traveling jiublic, and without regard to expense in maintaining the table. The meals fur- nished in these cars will include all the delicacies of the season, and equal those to bo had at any strictly first-class hotel.
FOR A SPLENDID MEAL IN THESE CARS, ALL THE TIME NECESSARY FOR H[ALTH AND PLEASURE GIVEN FOR MEALS.
When vou purchase your tickets to or from any point in the West, see that they read via the CHICAGO^ &. NORTH-WBBTKRN. Bv su doing you can get the advantage of these Imperial Palace Dining Cars, "LELAND," "BRtJNSWlCK," " DijL aiONICO " and ''IIjL»NOIS."
You can not get them by any other route.
WIL.L. l»K01"UHK THE 310^T Kl-ABOKATK M£:Al4 THAT CAX BK PROVIJ>KJ»'.
REMLMBER ! 75 cts.
THE!
i
la. CliicaM aiiil iorllraderii ttiha
J umuiui,
IS THE BETWEEN
^J
SAN FRANCISCO/' PRINCIPAL EASTERN CITIES
By from 300 to 600 Miles !
Hence makes BY FAR THE BEST TIME, carrying all classes
of Passengers, East or West, on
FAST EXPRESS TRAINS,
Being the Short Line, it makes the Lowest Rates.
TO SECURE
OOirOiT, PIGH THE ANi ATI EiTtii,
CALL FOE TICKETS VIA THE
Chicago i Northwestern Railway
THE LEADING RAILWAY of the WEST & NORTHWEST.
For any additional information, call on or write to
J.MEREDITH DAVIES,
General Agent, OFFICE, SAN FRANCISCO.
OVERLAND TICKET OFFICE,
Oakland. Ferr-^y.
TO, OR FROM
-31: California, Oregon, Washington Territory, British Columbia,:!:-
NEVADA. ARIZONA AND THE EAST
The Shortest and Best Route is via the
CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.
MAP OF THE CHICAGO vSc NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.
THE PULLMAN LINE OF THE NOETH AND NORTH-WEST
Agents of all Railways on the Pacific Coast, as well as those of rhe Atlantic States will sell tickets via this line.
J. MEREDITH DAVIES. Gew'L AGENT,
Additional Information gladly furnished by
L. F. BOOTH, GEN'L agent,
415 Broadway, New York.
J. D. LAYNG, Gen'l Superintendent, CHICAGO.
W. H. STENNETT, Gen'l Passenger Agent CHICAGO.
^
»
xxixB iioOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW
AN INITIAL FINE~OP 25 CENTS
^Jli'o^ ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN WILL INCREASE TO SO CENTS ON THE FOURTH
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SEP 4 1934
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UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA LIBRARY
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