■38 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY k A PAMPHLET ENDORSED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, TOWN COUNCILS AND BOARDS OF TRADE. -^I^- :;Tv— For Information Address CAMPER & COSTAR, CniCO, Butte County, Cal-, EealEstatea&lliemlJEmiiceBrokers AGENTS FOR GIb_ico "STeciiZLO, The Magnificent Tract of General John Bidwell, 1,000 Acres SnMiTiileft from tlie Heart of tlie Famons IlA.TSrCE[0 CHICO, Immediately Adjoining the Town of Chico. Also Agents for Rosedale, A Beautiful Suburban Location, in Ten- Acre Subdivisions. Other property, both city ami country, for sale. Full particulars and prices given on application. We are also Buyers and Shippers of Dried and Green Fruits, Nuts, Raisins. CAMPER & COSTAR, Chico, Cat. WTTE COUNTY, CALIFOI^NIA. Its Resources and Advantages for Home Seekers. OROVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING. A PAMPLET INDORSED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVIS- ORS, CHICO TOWN COUNCIL, AND BOARD OF TRADE. WRITTEN AND COMPUTED BY REV. JESSE WOOD, EX-SUPT. OF SCHOOLS. r m Oroville, Butte Co., Cal.,Jan. 22, 1888. To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Butte County: — We, the undersigned Committee, appointed by your Honorable Board to examine and revise, if necessary, the matter to be published in the following pamphlet, do hereby certify that we have examined it carefully, have made such corrections as we deemed best, andean vouch for t e general correctness of the various statements made concerning the land, climate and productions of Butte County. We do not think any statements made about the various to,wns are overdrawn, and we are confident that the assertions concerning the opportunities for home-seekers can be relied upon in every particular. C. L. DURBAN, S S.BOYNTON, G. W. DORN 6 ^d Butte County, California, Is situated in tie northeastern part of the great Sacramento Valley, having the Sacramento River for its western boandary line, and the "summit of the Sierra Nevada for its eastern border; the distance between the two being about sixty miles. From north to south it extends in very irregular shape over a space of about eighty miles, between the lines of the 39th and 40th parallels of north latitude. Its capital city, Oroville, is 79 miles from Sacramento, and 161 miles from San Francisco in a north- east direction. The neighboring counties are Yuba and Sutter on the south. Sierra and Plumas on the east, Lissen and Tehama on the north, and Colusa on the west. Topography. The Sierra Nevada Mountains, in the eastern part of the county, are not so lofty and precipitous as elsewhere north and south of the line of Butte County. There are no snowy peaks — no mountain from which the snow does not entirely disappear in early summer. Their sides are mostly smooth and sloping, heavily timbered, and filled with grassy meadows. The Feather River, which from Oroville flows in a single bold stream to the Sacramento, above Oroville, is formed by three great branches coming down from the north, northeast and east: which great branches, with their innumerable tributaries, constitute such a complete, abundant, and well-distributed water supply, for all purposes, as is not to be found elsewhere in the State, if in the world. On the west a vast stretch of level land extends from the base of the mountains to the Sacramento River, a distance varying from twenty-five miles in the southern part of the county to five miles in the northern. Through these lands flow the Feather River, Butte Creek, and Chioo Creek, whose waters are abundant in the driest seasons, with numerous lesser streams, whose waters are absorbed by the thirsty agricultural lands in mid-summer. Along the entire extent of the county, between the valley and the mountains, extend the _;&(?^-^i//f, which consist of sloping hills and undulat- (3) Butte County, Calipoknia. ing plains, partially wooded, and much broken by streams and ravines, containing great variety of soil and climate, of which we will hare more to say on another page. It will thus be seen that, topographically, the county consists of two parts: the western mountain slope of the Sierras, and the rich agricultural valley, in about equal parts. Each is abundantly rich in resources of its own kind, and especially valuable the one to the other, as we shall see fur- ther on. Influence of Ocean Currents. People east of the Rocky Mountains are so accustomed to think of climate varying with the latitude, north and south, it is alm^ost impossible to dispossess them of the idea that it is the same on the Pacific Coast as on the Atlantic or in the valley of the Mississippi. There the lines run reg- ularly north and south, and in mid- winter it is colder up north and milder down south in regular degrees of latitude. But how is it on the other side of the Atlantic ? Does the same lati- tude in Europe and in America have the same climate ? Not by any means. England and Ireland, for instance, are in the same latitude as Labrador; yet the former are clad in verdure while the latter is locked in ice. Spain has the same latitude as Maryland, Virginia and Missouri; yet Spain has q, semi-tropical climate. The cause of this wonderful difference in the climate of the western and eastern sides of the Atlantic is now well known to be the sweep of the water and air currents from the South At- lantic through the Torrid Zone and around in a great curve washing and fanning the shores of Europe with warmth and moisture. In order to un- derstand the PECULIAR MILD CLIMATE Of the entire Pacific Coast, we have but to bear in mind that a similar great ocean current prevails in the Pacific Ocean, bearing the warm waters and winds of the Torrid Zone northward, washing and permeating the shores and climes of the entire coast from Behring's Strait to the Isthmus of Pan- ama with warmth and moisture. The climate of the west coast of Alaska is milder than that of Maine. The climate of the Sacramento Valley is milder in mid-winter than that of Savannah, Georgia. The climate of San Francisco is milder in mid-winter than any seaport in the United States on the Atlantic sides. With this explanation the reader is prepared to understand the fol- lowing table. TEMPERATURE AND RAIN-FALL NORTH AND SOUTH. The following table will show the temperature and rain-fall in the south- ern and northern portions of the State, making clear the fact that in Butte County, California. sections of the country many hundreds of miles apart, the semi- tropijal climate which is claimed as a monopoly by our southern friends exists to the northern extremity of the Sacramento Valley, while there is a decided advantage over the southern section of the State in the matter of rainfall and clear days. These facts will appear plainly in the following table: — Bedding Anderson Tehama Red Bluff Chico Oroville Sacramento.' Gait Brighton Knight's Landing. . Woodland Daviaville Dnnnigan Fairfield or Suisun . South Vallejo Benicia Petaluma Calistoga Napa Santa Barbara Anaheim. . ." ; Los Angeles Spadra San Fernando Newhall Bavenna San Diego Poway : Fall Brook Mammoth Tank . . . Indio Colton Daggett CD 2 s ^ 47.8 50,0 47.7 46.8 47.3 52.0 48.3 48.5 47.4 48 48.3 49.7 47.8 49.7 50.0 46.6 48.2 48.6 48.9 54.3 56.0 53.6 54.4 53.0 48.3 47.0 54.6 .?0.7 51.6 57.3 55.6 52.0 47.9 > .<» 2. . B . m 61.1 59.3 61.9 59.8 62.4 64.5 59.5 6L7 59.9 60.6 61.6 62.4 63.6 61.4 59.5 56.8 55.9 58.9, 59.6 59.4 64.3 58,4 62.9 60.8 58.9 58.1 58.1 57.6 57.4 74.0 73.1 62.7 57.8 m CD B P *0 (TO CD CD ? 3 81.0 80.7 81.3 79.7 81.3 78.8 71.7 76.4 74.8 75.9 77.7 77.0 79.9 73.1 66.8 67.6 64.2 72.0 69.6 67.7 73.1 67.8 74.5 72.9 74.0 73.1 66.8 68.8 68.2 97.1 91.8 78.3 84.3 2 » s 130 65 3 60.2 64.1 63.2 64.2 64.3 61.5 62.6 61.9 63.0 63.8 65.7 65.4 65.2 61.4 60.7 57.7 60.2 59.1 63.1 66.7 62.7 65.5 65.7 62.3 59.7 62.6 60.8 60.3 77.8 74.7 65.3 71.0 63.8 62.6 63.8 62.4 63.8 64 9 60.2 62.3 61.2 61.9 62.8 63.7 64.2 62.4 59.4 57.9 56.5 59.9 59.3 61.1 65.0 60.6 64.3 63.1 60.9 59.5 60.5 59.5 59.4 76.6 73.8 64.6 65.2 36.66 39.97 15.39 27.46 20.84 22.11 19.94 15.70 16.44 16.77 16.59 15.95 16.48 20.10 14.32 15.97 22.32 31.83 23.36 16.92 11.01 17.64 12.39 15.02 4.63 11.72 11.01 14.15 17.75 2.21 2.32 9.84. 3.98 The keeping of tabulated statements of meteorological reports from stations all over the world, which is now done in all civilized countries, gives opportunity for a comparison of the climate of one locality with an- other on a purely scientific basis, and has been fcNind to be perfectly relia- ble as to the deductions which may be drawn from it. The same climatic conditions pi-eralent at places ever so widely separate are found to indi- cate the same productions in each place. For instance, take Chico, or any Butte County, California. place in Butte County and compare its meteorological report for any year with that of Madrid in Spain, Marseilles in France, Jerusalem in West- ern Asia, and Algiers in Northern Afiica. Where tlie same climatic con- ditions are found, the same productions of fruit are also found. We will give the statistics from these places copied frOm published reports. Places. i el- a H : f^ Eome 60.05 46.07 58.03 45.02 62.06 49.06 58.03 40.02 64.08 61.12 , 62.46 51.00 67.25 53.00 45.00 Madrid 43.02 Jerusalem 47.04 Marseilles 43.02 Algiers 53 02 Chico, Butte County, California 45.19 Oroville, Butte County, California 52.25 The reader will observe from these figures that Chico has a higher mean temperature for the coldest months of the year than Eome, Madrid, or Marseilles; and that Oroville is warmer in mid-winter thaA any city in the list, except Algiers. It is only of late years that we have found out that we can raise Lcro all the fruits that have been for centuin.es produced in the above-named favored localities. But now we know that we have every variety of soil and the same climate, and we are waking up to have the same pro- ductions. Climate. A distinguished gentleman from Kentucky, who visited California a number of years ago, being upon his return much questioned concerning this State, when asked about its climate, replied : "That is done up to your taste." A more true and concise answer could not have been given. And this is particularly true of Butte County. Another writer says: "In speaking of California we cannot say climate, but 'climates.' " In Butte County there are many— three distinct ones: the valley, the foot-hill, and the mountain — these varying with every change of locality. The Eastern reader will scarcely be able to understand the nature of our climate if he judges by the thermometer. There is a peculiar dry- ness the air and a constant passage of air curientg which render the hottest hour of the day pleasant when the thermometer marks a decree which, along the Atlantic seaboard, would indicate sunstroke, and cause universal cessation from labor. There is rarely ever a day when labor in BuiTE Counts, California. the fields must be stopped on account of the heat. The most active labor of the entire year, with the heavy machinery used in the grain-fields, is performed in July and August, day after day, without the least cessation, and no man or beast. is prostrated. The thermometer marks high, but the dryness of the air takes otf perspiration, and the delightful breezes fan the laborers while they work, and the labdr of the harvest goes on month after month beneath a cloudless sky. The grain is put into sa,cks and piled up in the field witli no shelter over it, and there it I'emains until such time as it suits the farmer's con- venience to haul it to market. No rain -will come upon it until October or November. It is as safe in the field as in the warehouse. Winter in the valley is a mild season, with rain-fall commencing' in October or November with just enough to soften the ground for the plo w and continuing at intervals until the followingfApril. Because we Californi- ans speak of the dry and the wet season, many Eastern people have the idea that a California winter is a time of constant rain. But the fact is the rain-fall here is very light, even in winter. We have no rain in summer, and less in winter than they have in the Eastern, Middle and Southei'n States. Take tfie State over and the desire is for more. Throughout an entire winter there may not be so many as ten days in which out-door labor is interrupted by rain Some winters there may be twenty days. As to cold, in the sense in which the term is used in the East, it is never cold in this part of the country. The writer of these lines has lived with his family sixteen years in the valley part of Butte County, and speaks from experience. The lowest he has ever known the thermome- ter to mark was 22° aiove zero. Very seldom does it fall to the freezing point. A light frost is not uncommon during mid- winter. Suow falls so seldom as to be a natural curiosity. There is never any stopping of farm work on account of cold, and in the towns carpenters and brick masons work as well in winter as in summer. When the rains begin to fall in October or November, the grain which has already been sown and harrowed in dry, at once springs up, and tlie natural grass comes forth in all the pastures. One might call it s|)ring- time rather than winter, fur such it really is, though tlie grain and gr.iss does not attain much height until along in February, when they put forth a marvelous growth. So our Eastern friends may be assured that in the peculiar conditions which a favoring nature has placed in the climate of Calif rnia, they will not suffer from heat in summer, nor cold in winter. The former is warm, but not oppressive : the latter is decided, but not severe. From January 10 to January 18, 1888, a remarkable cold spell prevailed along the entire Pacific Coast. Ice formed plentifully in all parts Butte County, Califobnia. of California, as abundantly and as thick at Los Angeles and Riverside as in Butte County. But when it was coldest here, the thermometer stood 50° higher than in the Eastern States at the same time. At the time of this writing the cold spell has passed off and we are having our usual win- ter weather, with the thermometer at 60°- The orange trees are unin- jured, though some lemons and limes have been kille^i. People are plant- ing groves of oranges knowing that such another cold spell may never come. The Climate Along the Foot-Hills. Between the valley, proper, and the mountains, extends a wide belt of eountry called the foot-hills, which is now attracting a great deal of at- tention, on account of the peculiar salubrity of the climate, and the varied character of the soil. Here the climate, strange to say, is even milder, both in winter and in summer, than in the valley. It is the natural home of the citrus fruits, olives, oranges, lemons and all other fruits. Scientific men have endeavored to explain the peculiar mildness of this region, and various theories have been advanced. These we will not now discuss, but state the facts as they exist. The writer has resided in these foot-hills during the last seven years, and speaks from experi- ence. At some places a few times during a winter there may be a very thin formation of ice where standing water is exposed to a cur- rent of air. Such & thing as ice formed inside a building he has never seen. Light as the frost is in the valley, there is still less in the foot-hills. The summer's heat is also tempered with a pecu'iar mildness. Already orange and olive groves have been planted and are flourishing all along the foot-hills from the extreme southern to the extreme northern boundary of Butte County. The Climate of the Mountain Slope. Let the reader not think of our mountains as Alps, but as Apennines. There is a gradual slope from the valley through the foot-hills and upward on the mountain sides — so gradual that on^ scarcely realizes that ho is on a mountain at all. Long stretches of comparatively level land are found, and an entire day's ride passes while the ascent is made, traveling along good roads, by pleasant homes, and through thriving villages. Yet we are in the mountains — on the Sierras. Here the climate of the sum- mer season i* peculiarly delightful. Lumber mills, mines, and grassy meadows, where cattle and sheep are kept, abound in the mountains. In mid-summer the days are almost as wai-m as in the valley; but the nights are always cool enough to sleep under a blanket. In winter, of course. Butte County, California. 9 the climate differs from that of the valley, and the difference is gauged by the altitude. Over a space of twenty miles there is a gradual rise of from one thousand to five thousand feet. At one thousand feet snow seldom falls and the climate is that of the foot-hills. At two thousand feet there is a most delightful summer climate, and a winter not severe, though snow frequently falls to the depth of six inches, but does not continue more than a few days. At an altitude of three thousand feet snow is common during the winter season, falling to the depth of two or three feet; but even there it does not continue more than a week at a time. The southerly winds come up from the valley bringing warm rains, followed by genial sunshine; the snow melts away and pleasant weather is enjoyed even at that altitude in mid-winter. Per- manent residences are established and splendid apple orchards are gi"own in these parts of the mountains. Above the altitude of three thousand feet the winters are so severe, there are few permanent residents, except the lusty miner, who remains there to take advantage of the snow waters to wash out his gold-bearing gravel. Soils. Not second to climate in importance comes the subject of soils. Here, too, we must use the plural, for there are all varieties abundantly repre- sented. Along the Sacramento and Feather Rivers, and Butte and Chico /Creeks, are rich alluvial, sandy loam soils. Where the valley spreads " wide between these streams the soil is what is called adobe, an exceed- ingly rich, deep, black soil; along the foot-hills are endless varieties of soils, from light sandy to black adobe, in larger or smaller tracts according to locality. On the lower slopes of the mountain sides there is also consider- able variety of soils, some being sandy and of light color, others, light clay, and much deep red clay. The summits are more rocky and volcanic. The soils vary, there being clay hills, sandy ridges, loamy meadows, and deep rich valleys in the very tops of the mountains — the favorite resort of great herds of sheep and cattle during the summer months. Timber. The mountain sides are covered with a dense growth of timber, principally pine, fir, cedar and oak. Numerous large sawmills have al- ready cut a gi-eat quantity of lumber from these forests, and eleven of them are now at work, but the forests are so abundant there will be work for them for many years to come. Along the foot-hills there is a more or less dense growth of timber suitable for fuel, chiefly oak; and the lands bordering all the streams in 10 Butte County, California. the valley are sprinkled over with immense oaks, sufficient to furnish fire-wood for a century to come. On the adobe lands, and on the plains adjacent to the foot-hills, there is no timber. Minerals and Mining. In the early days Butte was one of the great mining counties of the State, and it may be said to be the same to this day. Oroville, means "gold city," situated in Ophir Township, and "Monte de Oro" and "Gold Run" are names suggestive of the precious metal. But the names of other places, which have no specially snggesti^ve meaning, are noted in the history of the county for the fabulous amount of gold which th^ yielded in the early mining days. Bidwell's Bar, Long's Bar, Nelson's Bar, Cher- okee Flat, Thompson's Flat, Sinclair Flat, Dogtown, Diamondville, In- skip, Stringtown, Forbestown and Helltown,' all have their history of populations by the thousands who once sought and found fortunes in them. The "mineral belt," in Butte County, is co-extensive with the foot-hills and mountains. Gold once abounded everywhere; in the beds of all the streams, in all the ravines and gulches, on the surface of the gravelly plains, in the clay hills, on the tops of the mountains and in the quartz veins of the rocky ridges. Much yet remains and many thousand persons are finding remunerative employment in digging it out. But the old miners caution new-comers with a proverb which they have, and which they derive trom the Bible, saying: "Gold is where you find it." Under' the head of Employment and Industries we shall say more on this subject. Iron ore exists in one place in the coimty in valuable quantities, and lime is made at several places. Coal and other minerals exist, but have not yet been worked to any great extent, there being no demand for their production. In the years to come, as population increases, much remuner- ative employment will be found in these fields. Transportation. The California and Oregon Railroad runs diagonally through the county in its agricultural portion, having seven regular stations in the county. The California Northern Railroad branches oft" from the above at Marysville and runs to Oroville via Moore's Station in the county. The Sacramento River is at all seasons navigable for small steamers, which tow barges laden with wheat. Stage lines and freight wagons run from the centers of trade and population to all parts of the county, over roads that are kept in good repair at the public expense. There is no place in the county which cannot he reached by public conveyance. Butte County, Califoenia. 11 Telegraphs and Telephones, All the towns of the county are connected with one another and with the cities of the State by telegraph and telephone lines. From Chico and Oroville these lines also run to the mining points and mills of the interior, and into adjoining counties, there being about two hundred miles of wires in the county. ' Towns, The largest town in the county is Ohico, situated on Chico Creek, five miles from the Sacramento River,, and on the line of the California and Oregon Railroad. With its environs it has a population of about five thousand. Chico is the center of the finest agricultural portion of the county — perhaps the finest in the State. The famous "Rancho Chico," property of Gen. John Bidwell, adjoins the town on the north, the rich and varied fruits of which have attracted such marked attention at all fairs and ex- positions throughout the United States. Chico Creek is a clear and beau- til ul mountain stream, flowing sufficient water all the year to supplypower fur Gen. Bidwell's laige flour mill, until its capacity was so enlarged as to require the supplemental aid of steam. Steamers run on the Sacra- mento River to Chico lianding and points above, carrying immense quanti- ties of grain to the Bay on barges. Chico is abeautiful little city, and its population is principally Amer- ican; agriculture audits adjunct employments being the chief elements of its life. But it has also tributary to it a fine mining region up Butte Creek, and an immense lumber region to the east and north. In this lat- ter there are five or six large mills at work. A V-flume comes to the city from the mountains, in which the lumber is floated from the mills to the town, so rapidly that a few years ago a beam of timber was sawn at the mill, thirty miles away, flumed to Chico, drawn through the town to the waterworks building, fitted for its purpose and wrought into the building all within the working hours of a single day. By the use of such agri- cultural machinery as is universal in California, this also was done at Chico: the wheat standing in field at sunrise in June, was cut, threshed, carried a mile or more to mill, ground into flour, taken to Gen Bidwell's residence and served for breakfast. But we are digressing. Chico has a regular town government, with police oflB.cers and an ex- cellent fire department, which uses a steam fire engine. It has gas a~nd waterworks. There are two banks in flourishing condition. Seven churches, representing as many denominations, adorn the city, and two large and elegant ])ublic school buildings, two private academies and a. 12 Butte County, California. commercial college filled with pupils. The streets are ^yide, well-kept and shaded. Very many private residences are large and handsome, and the homes of the people all indicate intelligence and comfort. From Chico stage lines run to all parts of the county and into Plumas and Colusa Counties. Concerning its manufactures we speak in another place, and its leading business houses are well represented in our adyer- tisiiig columns, to which we invite the reader's attention. The Branch Normal School. At the last Legislature an appropriation of $50,000 was made for the establishing of a Branch Normal School in the northern part of the State, and the Board of Trustees of the State Normal School were em- powered to decide upon the location. All the towns eligible made vigor- Butte County, California. 13 ous efforts to secure the prize. Red Bluff, in Tehama Ooupty, and Red- ding, in Shasta County, and several towns in other counties offered eligi- ble sites and liberal donations, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, to se- cure the location of the school in their midst. The entire body of the Board of Trustees, consisting of the Governor of the State, the late Washington Bartlett, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, with Professor Allen, Principal of the State Normal School, James Denman, Principal of the leading High School in San Francisco, and other eminent citizens, members \)i the Board, took several weeks of time and visited all the towns competing for the site. They then held a special session in San Francisco and deliberated upon their persona] observations, and the written propositions presented. The final result was that CHICO WAS CHOSEN Bi/ a unanimous vote of the Board, and the splendid building is now in course of construction. This choice of Chico as the location, was not made because Chico offered more money for it than any other place. The contrary is the fact. Chico pledged only $10,000, while other towns of- fered $20,000 and $25,000 to secure the prize. This makes it evident that Chico was chosen on its merits, and has therefore been voted by most competent judges, as the Queen City of the Sacramento Valley. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this acquisition. It insures the intellectual, moral and social character of the town for all time to come, as well as its material prosperity. Ohico's Surroundings. It would be impossible to overstate the beauty and richness of the country surrounding Chico. A drive through the Rancho Chico to the Sacramento River, six miles, thence turning a little south and returning by a different road — or a drive up the valley due north, or to the south or southwest, spreads to the eye of the visitor a scene of enchanting loveli- ness at any season of the year. On Gen. Bidwell's farm we pass through fifteen hundred acres of orchard and vineyard, through grain fields, through pastures, through oak groves. Returning past the splendid stock and grain farm of D. M. Reavis, and the beautiful farm and orchard of E. T. Rey- nolds, one of our County Supervisors — or to the south, along lands through which streams of water are flowing — fields of grain sprinkled over with immense oaks — the grand Sierra range in view to the east, and the leaden colored Coast Range to the west — ^it is a scene of luxuriant beauty of nature's best efforts. 14 Butte County, California. A Place for Investment. As a place where profitable iavestments in real estate, in both town and country, and for the establishment of manufactories, Chico now pre- sedts as fine opportunities as any town in California. It is already the largest town in the great Sacramento, Valley and steadily growing. Be- ing on the great California and Oregon Eailroad, near the Sacramento River, near to the lumber mills, in the heart of the gi-eat agricultural region — all these are reasons why there can be no mistake made in the matter of establishing manufactories at this point, or in inresting in lands. The city is certain to grow and that rapidly. The country is obliged to fill up with a heavy and thrifty population. These two facts are sufficient to warrant the conclusion, already stated, that an investment in lands, town lots, or manufacturing cannot be a mistake. Subdivision of Lands. As in Southern California the large Spanish grant ranchos have been and are yet being, subdivided into small farms, so, also, the same course is being taken with large land holdings in Butte County. On the Eancho Chico, the property of Gen. Bidwell, immediately adjoining the town, one thousand acres of the very choicest part, within one mile of Chico, have been set apart for subdivision into small tracts to accommodate purchasers. Rosedale is the name of another lai-ge tract adjoining Chico on the south which has recently been subdivided into ten-acre lots. Henry & Diller and Camper & Costar, real estate dealers, each have large tracts of land now ready for subdivision. In addition to these there are other lands which can be bought in a body, and subdivided by the pui-chaser, if he choose, greatly to his profit. Around Oroville the work of subdivision has progressed rapidly. The Thermalito Colony took the lead. Of that and other colony tracts we speak in a separate place. Ohico Cannery, This institution has been in successful operation six years. The building occupied measures 60x140 feet and will be largely added to during the coming season. The number of, persons employed last year was two hundred. The output of fruit was fifteen tliousand cases, or three hundred and sixty thousand cans. The amount of money disbursed in the town to employes was upwards of $10,000. All this without counting the fruit consumed. This, at the regular market price would amount to about $10,- 000. Add to this the dried fruit, $20,000, and we have a disbursement of 840,000 from this cannery, and yet it is a paying institution to the owner, Gen. Bidwell. Butte County, California. 15 The successful operation of this cannery makes a market for fruit to be raised by those who come among us to plant orchards. But it is only ffi^P fl*^ SSF', ',''i ..'1 p^i*" 'st^'a, ' 'j'- ^1 H I. \ CHICO PUBLIC SCHOOL. creased during past years and are likely to be in the future. A library fund is also apportioned to each district. Churches. Of church facilities we cannot say so much as we have said about schools. The - M. E. Church is represented in the county by , church buildings in Chico, Oroville, Biggs, Gridley, Moore's Station, Bangor and 22 Butte County, California. Porbestown. The M. E. Church South has clmrches in Chico and Nelson, with preaching stations at Biggs, Giidley and Magalia. The Presbyte- rians have churches in Chico and Griilley; the Baptists in Ohico and Biggs; the Congregationalists a line bricU chjirch in Oroville, with preach- ing stations at Pentz and Paradise; the United Biethren are at Gridley and Bangor, and the Eoman Catholics at Chico, Oroville,. Cherokee and Gridley. While these are the regularly organized chuiches, situated chiefly in the agricultural towns, the school-houses in the interior, anil public halls jn the villages are commonly used for meetings of all kinds, and preachers everywhere find the jieople willing to assemble and hear them. Sunday, schools are frequently tnaintained where theie is no other church organi- zation. Fraternal Societies. Of these, the F. & A. M., I. O. 0. F., 1. O. G. T., A. O. U. W., K. of H., K. of P., I. O. C. F., and perhaps others, are reftresented by lodges in the county. In Chico, the Masons and Odd Fellows each own large and I. 0. O. F. BUILDING, CHICO. Butte County, California. 23 handsome buildings. The same is true of Oroville, and partially in Biggs and Gridley. In Cherokee they occupy the sam« hall. The I. 0. G. T. have lodges in all parts of the county, and in many places, own theii- own halls. This order is particularly flourishing, Butte being the banner county of the State for Good Templars. Newspapers. The newspapers of Oroville are the Mercury, Ed. B. Price, editor and proprietor, and the Register, published and edited by S. S. Boyn- ton ; the former is Democratic and the latter Republican in politics. At Gridley, we have the Herald, C. N. Reed, editor and proprietor, inde- pendent, with Democratic proclivities, and at Biggs, the Argus, Mc- n Daniel & Co., publishers, independent. The newspapers of Chico are the Chronicle-Record by the Cliico Publishing Company, Democratic ; and the Enterprise, Watson Chalmers, editor and publisher. These papers are well established and ably conducted. Both the Ohico papers and the Oroville Mercury issue daily as well as weekly editions. Rains and Crops. In regard to these two items, Butte is probably the most favored county in the State. When the rain-fall over the State is at its minimum say nine or ten inches during the entire winter, Butte gqts a little more than the average, and by reason of a large number of mountain streams, which pour their waters into her lap, giving a sub-inigation to her fields, she invariably produces first-rate crops in those years, when many other parts of the State are entirely " dried out." In an average year, when there is generally a good crop all over the State, Butte County produces a superabundant harvest. But, when the winter is unusually wet, which happens once in from seven to ten years, the dry counties in the great San Joaquin Valley and on the west side of the Sacramento, have an abundant harvest, while Butte makes a small crop. This is because the great body of the rich agricultural lands of Butte are low and flat, and these lands, which control the average grain crop of the county, are injured by too much rain. But on the foot-hill andj mountain farms the crops may be said never to fail because of the variable rain-fall which is peculiar to California. Such a thing as a total failure is unknown in the history of the county, and the average of the last twenty years, show* Butte to be far above the average of the grain growing region of the United States. 24 Butte County, California. Mills, Etc. We have already mentioned that there are eleven large lumber mills sending down millions of feet of lumber from our forest-clad mountain sides. Several of them are connected with long flumes which dump their lumber at Chico and Moore's Station. At Chico and Oroville there are large flour mills run by water power, and at Durham and Gridley, others run by steam. At Chico there is an iron foundry and a sash, door and blind factory. All manner of shops and mechanical works, necessaiy to supply both agricultural and mining demands, are in operation in Chico and Oroville. There is a foundry and machine shop at Gridley and one in contemplation at Biggs. The Thermal Belt. Stretching along the foot-hills, and up the mountain side to the alti- tude of twelve hundred feet, is what is known as the "thermal belt." It is that altitude at which the warm air lingers when the sun goes down, and to which the warm air rises when the first rays of the morning sun are kindled. The writer of this pamphlet resides within this thermal belt and appreciates its advantages. Within the vast area of territory which it covers, there is much less frost than in the valley below. Tender plants and semi-tropical fruits are grown in profusion. Not only oranges, which • are comparatively hardy, but limes and lemons, which cannot be raised in the valley, gro'w and bear fruit abundantly on the mountain sides and in sheltered coves within the thermal belt of Butte County. This is not the- ory, but actual fact, as the trees and the fruit on them may be seen any day at many different places in the county, over a space of fifty miles in extent, north and south. Testimony on this and other points is abun- dantly furnished by the documents which we append to this essay, and to which we invite the reader's especial attention. ■ Irrigation and Non-Irrigation, Throughout the entire valley parts of Butte County all the ordinary fruits grow to perfection without irrigation. General Bidwell's great orchard of one thoussind and eight hundred acres near Chico is not irri- gated. The fruit lands around Cana, Nord, Durham, Nelson, Biggs, Gridley, and various other localities, grow all the ordinary fruits and vines without irrigation, and it is confidently asserted that the summer fruits will grow to perfection at any point in the county without any more water than falls from the heavens; this, of course, with proper cultivation. But irrigation is resorted to, where water is cheap and plehty, to take the Butte County, California. 25 place of cultivation, because it is thought to be easier. Be this as it may we have a proverb which says, "You can grow anything and everything with water." This great necessity, which has been apportioned to other parts of California in such sparse quantities, Dame Nature has bestowed upon Butte County with lavish hand. To this we have already alluded. With the noble Sacramento on our border, and with the beautiful Feather River spreading out its branches like a great tree over the county, we have also five or six lesser streams pouring down their treasures upon us. The water which Butte County has to spare would be untold wealth to them, if it could be distributed to our sister counties which so sadly need it. Not only what nature has done, but what the energetic miner has done, must needs be mentioned here. In the flush mining times, and es- pecially during the times of hydraulic mining, within ohe last twenty years, hundreds of thousands of dollars were expended in digging immense ditches or canals to bring the waters of Feather River and Bntte Creek to the great mining points, at an altitude of from five hundred to one thou- sand and five hundred feet along the mountain sides and in the foot-hills. These ditches are permanent institutions. They are a netwoi k from the extreme north to the extreme south of the county. They are yet used to a considerable extent for mining; but their waters are available also all along their lines for horticultural purposes. As mining wanes and horti- culture takes its place these valuable canals will be found to be of incal- culable benefit; and the fortunes which have been spent in constructing them will be found to be not wasted. Employmeiits and Industries. A Amarkable feature of Butte County is the opportunity which it affords for such great variety of industrial pursuits. Its large extent of territory and its variety of soil and climate, together with its topography and water supply, combine to render it remarkable. There is scarcely a branch of business to which Butte County does not offer superior advan- tages of location. To the agriculturist, horticulturist, viticulturist, miner, manufacturer, stockraiser or lumberman, it presents abundant opportunities. All these employments are represented, and there are many who will say that there is no room for any more; but such a view of the situation is narrow and short sighted. The fact is any one of the above-named employments might he doubled and quadrupled in Butte County to the a'dvantage of all concerned. If all 26 Butte County, California. of them were quadrupled within the next five years, the only change mani- fested in the present status would be unprecedented prosperity for all. The practically unlimited opportunity which the county at present pre- sents for investment in all of the above-named industries cannot be over- stated. In agriculture there are many thousands of acres yet unappropri- ated. In horticulture there is opportunity beyond measure. Viticulture has scarcely begun to be. Stockraising is in its infancy — a primitive state of grazing on the surface as nature provides, instead of cultivatecjr fields of alfalfa. The lumber interest is booming and prominent. Manu- facturing is just beginning. Population and manufacturing go together; as the former comes on the latter will develop. • Eoom for Population, In the agricultural region large ranches, consisting of from one thou" sand to twenty thousand acres, have been a prevailing feature. As popu- lation comes on, these, which have proven themselves to be unthrifty, will be subdivided; and on their rich alluvial land thousands of small farms, the homes of thrifty families, must be established. This cannot be ac- complished until there is a demand. Along the vast stretch of the foot-hill region, and down into the val- ley, extensive stock ranges now exist. A range, for instance, of five thou- sand acres is occupied by one man (with or without a family), who em- ploys two or three herders for his sheep. In this space there are localities where as many perhaps as a dozen farms may be establislied. The sheep ' range is " for sale," because it does not pay. Let some man purchase it, and ofier its little valleys and sloping hills for sale to those who would es- tablish thrifty homes in them, the market value of the tract is at once doubled and soon quadrupled. Moving up the side of the mountain we reach the lower belt of the lumber region. Here we at once see the change which is taking place. The flats and slopes have been shorn of their large growth of pines, but what seems to us to be a heavy growth of timber yet remains. The mills have opened the way to the farmer. Many choice spots are already occupied. Fields of grain, fruitful orchards, and well settled homes appear where once was only " timber land." The same transformation is taking place in the mining region. As one rides round about Oroville and into the interior from that point, vast stretches of country are traversed where the energetic miner of the early day left his deep scar in the face of Mother Earth. In places the entire sur- face is stripped ofi' vast cavities made in tlje hillsides, rocks piled everywhere Butte County, California. 27 and the very monhtains removed; but on comes the horticulturist farmer — perhaps the miner himself lays by his pick and shovel to lay hold on the hoe and plow. To-day, through all the mining regions of the county "small thrifty farms exist, and for horticultural purposes, and especially for citrus fruits, these localities have been found to be the very best. This great transformation, which the demand of an on-coming popula- tion produces, has, as yet, barely begun in Butte County. Within fifteen miles of the town of Chico there are four or five large ranches, which, sub- divided, would make thrifty farms and comfortable homes for from five hundred to two thousand families — according to the use to which such families wish to apply the land. Along the foot-hills there are vast areas of territory now occupied as cattle and sheep ranges, where the hand of industry and thrift may find abundant opportunity for more than a. thou- sand homes. Around about Oroville, where formerly whole sections of land were set ofi' from the public domain as " mineral land," used for grazing purposes at liberty, there should be fruitful vineyards and de- lightful orange groves — with all other fruits common to the temperate zone. All this vast region invites population; not lazy, shiftless, impecunious persons — such would soon starve, or be found begging — but men with brain and muscle, and enough money to give them a fair start — enough to sustain them while improving the lands to make them produce that for which nature has adapted them; such men, — if with' families, so much the better' — can find most abundant ojjportiinity here to secure at moderate cost such a home as will be a sure foundation, a pleasure and a pride. In all this we make no allusion to unoccupied Government land; but to tracts which may be purchased at moderate prices, and applied to better uses than that for which the px'esent owner has taste or disposition. Thousands of homes and thrifty farms are to be made in Butte County within a few years, by turning the big ranches, the stock ranges, the min- ing area and the timber lands into small farms. The advance has already been begun, and the on-coming tide of population will create the demand for which Butte County has such an abundant supply. But, be it remembered always by the reader, that this cannot be done without some means to begin with. A man with a small family willing to help him, if he has from $1,000 to f 3,000 in hand, is safe to make a beginning, which, if he is judicious, will inevitably lead him to established prosperity. Fruits, Orchards, Etc. While grain-growing, stock-raising, mining and lumbering are at this time the great leading pursuits of tlie county, there is no reason why fruit- 28 Butte County, California. growing should not take the place of them all, and the 'day is not distant when it surely will. Our readers know that the home of the apple, in what we call the " Eastern States," is in the Northern States of the Union, especially New York; while the home of the orange is" along the Gulf Coast. No oranges grow in New England — no apples in Florida. Yet the remarkable fact is presented to the world that in Butte County, California, the apple and the orange grow side hy aide. Our oranges take premiums in citrus fairs, and our apples command the best market rates. We name these two fruits as representing the extremes. In the orchard, in the midst of which stands the residence in which these lines are penned, there are now growing and bearing fruit successfully, the following varie- ties: almonds, apples, apricots, cherries, figs, mulberries, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums, prunes, pomegranates and quinces, besides grapes in variety and the small fruits. We have two hundred and fifty orange, fifty lemon, and forty-two lime trees growing thriftily, though not yet quite old enough to begin bearing, and we have two thousand young orange trees in nursery. The Cherry. Thig is our earliest fruit, and superior in some respects to any other. The trees grow to immense size and bear wonderful crops. As a market fruit there is none more remunerative. All varieties grow to the great- est perfection in all soils, but thrive best in rich alluvium. It flourishes from the banks of the Sacramento to the altitude of three thousand feet on the slopes of the Sierras, that is, over the entire area of the county. In Gen- eral Bidwell's orchard the past year one tree bore almost a ton of cherries which sold for an average of 10 cents a pound or about $200 for the fruit of one tree. But at Riverside and Southern California generally the cherry does not flourish. The Apricot. This is the princess of all fruits. It comes early, just before the peach, in May and the early part of June. All varieties flourish, and in all soils. The tree is hardy and a prolific bearer. This fruit is one of California's specialit^s. In Butte County the fruit is far better and more abundant than in the southern part of the State. For drying, for canning, and for ^ the home market it has no superior. The trees are easy to raise and bear fruit the third year. The Peach. What can we say for the peach ? Everywhere in the valley and along the foot-hills, up to an altitude of twp thousand feet, the entire face of Butte Butte County, California. 29 County might be made one vast peach orchard. There is an unlimited de- mand for the fruit for shipment East, for the home market, and for drying and canning. There is no end to varieties, and all bear well. In Butte County the tree has proven itself to be x'emarkably long lived. There are orchards here where trees thirty years old are yet bearing good crops. Apples Grow everywhere, in the valley, in the foot-hills, and on the mountain sides to an altitude of four thousand feet. Those of the valley are only pass- ably good, but those of the mountain sides are as good as the best in any country. The yield is superabundant, and the trees remarkably healthy. There is great demand for winter apples, and fortunes may be made by planting those varieties in proper localities. Pears The California pears are so well known as to need no encomium. ' There is no place in the world where this favorite fruit grows more thriftily than in Butte County. In every part of the county trees are found bearing fruit in great perfection. Such is the demand for them that the business cannot be overdone. Plums and Prunes, We must needs repeat the same words already used. They grow in all soils, in all localities, in greatest variety and abundance. The demand for them is unlimited. As a dried fruit they stand at the top of the list. In many parts of the State entire orchards are being planted to plums and prunes, and this should be done in Butte County. The trees are here free from bug pests and bear every year. They begin to bear the fourth year. Almonds Grow all over the valley and the foot-hills. Only light gravelly soils are adapted to this fruit. On deep rich, moist, soil the tree grows luxuriantly at first but soon dies, and is often unfruitful. On dry gravelly soil it bears abundant crops. Nectarines Grow wherever peaches do, and are considered by some to be the com- ing fruit. As a dried fruit it has few superiors. Quinces Grow like apples and flourish everywhere. 30 Butte County, California. ^ Mulberries Grow wondeifully in size and bear immense crops. Figs. We cannot say too much for this fruit. If there is one fruit above all others for which Butte County ^soil and climate seem perfectly adapted it is the fig. That it is destined to become one of our leading fruits is be- yond a question. The trees grow to immense size, and bear two, three, and occasionally four crops a year. But to say two full crops each year is enough. Figs are easily dried and handled. The remuneration to the producer depends upon himself. The trees do their part. Pomegranates ft Grow litxuriantly all over the valley and along the foot-hills. As yet there has be^n but little demand for the fruit, but by many it is highly esteemed. Small Fruits. Strawberries, blackberries, gooseberries and currants grow in Butte County in great perfection and most abundantly. Grrapes, • 'Whatever may be said of grapes all over California applies to Butte County. It is one of our universal fruits, growing everywhere and in all varieties; but some locations are more favorable in soil and climate than others. Grapes adapted to wine making grow well and bear abundant crops, but the climate being warm too much sugar forms in the grape and injures the quality of the wine; hence Butte County is not a wine-producing county. But the muscat grape, grown for raisins, and the varieties adapted for table use grow to great perfection and are as choice as can be found in the world. Raisin making, which was begun by C. L. Durban first in Butte County, the first in the United States, is destined to become one of our great industries. The grapes grown near Oroville, by C. H. Leggett, have won the highest meed of praise wherever they have gone in California and in the East. It is safe to say that they are not excelled by any in the State. The raisins made by C. L. Durban, at Pentz, on the farm adjoining the one owned by the writer of this pamphlet, command the highest prices in the markets, , and took first premium at Paris Exhibition in 1887. The lands all along the foot-hill region, and far down in the valley Butte County, California. 31 are finely adapted for grapes. Large vineyards are now being planted in the vicinity of Gridley. At Mooi'e's Station is a winery doing a large bus- iness. On General BLdwell's ranch a large space is devoted to Muscat grapes. Indeed, we may say that the capacity of the county for viticul- ture is almost unlimited. Olives. This remarkable fruit is beginning to receive much attention. Nu- merous trees are now bearing fruit in a dozen different places in the county. The fact being fully demonstrated of th" thrifty growth and luxuiiant fruitage of this tree, the Hon. John C. Gray, ex-member of the Assembly, and the present district attorney of the county, has heretofore set out five thousand olive trees, and has contracted for more to be set this year. At the Thrasher ranch on Feather River, four miles east of Gridley, a fine grove of olive trees are now bearing fiuit. The opportunity for the culti- vation of this fruit in Butte County is practically unlimited. J. G. Curtis, four miles north of Pentz, set out two hundred trees last year and will set out three hundred this year. R. A. and L. Green, on their place in Messilla Valley, near Pentz, have four hundred olive trees growing and will set out one thousand this season. Jesse Wood, on his Eyrie Villa Farm near Pentz, will this season set out four hundred olives. At Chico, Dr. O. Stranbury and Mr. Wm. Earll intend setting/or*?/ acres to olives as rapidly as the young trees can be tjbtaitied. The olive flour- ishes on our foot-hill lands and yields the most profitable crop of all fruits. Do You Wish to Cultivate Oranges? ■ If so, Butte County furnishes a better opportunity, perhaps, than any other section of California. Our fruit has proven itself to be the full equal of that grown at Riverside, in the southern pai-t of the State, and decidedly superior to that grown at Los Angeles. Soil and climate are found, by experience, to be here especially adapted to this fruit — golden in two senses of the term. By booming their country through newspaper puffs and overdrawn statements in circulars, interested land agents have succeeded in drawing to Southern California the great tide of Eastern immigration, and the pastui-e lands of that section are sold for orange culture at from', $100 to $500 an acre. To-day, Butte County has thousands of acres of land which can be bought for from $10 to $100 per acre (according to situation and other advantages), which is alsp within the line of abundant wafer for irrigation, on which oranges, and all the fruits common in the temper- ate zone, can be grown in the richest profusion. 32 ' Butte County, California. Since the award oi the first premium to Butte County, at the Sacra- mento Citrus fair, much interest is being taken in orange culture. Those ■who had a few trees growing in their yards are now planting groves. At Oroville a company of gentlemen, high officials and most prominent citi- zens, have formed an association and planted a tract of forty acres. Lands can be had, water supply is abundant, and every facility is offered. The great fact which prompts this active interest in orange culture is one which was not appreciated until it was demonstrated at the recent Citrus Fair — that our fruit is equal to the best produced in Southern California, and ripens from three weeks to a month earlier. These facts which are stated in italics, are a sufficient guarantee that orange culture in Butte County will be a grand _;?wancia^ success. That they grow and bear fruit abundantly, and with but little care, has been well known for years past. A Ten-Acre Farm. What will ten acres cost 1 That depends upon its location. If it is within a mile of a large town like Chico where all possible advantages are secured with it, no one could expect land to be so cheap as ten miles away. The same is true to a degree concerning the other towns mentioned in this pamphlet and along the railroad. And with equal force the argu- ment prevails concerning the several colonies which have been formed and are now offering choice lands in small tracts with all advantages secure. Outside of these subdivided colony lands, or near the towns there are no lands to be bought in such small tracts as ten or twenty acres. From eighty to three hundred and twenty acres is the usual size of the farms on which general^ farming is done; while the "ranches " run from three hundred and twenty to ten thousand aci'es. But a "ten-acre farm" means a choice piece of land in a subdivided tract where all social and educational advantages exist, and where much capital has already been spent to make the land worth the piice which is asked for it. Hence the reader must not be surprised when told that in small tracts land costs from $100 to f 300 per acre. Railroads, schools churches, water rights, roads, etc., cost money, and no small lot of it. To purchase, survey, subdivide and advertise these lands, so that you, kind reader, may learn about them and secure their advantages, costs a little fortune to the projector of these colonies. You cannot expect men to in- vest so much mcJney, time and talent for your benefit entirely, not expect- ing to make a share for themselves. So they give you the benefit of their enterprise and capital, when they sell you a ten or twenty-acre tract. There is no chance for you to be accommodated without some previous Butte County, Califoexia. 33 outlay by someone. So do not think strange >vlien a liigli [nice is asked for a small farm. Buy a large one at a much less price per acre if you like ; but when you look at the small one surrounded as it is by the ad- vantages of churches, schools, society, railroad, public roads, streets, etc., etc., you should remember that all these have cost thousands of dollars invested to make the surrounding lands valuable. Away from all these, land can be bought at a small figure. The question, What are these accessories worth ? is for the purchaser to consider. But what is the actual value of a "ten-acre farm" is a question which may be discussed upon its merit. Such farms are now in existence. A ten or twenty-acre farm means fruit, of course; and the value of such a tract depends upon the kind of fruit and the character of cultivation which it receives. The ordinary deciduous fruits planted on ten acres will yield an in- come of from SI 00 to $300 per acre, clear of cost of cultivation. In olives or oranges, or small fruits .and vegetables, the net yield is much greater. This estimate is not theoretical, but has been demonstrated by actual ex- perience — the experience of many orchardists in many different localities. What then is the value of an acre of ground which yields flOO clear profit? It is easy to see that |100 is eight per cent of f 1,250. So the acre which yields $100 steady income is worth $1,250. Sui)pose then you find land pi iced at from $100 to $300 per acre. You plant it to orchard at a cost of 850 per acre. You cultivate and prune it from three to five years at a cost of from $25 to $50 per acre. At the end of five years your land stands you in a cost of not more than $500 per acre, and your orchard is in bearing and worth double what it has cost you. If planted to citrus fruits it is worth three or four times what it has cost. Are There Opportunities? Are there opportunities for investing in small tracts such as are above described 1 Yes, just at present, abundant opportunity. The sev- eral tracts of land described in the advertising columns of this pamphlet have been subdivided for the very purpose of creating such opportunities. So long as the land remained in large tracts, it was practically locked up, and" the country was at a stand-still; but men of enterprise and energy, with some capital, have taken hold of the business, and have purchased and subdivided these large tracts, so that now in all parts of Butte County Wnds may be obtained in small tracts, and with these small tracts all pos- sible advantages are secured. See the advertisements appended to this essay, and look at the lands for yourselves, or correspond with the parties \ having them for sale. 3 34 Butte County, California. Market Gardening- very superior advantages for this highly interesting and lucrative branch of industry exist in Butte County. The rich alluvial lands along Chico, Butte and Honcut Creeks, and along the Sacramento and Feather Rivers, are now to some extent used for this purpose. Colonies of China- men have almost monopolized the business. These lands are adjacent to Chico, Oroville, IVCoore's Station, Durham and Gridley, and the entire pop- ulation of the county are supplied from them. There is no reason why white men may not enter in and possess this very important and highly remunerative industry. The anti-Chinese sentiment, which prevails throughout the country, offers strong inducements to men -of intelligence and industry to go forward. At Oroville two large gardens, owned and cultivated by Italians, supply the community. There is no reason why Americans cannot do likewise. One hundred families might find remun- erative emploj'ment at market gardening in Butte County. Whence Oome the Lands. There are thousands of acres for sale which are owned by men who do not appreciate the high and noble purpose to which their lands are adapted. When the owner of a cattle or sheep range finds that the, grass grows shorter from year to year, because his herds tramp it, and feed it down too closely, and when he finds, at the same time, that the market value of his land has risen from 15.00 to $20 per acre; he begins to say: " I can't afford to raise sheep or cows on this land." What, then, will he do? Change from sheep or cows to oranges 1 Not he! It isn't in him. He doesn't know how. All he knows to do is to sell out and seek the frontier again. He came to Butte when there was unlimited free range for his stock on Government lands. Now he must go to Modoc County or Mon- tana Territory. Who then should take this man's place ? Not another of the same line of pursuit, but one who will change the use of that land to the nobler purpose for which nature adapts it. The range is perhaps two thousand acres and can be bought for $10 an acre. It may be situated in the Ijoot- hills. In that case, much of it is unfit for ordinary cultivation, but will afford ample pasture for the smaller herd of stock, which the ordinary farmer would keep. In the tract there are two, three, or perhaps four streams coming down from the mountain-side, with beautiful little valleys and rich slopes bordering them. In these there is room for three or four farms, allowing one hundred or one hundred and sixty acres of good cul- Butte County, California. 35 tivable land to each farm. On such a farm as can be made within this space, a family can be comfortably sustained with all the necessaries, and almost all the luxuries, of life, grown by their own labor. The above is no fancy sketch. The writer knows the place, and can point out several places in Butte Couniy where it may be realized. How It Has Been— How It Is. One of the first things we heard said by old citizens of Ohico, when the author of this essay removed to that town eighteen years ago, was that " the town was overgrown — it would go back rather than increase." Such expressions he has heard ever since concerning that and other towns of the county, which have, nevertheless, gone steadily on increasing and improving. Concerning the price of lands similar remarks have been made. Beginning when the'price for the best lands was but $10 per acre, the cry of old settlers has been, " Lands are already too high priced — far beyond their value." But the price has steadily increased from a mere nominal price for an immense " i-ancho," measured by leagues, up to the present ruling price of from $10 to $100 per acre, according to quality and locality. The estimate put upon the value of certain qualities of land has also passed through variations. Fifteen years ago the rich black adobo. lands were considered about valueless; now they are the finest of grain lands and are bought at $50 per acre. Ten years ago the gravelly , plains, stretching through the center of the county, were not considered worth the price of Government entry; now they are eagerly sought after. Only two years ago lands along the foot-hills were considered of no value, ex- cept as sheep pasture; but now the eye of the fruit-grower looks upon them covetously, and the speculator comes fi-om the distant city to invest in them. It has been customary for the old settler to say concerning his neighbor's foot-hill farm, that he " would not fence it for it; '' but the purchaser gladly pays the price, knowing that he will in a few years sell again at from f 20 to $40 per acre, or perhaps improve it, and hold it too valuable to sell. So also the alluvial lands along Butte and Chico Greeks and along Sacramento and Feather Rivers. Since they rose to $25 an acre the cry has been, " Too high! " — but on they go, and now new owners are putting them to use which sustains the price of $75 per acre, and con- fidently expect that such lands will gradually rise to double their present price. Apropos on this subject we clip the following from a recent commu- nication from District Attorney John 0. Gray to the Oroville Registerl — " Less than twenty years ago, I was offered a tract of land near the 36 Butte County, California. flourishing town of Gridley, for one dollar per acre. It was partially covered with live-oak, manzanita and chaparral, and on it pastured a few head of cattle and a large number of sheep. To the east ran Feather River, along the west banks of which was a sti-ip of land known as bottom-land, which was then considered to be the only land in that vicinity worth cultivating, and which was then held at about ^10 per acre. On the west were extensive treeless plaiiis, largely covered in the winter with water, and the resoit of geese and duck, while in summer it presented a most forbidding aspect, being baked and full of large cracks, rendering it almost unsafe to ride over even on horseback. On reporting the offer made me to my neighbors, I was told not to purchase it, as the land could not be cleared in a life-time, and when cleared it would be of little or no value except to furnish a home for ground-squirrels, and but few of them would be able to sustain life upon it. Of course I did not puichase. But others with far more energy and foresight did. Since that time I have lived to see the land cleared, the fields yield, year after year, large crops of grain, and increase in price, until not an acre of it can be bought for less than |75, and still the price is going upward year after vyear. Its owners are men of wealth and now have a property that will yield them a support during their lives and become a rich legacy to their childi'en. There is now no more such land to be had in that vicinity. It is all in a high state of cultivation and held at high figures. Even the lands to the west of it have been drained and culti- vated and made into farms, on which are to be seen elegant residences and happy, prosperous families. Old re.sidents can hardly believe their senses as they look over the inviting fields spread out before them.'' Citrus Culture . For more than twenty years it has been a known fact that orange trees flourished in Eutte County, bore abundant crops, and that the fruit was of superior quality. The first tree, planted thirty years ago at Bid- well's Bar, then the county seat of the county, is now a lordly tree, bear- ing about two thousand oranges every year. After the county seat was renioved to Oroville, several leading citizens alid public officials there planted seedling trees in their yards — for ornament rather than for the fruit. The trees grew thriftily; and in due time rewarded their patrons with the golden fruit in profusion. Amongst these pioneer orange growers we may mention 0. H. Wilcox and Dr. T. J. Jenkins, leading citizens. Judge Warren T. Sexton and Judge 0. F. Lott, Judges of the Second Judicial District of California. The success of these trees induced many others to plant — still confining their efforts to their door-yards. Not only in Oro- BUTTH COUXTY, CALIFORNIA. 37_, vlile, but at dozens of other places in the county, orange trees were planted. At vai'ious homes at Wyandotte, seven miles southeast, at the Campbell ranch, five miles north, at Pence's ranch, twelve miles north, and at Foreman's ranch, twelve miles northeast of Oroville, and at numerous other places. In the towns of Chico, Biggs and Gridley numerous trees are in bearing, ^.nd at the home of C. W. Harris, some distance above Chico, a grove of forty orange trees are bearing abundantly, with lemons, limes and olives growing; while at the home of John Nicholl, away np in Butte Creek Oaiion, there are not only orange trees, but also lemons and .limes bearing in profuse abundance. Not until some time in September,' 1885, had anyone thought of mak- ing an exhibit of these fruits as a specialty. Originating with a gentleman in Butte County, namely, S. S. .Boynton, editor of the Register, the suggestion was taken up by contemporary journals, and arrangements were made for the holding of a Citrus Fair In Sacramento City, beginning on the 12th of January, 1886. At this fair the following counties made exhibitions of citrus fruits: Butte, Yuba, Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Shasta, Sonoma, Amador, Calaveras, Napa, Colusa, Sutter and Nevada. THE. FIRST PREMIUM WAS AW.iRDED TO BUTTE COUNTY. The newspapers of the State spoke in glowing terms of the success of this fair. As other fairs have since been held and our space is limited we quote only the following: — " If the climate of Northern California is not better adapted to the growing of semi tropical fruits than Southern, why is it that some of the early vegetables, etc., that are now in the market do not come from Los Angeles and Rivei-side? It is a well-known fact that all early fruits, etc., come from the Sacramento Valley, hence we must co.ne to- the conclusion that the frost is not so severe up there as it is down south. And it is most natural that it should be so, for the fruit districts of our part of ^'al- ifornia are thoroughly protected on all sides from the cold, while in liOs Angeles the country is open to the sea, and the coming of the spring is very much later. If the lanl speculators of Los Angeles wish lo hang to the throats of Easter gulls, they had better call off their newspaper ' bull purps.' " — Oakland Tini^s. " The exhibition of Northern California citrus and other semi-ti-opical fruits, held last week in Sacramento, demonstrated all that was anticipated — and more. It has made known to the world that fruits of siich nature Clin be successfully gi'own in a part of the State which has hitherto had little .38 Butte County, California. credit for such products. This was, we imagine, the chief design of the exhibition. What it has shown more than tliis is that the oranges are of good flavor and sacchaiine constituents; also, that there are some special localities which have the improved kinds, or choice seedlings of high char- acter, and, by having such endowment in the matter of variety, are pro- ducing an orange about as good, perhaps, as any in the woi:ld. We saw some specimens which we think any critic would give such standing. — Pacific Rural Press. " Butte County has justly enjoyed a high reputation as a grain and fruit county. Some of the most noted orchards and vineyards in the State are in this county. Nowhere in the State is the soil more prolific. The valleys have a deeo alluvium, and the foot-hills a red loam so much sought for by fruit-growers. For nearly half a century there has never been a serious crop failure in Butte County. It has railroads, churches, schools and printing presses. Some of the finest orange, lemon, fig and olive gi-oves are in this county. Among its flourishing towns are Ohico and Oroville, that have every advantage for family residence. The educationfil advantages are second to none. Timber and water ax'e in abundance. Land is cheap and for sale on time, and rapidly advancing in value. The home-seeker will find every advantage in Butte that prodigal nature has given anywhere." — Sacramento Bee. First Butte County Citrus Fair. The experience of two years in which citrus fairs were held in Sac- ramento for all the counties of Central and Northern California had dem- onstrated the fact that in such a combination no county could be fully represented. There was demand for more specialty. Many exhibitors were barred out by the distance and expense. Citizens of different parts of the county wished to see one another's productions. Visitors who saw the fruit wished to see ihe trees which produced them and the soil in which they grew. For these and other reasons, after the propriety of holding a fair at home in our county seat town, Oroville, had been fully discussed, and its advantages compared with those to be gained by sending our fruit to Sac- ramento or to Chicago carefully considei-ed, in November last it was de- termined that a citrus fair should be held in Ofoville and ' December 20, 1887, Was agreed upon as the day for its opening. The new.spapers of the county and the fruit-growers of all sections took a. lively interest in its success- The people of Oroville, our county seat town, held a meeting and appointed Butte County, California. , 39 an executive committee composed of E. W. logg, D. K. Perkin, H. C. Bellj James C. Gray, D. N. Frisleben, J. J. Smith, and Floyd Tabor. D. N. Frisleben was appointed general manager. From the inception of the enterprise it became evident that it would be a grand success. The Board of Trade of the town of CJhico took the matter in hand and appointed a committee composed of B. F. Allen, Allen Henry, Wm. Earll, A. L. Nichols and H. H. Camper, to co-operate with the Oroville committee, and secure a full representation from the northwestern part of the county. Smaller communities took a like interest, until every district in the county became full of zeal to make one general exhibit of aM the products of the soil of Butte County — its citrus and deciduous fruits, its grain, vegetables, and minei-als. The Board of Supervisors of the county donated $500 out of the county treasury, and -individual citizens, principally those of Oroville, sub- scribed various sums, until nearly $3,000 was "raised to defray the necessary expenses. In the Court House yard a frame-work of tiinber was erected fifty feet wide, one hundred and fifty feet long, ,and about fifty feet high at the apex. Over this heavy canvas was stretched, making an immense Canvas Tabernacle, Containing, like that of old, many golden treasures. The Court House yard was, ten years ago partia,lly set with oraiige trees. Eight of these trees were inclosed in the mammoth tent, and five of the eight trees had come into bearing and were loaded with rich, golden fruit, bearing living testimony to the genuineness of the grand display which' would be gath- ered beneath and around thgm. Some thought the canvas tent impracti- cable for such a purpose in December; others thought its. size far beyond the demands; but the fair has been held' and its results we shall now at- , tempt to describe, though, the reader must be assured that no pen picture ; can possibly be adequate to the subject. Before the day of opening all the space in the immense pavilion had been taken by various communities and individual exhibitors in all parts : of the county. Chico was assigned ninety feet ^long the right side, Mes- silla Valley occupied the entire end and Oroville took the entire center row, , while Biggs, G-ridley, Wyandotte, Bangor, Paradise, Clear Creek and other localities in the county had spaces allotted to them according to the size and variety of their exhibits. It soon became evident that- the pavilion i was too small. It was. so crowded with exhibits there was scarcely left ■ any room for the throngs, of people who would visit it. The exhibition was limited to Butte County alone, but embraced aU the products of its soil. Deciduous fruits, grains and vegetables were in- Butte County, Califuenia. 41 eluded, but it was, nevertheless, by pre-eminence a citrus fair, from the fact that the orange and lemon so largely predominated over all other products exhibited. Certain select localities where orange trees had been planted years ttgo were known to be a complete success in the production of citrus fruits, but not one citizen of the county had any idea of the uni- versality with which they grew in all parts of the county. At the agricultural fairs which are held annually, in Chico, daring the month of September, has most abundantly been manifested the capacity of the county for the production of deciduous fruits of the choicest quality and of all varieties, but ChIco astonished herself when her Board of Trade bi'gan to gather in the orange.s for exhibition at this citrus fair. Trees were found in ever so many door-yards, loaded with ripe oranges of excellent quality, remarkable for their size. And from country homes to the north, east, south and west oranges were obtained until the cofiimittee had on hand about six thousand beautiful ones to send to Oroville. With these they built in the pavilion a ," citrus cottage '' and a " golden candlestick," which were greatly admired. It had not. been so considered before, but n- w Chico registers herself as an orange-producing locality rivaling Oro- ville and Messilla Valley, whose tret-s have been in regular . bearing for many years. Cliico's exhibit was awarded the gold medal for the best ex- hibit from any community outside of Oroville. / The surprise created by this exhibit of oranges from Chico was also b-haied by like exhibits from Biggs, Gridley, Central . House, Wyandotte, Bangor, Clear Creek and other localities, where only within the last few years have many trees been planted. In fact it was demonstrated that two-thirds of the entire area of Butte County "was finely adapted to the cultivation of this queen of fruits. Thermalito, a new colony town, started only two years ago, made a fine exhibit at this fair. She was euabled to do so from' the fact that in her very midst there stands an orange orchard which was planted out about twelve years ago, and the trees are now coming into full bearing. But for this and a few other trees on a farm within her borders, Ther- malito would have had to content herself with the fine exhibit which she made of her young trees and nursery stock untouched by frost, with her young palms and other tropical plants. Being only a mile away from the pavilion, Thermalito had also opportunity to exhibit herself — many visitors to the fair going over to see the young orchards there established, and to ride along the avenues and streets recently laid out. Messilla. Valley, a neighborhood twelve miles north of Oroville and sixteen miles southeast of Chico, situated in the very center of Butte County, in the edge of the foot-hills, had a very fine and varied exhibit of 42 Butte Count y, California. oranges, lemons, raisins, Japanese persimmons, and all the deciduous fruits dried and in cans and jars, and received the silver medal for the second exhibit from any community outside of Oroville. Wyaiidotte, in addition to the fruits heretofore mentioned, had to- - bacco in its display, as did also several other communities. Liquorice root was also shown from Wyandotte and Messilla Valley. Oroville, being the oldest producer of all, and being in the very heart of the Northern Citrus Belt, had of course the largest and finest display of any locality. Its enterprising citizens had arranged their fruits in all manner of artistic designs. There were pyi'amids, bee-hives, cornu- copias, mining implements, and all manner of curious and beautiful repre- sentations, stretching through the center of the pavilion, terminating at the farther end in a Gothic church, some eight by twelve feet in size and ten feet high, with a steeple running up twenty feet, all covered from basement to the pinnacle with oranges, lemons and limes. Within this church was an organ, and a quartette choir at intervals discoursed grand national and religious anthems. This church stood just opposite the Chico " citrus cottage," and though in beautiful harmony as to scenic effect they became distinguished rivals for the award of the first premium for the most beautiful design. Great Distinguishing Feature. We wish now to call the attention of our Eastern reader to one dis- tinguishing feature which stamps this first Butte County Citrus Fair as the greatest show of the fruits of the earth ever gathbred under one roof. The testimony of visifors which we shall presently quote is sufficient proof of the superior character of the exhibit; but it is not upon this that we rely to prove the above bold declaration. We will simply ask our intelligent reader to consider the facts presented, as follows: In the Chico exhibit, Gen. John Bidwell had forty varieties of grain, repre- sented by the grain in jars and in sheaf. Grain was also shown from many other places and grows most abundantly all over the county. Where is there any other county which produces sueh grain and such oranges and lemons from the same soU and under the same climate? Apples, pears, cheiries and such like fruits' belong in northern latitudes while oranges, lemons and Muscat grapes belong in extreme southern climes. But the marvelous riches of nature's endowments upon Butte County are here presented in the former and the latter fruits, with the grains, and the vegetables, and smaller fruits of all climes growing in rich luxuriance, side by side, in the same soil and under the same climate. Such an exhibition of fruits as we have just idisplayed in Butte Butte County, California. 43 County could be gathered in Europe by taking ap)iles, grains, etc., from Scandinavia on the north, grapes and prunes from Germany and France on the west, peaches from the borders of Asia on the east, oranges and figs from thti borders of the Mediterranean on the south. By thus se- lecting the fruits of all the countries of Europe such an exhibit as was last December made in Butte County might possibly be collected under one roof, but it is safe to say it has never been done. It has been reserved by Providence for this favored land, the County of Butte, in California, to gather from within its own borders an exhibit of produc- tions the like of which the world has never seen before. Testimony of Visitors. In proof that we are not exaggerating in the above statements, we will hereto append a few clippings from the many published accounts which the press of the State sent forth. The following is from an editorial in the Alta California, one of the oldest and most reliable newspapers of the State: — "Her peo[ile have organized a Citrus Fair Association, and just in these holidays, while in the same latitude, east of the mountains, the country is profoundly frozen, snow-covered and bleak with winter, they have raised a tent in an orange orchard over growing trees laden with fruit, ripe and yellow, and there are holding under canvas a citrus fair. It is the most attractive exhibition of the kind ever held on the continent. The exhibit is enriched by other products in season there, tender vegeta- bles and plants which revel in a winterless climate to surprise by contrast with the stratum in the same latitude in the center and on the eastern side of the continent. "While the Oroville citrus fair has done more than all meteoiological demonstrations have been able to accomplish in proof of the climate of Central and Northern California, it deserves the regard and respect of the State also, because it is proof of a new commercial possibility. It is evidence unimpeachable that California has the greatest orange-producing area of any country in the world. The merchants of this city, the ship- builders, the railroad men, every active interest in California, the land- owners and the home-seekers from abroad, owe thanks to the men of Oroville who have joined to make this exhibit. Henceforth every year, in the holiday season, the Oroville fair will be held. As the orchards, coming on, reach bearing it will include every variety of orange, from the great Navels, weighing a pound apiece, down to the juicy mandarin and little Japanese varieties, which are no larger than an olive. It will be an annual proof that the climates of Italy and Florida are found in 44 Butte County, Caltfornu. Northern California, free from the drawbacks of each, but with all the pleasures and profits that both can yield. Oroville has the distinguished honor of being California's show-window for all the future, and let us not forget the thanks due to her far-sighted people." Dr. Westlake's Letter. Dr. G. W. Westlake, of Eed Bluflf, Tehama County, was among the visitors to the fair. Upon his return home he wrote a communication which appeared in the daily Sentinel, of Eed Bluff. From it we quote: — "But what we admired most was the beautiful grounds and ornamental trees that surround almost every home. The prolific olives, the golden orange and the silver lemon are foundin almost every yard, and the houses hidden among this variety of foliage and fruit, gives them an indescriba- ble charm of beauty. We resolved when we returned home to dig up our Lombardy Poplars that suck thd life out of the soil and litter the lanes twice a year, and then put olives in their places, extermi- nate our scraggy, snarly locusts and put out orange trees, and root up our scale-infected oleanders and put in lemons. "The number and size of orange and lemon trees were a great surprise to us. We saw many trees that were six to eight inches in diameter, from twenty to thirty feet high and the branches bent almost to breaking with the weight of luscious golden fruit, that for size and flavor are un- surpassed by any other region of the United States. But if we were sur- prised by the citrus fruits in our drives, what was our astonishment when we entered the immense exhibition building where Butte County (was holding its first citrus fair ? Imagine a building one hundred and fifty feet long, fifty feet wide and twenty-five feet to the eaves, filled, from the "round to the roof, with the greatest display of fruits ever seen on the coast. "Along either side and ends of the immense building were large tables with leaning, shelves resting upon them and running up twelve or fifteen feet high, packed with oranges, lemons, limes, persimmons, olives, "rapes, prunes, pears, apples and nuts of almost every variety known to man, dried and canned fifuits in endless variety, as fine as was ever ex- hibited; and all these were the productions of Butte County. Along down the center of the immense building were pyramids twepty feet high and ten feet in diameter, completely covered with tier after tier of citrus fruits. "In the west end was a cathedral large enough to hold an organ and choir of twenty persons, with a steeple twenty feet high, all shingled over with golden and silvery fruit. There were grottoes, cottages and great Butte County, California. 46 whirling wheels, oovei-ed with oranges and propelled by motor power that left great orange ribbons in the track of their revolutions, and all so per- fect and beautiful that they would have excited the admiration of an artist; great crates of oranges as large as header beds, and all so clean, large, bright, sweet and delicious that they would have made a Southern Californian green with jealousy. We saw ears of corn fifteen iriehes long, great pumpkins and squashes as large as wash-tubs, turnips and onions as large as peck measures, and great streaked, rosy apples the size of sugar bowls. The exhibition building was erected in the Court House square, over graceful palms and orange trees, their branches laden with ripe , glossy fruit. We saw orange trees that had buds, blossoms and oranges on them, ranging from the size of marbles up to the fully ripe fruit." An Editorial. From the Sacramento Record-Union of December 21, 1887: — " The proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof," runs the old saw. If those of ottr Southern California friends who have honestly doubted the capacity of Central and Northern California to raise citrus fruits for mar- ket; desire proof of their error, it is now at hand. Not a few of them, we regret to say, have industriously given circulation to the story that our claims in this respect are imaginary. It is true, they say, ' oranges and lemons may be grown there, but not with such success as to make the in- dusti'y commercially of value. The section is too cold and the frxiits do not properly ripen.' This has been accepted as a true statement by the majority of the people at the East and the proof of this is found in conver- sation with nearly eyery tourist who comes this way. That the false idea has been industriously promulgated, and by those who know it to be un- true, is therefore undeniable, though it is probable that it is somewhat due to the natural association of cold with the word 'northern.' Now what are the facts with which we are able to confront this error? Meteor- ologically we are able to establish by official records that the Sacramento Valley foot-hill region has tropical warmth and a higher general tempera- ture than the southern citrus belt. That within three years we have held three citrus fairs in midwinter, and shown by ocular demonstration that we can and do grow, besides all kinds of deciduous fruits, the orange, lemon, lime, olive, date, etc. One of these citrus exhibits was sent last winter to Chicago and put upon public view in that city. During the or- ange season we have shipped to the East the first marketable California oranges, and in the Eastern market they have been accepted as of high grade. We have commenced orange-grove planting; for grain and decid- 46 Butte County, California, nous fruit-growing having absorbed our attention heretofore, the cultiva- tion of citrus fruits has been neglected; in lead, until a comparatively recent date, has been with us but an avocation, and the trees cared for only as objects of ornament. But the intelligent observer realizes that the fail- ure to avail ourselves of climatic capacity in the past, is not proof of lack of that ^capacity. " Now, h^owever, citrus fruit cultivation for commerce has been largely entered upon in Central and Northern California, and the product is regu- larly quoted in distant mai'kets, while we respond to about all the demands of home consumption. At this date two new and undeniable proofs are presented of the variety of our claims. At Los Angeles, Placer, a north- ern foot-hill county, is the current week making a large exhibit of oranges, lemons, olives and othet semi-tropical products. Placer County, indeed, goes to the very heart of Southern California with the proofs of her semi- tropic climate, and the wonderful capacity of her soil, in her hands. She exhibits in Southern California ripened and ripening citrus fruits while yet the oranges and lemons of the South *hang upon the trees unfit to pluck. "At the same time, five hundred miles north of Los Angeles, Butte County, still more northern than Placer, holds a magnificent citrus fruit fair at Oroville, and that, too, practically in the open air, no more shelter being provided than a canvas tent affords. This fair our telegraphic ro- porters describe as marvelous in extent and variety, and as exceeding in its semi-tropic exhibits any yet held in all this section. It is proving, also, the advances we are making in cultivation, and that horticultural at- tention is now being turned to the introduction of the best citrus varie- ties, and the budding system, and that the object in view is no longer growth for ornament, but cultivation for the market and coin. " It will not, in the face of these evidences, be possible for those- who have denied our capacity and ridiculed the idea of a 'northern ciirus belt,' to longer continue their assaults, and retain relf-respect. The two exhibits of to-day ought to set at rest effectually, and for all time, the un- fortunate debate that has been kept alive by misrepresentation and miscon- ception. There ought to be no longer any jealousy encouraged between the sections. Such journalistic and other influences as cultivate it should be publicly rebuked. In Central and Northern California there is neitheii envy of the South entertained, nor misrepresentation of her capacity in- dulged in. In fact, we of the North are quite as proud of the capabilities and victories of the South as it can be of itself. We have for it only good will, and insist that its triumph and progress are part and parcel of our own. The State from San Diego to Shasta grows the citrus fruits in her valleys and foot-hills, and responds to the markets of the whole Eastern Butte County, California. 47 country. We are one in purpose and ability, and whoever from this time on indulges in detraction of any one section, deserves the pillory of public execration." The Associated Press Dispatch for the first day ran as follows: — LOVELY SIGHTS BUTTE COUNTy's GRAND DISPLAY OF HER PRODUCTS CITRUS AND OTHER FRUITS IN GREAT PROFUSION A MAGNIFICENT AND GORGEOUS SPECTACLE. " The arranging of the exhibits for the Citrus Fair were fully completed this afternoon, and by this evening's train three full car loads of passengei s from San Francisco and other points arrived. The fair was opened to- night and proved a great success. The pavilion was crowded almost to suffocation, and the displays of golden fruit in banks and the many artistic forms and designs mingled in greeiT foliage made the sights under the bright illumination of electric lights especially beautiful. The exclama- tions of wonder and surprise at the grand display were heard on every side, both from strangers and residents. Everybody is more than satisfied, and has reason to be. The receipts to-night were more than the mana- gers had anticipated for the entire week. " The OrovUle Excelsior Brass Band furnished excellent music through- out the evening from an elevated platform in the center of the room. A quartet club attracted the closest attention by its singing. It was entirely concealed within a unique structure representing a Gothic church, and composed of citrus fruits, having a towering steeple and stained-glass win- dows. The singers were accompanied with a cabinet organ, and the audi- ence maintained the strictest silence as they sang the opening piece, 'Nearer, M^^ God, to Thee.' " Senator Jones called the audience to order for the literary exercises, and after brief congratulatory remarks, which received loud applause, he introduced Governor Waterman. The Governor made an informal ad- dress. He referred to his mining in this vicinity in early days, commenc- ing on the Middle Fork of the Feather River in 1850, and concluding at Bidwell's Bar. He said he had visited the last-named place to-day, but all things had changed, and now the far-famed orange tree of Bidwell's Bar had taken the place of the miner's pick and rocker. That tree is the pioneer of the grand product and industry being celebrated here to-night. He said he visited this section last winter, and was satisfied that it pos- sessed as good soil and climate for orange culture as could be found in the State. The completion of the new railroad to the north opens a new and unlimited market for citrus fruits throughout the Northern and Northwest- em States and Territories. He advised every man and woman to engage 48 BoTTE County, California. in oiange growing, as it would soon become a very profitable industry, and an over-supply could not be grown. He said he would not bother much with lemons and limes, as they were very tender growers, but the orange trees were hardier and would stand more abuse than any other fruit tree grown. " Referring to his experience in orange growing, the Governor advised in planting to dig large and deep holes and fill the same with water, but in the care of the trees after setting out not to use too much water, but to induce moisture by thorough cultivation. H'e advised not to plant anything but budded trees, as they would commence to bear in two or three years, whilfe seedlings would require eight or more years before bring- ing returns. He said that, while he believed Butte County was going to rival any part of the State in jirodiicing citrus fruits, let us not feel any strife with any other section. He belonged to California,- and not to any particular corner of it. All the State was grand, and he would sooner live in the poorest place in California than in thef best place east of the Rocky Mountains. Don't tell here in Butte County, he continued, that you can beat Los Angeles or San Bernardino, but go to work and beat them with your superior fruits and products, and when you hear of any- body in the southern part of the State talking against this part of the State you may know that they are either weak-minded or real estate agents, for most of the people there are above such dishonorable condudt. Ex-Governor Perkins was then called from the audience to the stand, and made a happy speech of j;reeting to his old neighbors and friends, and congratulated them upon the grandest citrus exhibit ever made in the State, although the best yet made was but the beginning of what Butte would dc^in the future. This was showing to the people of the ice-locked East the magnificent climate and home here awaiting them, and there was room enough in old Butte for homes for all who would come. He had spent much of his life in this vicinity, and yet when he left here the peo- ple had no conception of the hidden resources about them, and which the present occasion was bringing so prominently to notice. He remembered when the bread eaten in this county was raised and ground in Chile, and it was not supposed then that wheat could be groVn here, bijt now kings, princes and all persons of the earth eat the grain shipped from Butte County. Concluding, the speaker called Hon. J. K. Luttrell for a speech, \)ut as he is to make an address to-morrow night he excused himself In doing so he made a few remarks, in which he promised the audience that if they would come and hear him to-morrow night he would convince them that America was the best country on the globe, California was the best State iii the nation, and Butte the best county in the Golden, State. He referred with Butte County, California. 49 high praise to the citrus exhibition as being without an equal, and said that if -Mother Eve had been in California, instead of the Garden of Eden, she never would have been tempted by apples, but woifld have made straight for the Oroville Citrus Fair and the Butte County oranges. This concluded the exercises for the evening, but the audience lingered in the pavilion until far after ten o'clock.'' Associated Frees Dispatch, second day: — WONDERLAND — BUTTE'S GEAND EXHIBITION OF HER PRODUCTS INCREASED INTEREST IN THE OROVILLE CITRUS FAIR THE EXHIBITION STILL FURTHER DESCRIBED ETC. " Oroville, Decembej; 22. — Hundreds of eager visitors still throng the pavilion, the United States crowded into Butte. Interest in the fair is steadily increasing. There was a grand excursion from Chico and Marys- 1 ville. Last night was the second of the fair, and the people were even more eager and enthusiastic than they were on the night previous. Many more came up on the evening train, and by eight o'clock the immense pa- vilion was entirely filled, standing being difficult. The electric light burned brighter, and the magnificent display seemed even more beautiful than ever before. " All Central and Northern California are wild with joy over the grand success of the first Butte County Citrus Fair. No longer can Southern California lay claim to all the charms in the State. We admit that they grow oranges down there, but ours are better, and we raise many other fruits, such as cherries, plums, grapes, dates, prunes, etc., that it does not pay to grow down there. " Every product known to the American Continent or Southern Europe grows to the greatest excellence here, and will pay abundantly as commer- cial products. Let Southern California take ofi' her hat and acknowledge the true citrus belt of the West. "On the excursion from Chico between three hundred and four hundred people arrived, and the town is completely filled, as there were several hundred visitors here when the last excursion came. Everybody is wild with admiration of the grand show in the pavilion. It surpasses what anybody expected. All day yesterday, last night and to-day a throng of people has filed into the pavilion, and they never seem to get tired admir- ing the exhibits. " W. S. Wise and wife, of Harper's Weekly, are here. There is more citrus-producing land in Eastern Butte than there is in all Los Angeles and San Bernadino Counties. Butte's citrus belt is fifty miles long, twenty wide, extending about thirty miles north and south of Oroville, and reach- 50 Butte County, California. ing from the edge of the valley fifteen miles into the foot-hills. The vast majority of exhibits now in our citrus fair come from this area. The three branches of the Feather Eiver flow through it, and there are about five hundred miles of irrigating ditches, each carrying from two thousand to three thousand and five hundred inches of clear, pure and cold water. All these ditches debouch at Oroville, and there are two others now under way, one to carry five thousand and the other, ten thousand inches of mountain water. They will also pass around to the east and come to the valley south of Oroville. Any ten-acre tract in this vast domain planted to citrus and deciduous fruits will handsomely support any family. . " Butte has one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four square miles, and has one million two hundred and fifty thousand acres. Five hundred thousand of it will produce from thirty to ninety bushels of grain to the acre, and three hundred thousand of it, lying along the foot-hills of Eastern Butte, are splendidly adapted to the growth of all citrus and deciduous fruits. " One of the most attractive displays in the entire exhibition is the miniature church structure erected in the center of the rear portion of the pavilion by D. K. Perkins. It is an exact model of the Congregational Church in this place, and is composed, to all appearance of the obsei-ver, entirely of oranges. The representation of a lawn about the ,churqh is made of delicate fir and cedar sprigs, and closely resembles green grass. It is set about two feet above the pavilion floor, and extends about three feet wide around the church. The church structure, rising from this, is about eight feet wide and fifteen feet long, including the steeple, which rises in front. The side walls of the model are five feet high, and extend- ing above, with natural projecting eaves, is a high Gothic roof. The sides of the building are pierced with neatly stained windows, circular cut at the top, and which are set attractively in the golden colored walls com- posed of oranges closely placed together with only a fringe of delicate cedar sprigs surrounding each, and the loof is similarly constructed, with figures of limes and lemons set in relief among the oranges. The steeple is about three feet square at the base, and with good architectural proportions, is finished with a pointed spire at twenty-five feet high and surmounted with a weather vane. The steeple is similarly constructed, with green and gold, as the body of the building, and gives the entire exhibit a unique and ex- ceedingly attractive appearance. When, added to this, the little church is lighted up and the lights seen through the stained windows, the music of quartet and organ is heard from within, singing or chanting familiar sacred pieces, the effect is striking and exceedingly ' taking ' for exhibi- tion purposes." N ,\ » » Residence op Isaac Burke, Chico, Cal. 52 Butte County, Californta. Colonies. Allusion has already been made to tlie subdivision of large tracts of land and the formation of colonies, which consist of tracts in even subdivisions from five to twenty acres, with a town in the midst or one near by. The fiist of these was begun less than one year ago, on the west bank of the Feather River, opposite Oroville, and was felicitously named — ' Thermalito. Thermalito Colony under its present name has existed but eight months, but its projectors foresaw its possibilities in the sjiring of 1886, and before placing their land on the market, planted a forty-acre orange grove, which now convinces all who see it of the capabilities of the soil and climate. In addition to this, the grounds of the Butte County In- firmaiy in Thermalito contain one hundred bearing orange trees, ten years old. This is one of the reasons for its phenomenal success, and places it ten years ahead of any enterpiise of like nature in Northern California. The great advancement of the colony is also due to the sys- tematic and business-like energy of its promoters. They have combined water and land. They have a co-operative system of labor, and while giv- ing laborers employment, will employ none who are not owners of land in the colony. They, in the beginning, fixed the price of land at the mod- erate price of $100 per acre, and have resisted the temptation to make more than a profit that will" justify their investment, and during all booms and excitements maintained the original price, though land around them has increased rapidly in value. They have strictly complied wi^h every promise made in their advertisement. The result passes belief ; a new and substantial town has been built within eight months and following the meandering trend of Featter River, and within the shadow of the famed Table Mountain, broad avenues are being worked, acres upon acres of orange groves planted, - and a scene of industry and tropical splendor greets the eye on every, side, where the once old cattle ranch existed. Among the investors are to be found some of the most experienced fruit-growers of the State, such as A. T. Hatch, the fruit king of California, and President of the State Board :of Trade; Hon. W. "W. Camron, of Oakland; W". A. Rogers, of Los Angeles; and such persons of prominence as Byron Murry, Jr., of the Bank of California; Hon. A. Yell, of Mendocino; H. K. Van Arman, of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Palermo Is beautifully situated on an elevated plain sloping gradually to the south and west. On the north is a continuation of foot-hills gradually Butte County, Califoenia. 5S elevated to the Sierras ten miles away. The soil is sandy loam mixed with clay, and is finely adapted to citrus fruits and vines. The climate is delightful the year around. The new town is' being built on the railroad, but five miles from Oroville. It has been two months since the colony was started, but its advance has been with giant strides from the beginning. The largest orange grove in the State is theie being planted. For further particulars see the advertisement on anothei page. Eio Bonito, This splendid colony tract is situated eight miles southeast of Oro- ville and three miles east of Biggs, on the Feather River. A large part of the lands subdivided were those of Hon. Marion Biggs, the present representative in Congress from this district. The soil is deep, rich, dark, sandy loam. Mammoth oaks, the only native growth, are sprinkled over it. There is no better fruit land in the State. The price at which twenty- acre tracts are being sold is quite moderate. It is a very desirable place for investment. Bead the advertisement on another page and be convinced. Ohico Vecino Is the new town recently laid off on the grand farm of General Bidwell near Chico. There one thousand acres have been subdivided into five-acre trgicts and town lots, which are being rapidly bought by those who best know their value, the citizens of Chico themselves. But General Bidwell has wisely withheld from sale every alternate block, so that persons from abroad may have equal chance with those here at home. The land is of the very finest quality for fruits and grapes, and needs no irrigation. It is surrounded by orchards on all sides. It lies adjacent to the town of Chico, where all school and church advantages are so fine. See the map and read the advertisement in another place in this pamphlet. Eosedale Is another tract adjoining the town of Chico on the south, which has been subdivided into ten-acre tracts and is being oflFered at very moderate fig- ures. The soil is exceedingly rich and adapted in the highest degree to fruit culture without irrigation. No mistake can be made in purchasing this quality of land. The advertisement whijCh appears on another page is a correct statement of the situation. Esmeralda Is another tract on the north of Chico which has been divided into ten-acre lots, and is being rapidly taken. It is of the same general char- acter as Chico Vecino and Eosedale. Henry fig, cherry, apricot, prune, mulberry, Japanese persimmons, nectarine, sugar maple, cherry plum, peach plum, English Butte County, California. -59 / walnut, pawpaw, quince, pear, ctestnut, Japanese chestnut, English hawthorne, pomegianate, orange, lime, lemon and citron trees. We have about four hundred grape vines, various varieties. In small fruits we have currants, gooseberries, raspberries and blackberries. In shrubbery ■we have the flowering acacia, althea rose, abutilon, flowering almond, oleander, lilac, laurestinus, crape myrtle, snowball, bridal wreath, varie- gated japonica, yellow rose japonica, lemon verbena, jessamine, Siberian honeysuckle, and a great variety of roses. In flowers we have eleven varieties of the lily, four of gladiolus, three of fuchsias, five of oxalis, twenty of geranium, four of ivy, two of wandeiing Jew, pinks, English and evening primrose, cowslip, verbenas, polyanthus, daisy, mignonette, heliotrope, chrysanthemum, nine kinds ; lantanna, smilax, tritoma, vio- lets, three kinds ;^ calladium, pansies, hyacinth, dahlias, twelve kinds; petunias, peonies, three kinds ; flaxonilla, matrimony, rockets, phlox, pas- sion vines, trumpet flower, Maderia vine, stock, feverfew, money plant, columbine, honesty, salvia, hollyhocks, both double and single; cactus, six kinds, and century plant, and a variety of anniials such as are found in any garden. This is all we can think of at present. The list is rather long, but you requested a full mention of them. " Yours truly, John Nicholl." Letter from Squire Due stone. The following is a letter from Mr. Wm. Dunstone, a gentleman ^ho has resided at Wyandotte, a village seven miles southeast of Oroville, for thirty years, and has served the township as Justice of Peace during al- most the entire time : — ^ " Wyandotte, Api-iM3, 1886. " Rev. Jesse Wood : Dear Sir — Yours inviting me to furnish you some items concerning 1 his vicinity was duly received. I do not think that I can help you much because no one in this vicinity makes a business of raising fruit. Our lands are devoted to grazing, for which they are well adapted. There are quite a number of small orchards, none per- ' haps exceeding four acres. These are grown principally for home use, and do not receive the attention necessary to attain the best results. "Our experience shows that we raise good apples with fair keeping qualities; but for the best results in apples our altitude is too low. In the line of stone fruits, I think that the best results can be obtained at Wyandotte. In the line of pears, we obtain as good results as I have seen, both in size and quality. The Mission grapevine appears to do well without irrigation. A vineyard set out by W. Y. Bliss, more than twenty years ago, continues to do well without irrigation, and I do not think it has ever been munuied. 60 Butte County, California. "I have a few foreign varieties — Black Prince, Tokay and Muscat — ■whicb^ear the highest reputation with those to whom I sell my grapes. I irrigate them two or three times a season. "In the line of citrus fruits, I have sixty trees that have been set out from time to time during fourteen years. We have raised them nearly all from seeds. Nine orange trees and three lime trees have borne fruit. Last year the crop was light, but the year before it was heavy as the trees could carry. The quality of the fruit is good. I have six olive- trees growing and doing well. But of olives I can say that the Hon. John C. Gray, of Oroville, has this season set out two thousand trees on his place in this vicinity, and intends to set as many more next year. I have not noticed that the low temperature has any effect on the olive however small the tree. " After having given a favorable opinion on the adaptation of our lands to stone fruits and peajrs, grapes and citrus fruits, I may add nuts. I will say also that I have a little start of liquorice. It appears to grow well. I have paid but little attention to it thus far, and, if it continues to grow so well, it will yield root for market soon. "As your letter did not state the points on which you desired me to write, I do not know whether you can get from this the matter you need? but hope you will get it in time. "Yours truly, Wm. Dunstone." OUR ADVERTISERS. We would especially invite the attention of the readers of this pamphlet to the advertising pages. They are a part of the information contained herein, and will be found of especial interest to the Eastern reader, because they give an idea of the condition of business here. In Chico we present real estate dealers, Henry (fe Diller, Camper ife Costar, and 'V. David. These gentlemen are reliable business men, old residents of the State, and first-class citizens. By correspondence with them much additional information may be obtained. In Oroville, E. Tucker, T. B. Ludlum & Co., and W. J. Green are real estate dealers, to whom the above remarks also apply. They are all gentlemen of high standing and the information they will give may be relied on as correct. Other lines of business are also represented. Three large hardware stores, Hubbard & Earll and Nicholls & Hawkins, of Chico, and Brock & Taber, of Oroville. The large mercantile house of Tickner, Burnham & Co., and the Bank of Butte County, Bank of Chico, and that of Hideout, Smith & Co., in Oroville. Indeed we may say that we have presented to our readers only a select few of the leading business men of the county, together with the colony tracts offered for sale. These advertisements are a part of the infomation contained in this pamphlet, and worthy of care- ful perusal. Advertisements. 61 mmiim mmd§, Located on tie Eastern BouMary of Oroville, 1 Milefroi tlie Conrt-House, Is what is Known as the Pleasant Valley Tract, So called from its delightful location, its sunny slopes and dells, and the productiveness of its soil. This land is situated about one hundredteet above the Sacramento Valley. Its topog- raphy is beautifully varied, the land is gently undulating, and from it is commanded a magnificent view of the surrounding country. The Sierras to the north and east protect the products from the cold north winds, should such occur. To the south for many miles the eye rests on rolling foot-hills, until the gaze is lost in the broad expanse of the valley. To the west, Oroville, with the receding Feather Eiver meandering toward the sunset; the charming Sacramento Valley, with the Coast Range as a background, ail unite to form a landscape picture of unrivalled beauty. This Land is for Sale in Lots from 3 to 20 Acres, BY F. TUCKER, OPiOVILLE, CA.L. Also a large list of valuable lands for Fruit Farming, Pasture and Colony purposes-, among which are the following:— 80 ACEES, 7 miles from Oroville and 1 mile from railroad; level and in culti- vation; no buildings; $25 per acre. I 60 ACEES near the above, all in cultivation; house, barn, etc.; school con- venient; good roads; $30 per acre. ' I OO ACEES, with bam and small house; allin cultivation; 6 miles from Oroville. 240 ACRES; level, mostly bottom; oranges on adjoining lands; 7 miles from Oroville; $35 per acre. $3,000 «"11 Ijuy 125 acres 1 mile from the above, with new barn, small house, wind-mill, etc. ; ^ cash, balance ] year, 9 per cent. 320 ACRES, 12 miles from Oroville; house of 5 rooms; stable; good orchard; excellent springs, affording a stream of permanent water. This is a stock ranch, but excellent for fruit— $2,500. 8 ACRES, 4 mile of Oroville; 6-roomed house; barn, carriage house, etc.; good .water; orchard, including one dozen bearing orange — $2, ISO. SS" The following are tracts at an altitude of about 800 feet; are sheltered and well suited for growing the orange and other semi-tropical fruits; 6 to 9 miles from railroad. 480 ACRES, 10 miles from Oroville, in the foot-hills; 70 acres in cultivation; all fenced; house of 6 rooms; barn and sheds; family orchard, including bearing orange trees; numerous springs; an excellent one at the house; this is a good fruit and stock ranch; splendid climate. Price, $4,800; J cash. 40 ACRES on public road; all smooth land which can easily be plowed, except about 5 acres; no improvements. Price, $600. I 600 ACRES, with deep red soil; 100 acres in alfalfa, 400 in grain, balance timber; all well fenced; bearing orange on the premises; plenty water; $S5 per acre. S, r:t\SAN KUStocMor* b Lafhrcp j^W/gri^Z^cdjft^ Adveutisembnts. 6S Chico Vecino! BUTTE COUNTY, CAL. OF THE Central and Choicest Part of the Famous Now Offered for Sale in Subdivisions. This Tract Adjoins the Flburishing City of Chico, ASD IS Widely Known as the Property of General John Bidwell. This site is pre-eminently fitted for beautiful suburban homes, since for beauty of location, commanding views of valley and mountain scenery, calubrity of climate, fertility of soil, and contiguity to fine shady roads and Sharming drives, it has, we are persuaded, no equal in this or any other tate. The subdivision has been made to suit large and small purchasers, the tracts ranging in size from lots 90x200 feet up to 20-acre blocks. A prombitory clause against the manufacture and sale of intoxicants, will be a condition precedent in every conveyance. TERMS OF SALE.— Cash; in special cases half cash, remainder in one and two years at six per cent interest and taxes. For further particulars, maps, etc., address CAMPER & COSTAR, Agents, CHICO, IBixtte County, Cal-, OR W. H. MARTIN, 809 Market St.. San Francisco. • 64 Advertisements. THE Home of the Orange, Olive, Vine and Fig! This is the First and Finest Colony Tract OFFERED FOR SALE IN BUTTE COUNTY, And Is Justly Famous for Its Products. VTe Challenge Comparison on tlie .FoUowlns Points: BEAUTY OF LOCATION, Water Supply and Power and Amount of Improvement, And Have no Superior in Soil and Climate. We sell land at $ioo per acre, with free water for three years, and at lo cents per miner's inch for twent\ -four hours thereafter, reducirg cost of irrigation to a minimum. The finest opportunity for investment in the State. A lo-year-old Orange Grove on the tract, and ^ 60 acres now in orchard, 400 acres being now planted. Come and see for yoursf-lves. A $20,000 hotel, now half completed, in process of erection. Twenty familieslocated since June, 1887. This tract was selected by twenty prominent citizens of Oroville as offering the best situation for an orange grove, in 1886, now known as the Oroville Citrus Associat'on's Orchard, and the Supervisors of the county located the County Infirmary on the north of the tract, in 1878, as a desirable and healthy place. Don't fail to visit Thermalito ' while in Northern California. Thermalito Colony Co. (An incorporation), Oroville, Oal. W. W. GAMRON, Agent, Oakland. Advertisements. 65 The Following is a Deseription of the Colony's Exhibit at the Butte County Citrus Fair of 1887. THE THERJVEALITO liXHIBIT. Near the center of the building is the exhibit made from the ThermaHto Colony grounds, which is one of the most striking and effective in the fair. It is displayed under the wide-spreading leaves of a magnificent palm tree, standing twenty feet in height;and growing in full vigor. Under its tropical spread is suspended a hammock covered with pep- per and holly branches, and upon these are thrown in care- less profusion oranges, lemons, and pomaloe's, over which are scattered leaves and branches of olives, thickly sprinkled with fine ripe olive fruits The hammock is filled to over- flowing, and, in its long, golden sweep,' looks restful and bewitching. At each corner of the ThermaHto exhibit are smaller palm trees, and around and within the inclosure is a nursery exhibit oV about 5,000 orange plants, from seeds planted last spring, also a variety of tropical and ornamental trees, such as sapodilla: (a variety of palm), cocbanuts, ba- nanas, pepper, century plants, pineapple, cypress, etc. Ascending at one side of a large palm tree is a citrus ladder, the side-bars of oranges and the rounds of lemons. Also, over 400 oranges and lemOns arranged in various other designs. The exhibit also includes Washington Navel orange trees and lemon trees of about seven feet growth and only seven months from the bud. They grew at the ThermaHto Colony nurseries, and not a particle of frost effects are visible on any of the foliage in the colony grounds. The inclosure of the exhibit is faced by large lithographic and photographic views of the colony grounds, and suspended over it with orange letters on purple, is the word " ThermaHto," and on another motto of evergreen letters on white, "Welcome to Our Citrus Fair." 3 \ 66 Advertisements. A. L. NICHOLS. WM. HAWKINS. ' V -DEALERS IN- Harflware, FariDg MplenifiDls, Tinware, Stoves, Faints, Oils, EJtc. SOLE AGENTS FOR Oliver Single and Cassaday Gang Plows, Channpion, iVIcCormick and Crown Mowers, Mitchell Wagons and Buggies, Hodges and Case Headers. A COMPLETE STOCK OF PLOW AND MACHINE EXTRAS ALWAYS ON HAND. Windmills, Tanks and Water Troughs A SPECIALITY. All kinds of shop work done at short notice. NICHOLS tt HAWKINS, . JK. PBBKISS. JHEKBY WIS£, C. W. MCAFEE, A. S. UAIiDWIK. 7 The Gem Colony of the Northern Citrus Belt. Unpralleleil in Point of Climate and Lanilscaiie Beanty. This beautiful colony, consisting of 2,000 acres, surrounding the new town of Palermo, 5 miles south of Oroville, Butte County, Cal., Subdivided into Tracts of from 1 to 20 Acres Each, IS NOW OFFERED FOR SALE At Prices Ranging from $70 to $100 Per Acre. Land is level and the soil is a deep, rich, red, gravelly loam, especially adapted to both citrus and deciduous fruits. WATER IS PIPED TO EVERT LOT, And will be furnished FREE for irrigation for FOUR years to all who commence to cultivate before July, 1889. Palermo Has the Largest Orange Grove in the State. Depot, Hptel, and all Aeeommodations on the Land. TERMS OF SALE.—Only One-fourth Cash. Balance in from 1 to 4 years, at purchaser'soption. Interest, 7 percent. Palermo City Lots $50 to $225 Eacli. Size, 50x150. SESin FOR CIRCITIiAKM. McAFEE BROS., General Agents, 10 Montgomery Street, S. F- Oroville Agents, - - T. B. LUDLUM & CO. 68 Advertisements. BANK OF BUnE COUNTY, OHICO, Oal. Capital Stock, - - - 8^250,000 N. D. RIDEOUT, ----- President F. C. LUSK, ----- Vice-President CHAS. FAULKNER, - - - - Cashier ON London and San Francisco Bank (Limited). RIDEOUT & SIVIITH, Marysville. On Drexel, Morgan & Co., N. Y., Available in all Principal Cities of the Uniou. Bspoiiti l0eil?@i Sibjid t® 6li@k @i Sp@ekl !D@p@3lt< Purclnases County and State Securities, Certificates of neoo'sit and Other Exchange at Current Kates, And Transacts a General Banking Business- Advertisements. 69 C. H. IIUBItARD, Sacramentq. "WM. EABIil^, Cliico. Corner First and Broadway, cmco, Cal., J DKALEI\^S IN , Hardware, Iron, Steel, Coal, Hardwood; Barbed Wire, Nails, Tinware, Crockery, Rifles and Shot Guns, BAIN FARM WAGONS. We havjp on hand for the Fall trade a full flupply of all sizes and designs of ^ PARLOR AND BOX STOVES. Superior Stoves and Ranges in Every Size and Style. As we have sold them for thirteen years, wfi can still ifeuarautee them as the best on the Coast. Eureka Gang Plows, Oassady Gang Plows, (^iant Fowder, Caps, Fnse, Sbot, Plow Points, Hlonld Boards, [tSeed Sowers, Harrows, and Bxtras of all Kinds, AT KEGTJLAK RATES. 70 Advertisements. MILTON J. GREEN, Real Estate Agent, OFFICE: Myers Street, opposite Union HoteL Dealer in Lands Located in the Famous Oroville Citrus Belt. Lands suitable for, the cultivation of all kinds of citrus fruits, fig, and vine, and olive, for sale in quantities to Suit. Town property for sale or to rent. All inquiries concerning this portion of Cali- fornia cheerfully answered. \ ■ lOISl, CHAS. N. JOHNSON, - Proprietor, 327 Broadway, Cor. Second Street, CPMCO, Cal. Good Board and Pleasant Rooms. . All StagesStopDailyatthis House. Free Bus from all trains. MEALS, 25 Cents; ROOMS, 25 and 50 Cents. ADVERTrsEMENTS. 71 & The White House, Ills Largest UMmi in kHisrn E Am, Buying all Kinds of Country Products, and Selling all Kinds of Merchandise. OUR STOCK IS COMPLETE IN staple and Faney Groeeries, Crockery, Glass and Silverware, Hiiquors, Faints and Oils, Etc. DRY GOODS, FANCY GOODS AND NOTIONS. Oiothing, Furnishing Goods, Hats and Caps, Men's. Ladies' and Children's Boots and Shoes. MERCHANT TAILORING. £)ur extensive business brings us in daily communication with the principal markets, which enables us to quote the best prices for Grain, Hides, Wool, etc. Corner ■ThirdL £in.d IVIain Streets, CHICO. 72 Advertisements. J. ai. BBOCK, Oakland. \ VIM^D IXBEtt, QrOTll^t BROCK & TAfeER, Dealers in Light and Heavy h: J5^ R X) "w j^ R E , Fire-arms and Ammunition, Agricultural Implements, House Furnishing Hardware, Stoves, Tinware and Crocliery. MANUKACTURERS OK IRR I GATING PIPE A Complete Stock of all Sizes of "W^ater Pipe and Fitting^s. CONSTANTLY ON HAND. Advertisements. 7a PHCENIX STABLES, WHITE & SNOOK, !E*ropr ie tors . HT n- First-Class Single and Double Teams, Special Attention Given to Transient Stock. Corner of Main and Second Streets^ CHICO, Cal, 74 Advettisements. LOUIS GLASS. T. B. LUDLUM. Real Estate Agents, OltOVILLE, Butte Co., nd prices, acc( also vacant lots in desit CHICO, Butte County, ^arms for sale of all sizes and prices, according to quality and location. Town property, improved; also vacant lots in desirable location. Correspondence solicited. Cal. E. W. FOGG, Cashier, Oor Miontgomery and Nleyers Streets, Highest Price Paid for Gold Dust. DRAFTS ISSUED ON Ijondon and San Francisco Bank (Limited), EiDEOUT & Smith, Oalifobnia State Bank, Bank of Butte Countv, Deexel, Mokgan & Co., San Francisco. Maryaville. - Sacramento. Chico. - New York. Jnrcliasfis Connty aM State Secnrities, Certiflcates of Deposit and Ex- cliange, anil Transacts a Cfeneral Banking Business. Office Hoiirs, from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M. Send for Another. Give this pamphlet to your neighbor, and send for another to anyone whose name and address you find in its pages. We are all ready to ac- commodate you. Call to see us when you come to California, and we shall be glad to show you the country. RYEM'S AmETENE KeMEB -i^T/L/?/2/MANUFACTURED KT^lTLn^^ OROVILLE, BUTTE CO., CAL., U. S. A -^-UNDER THE PERSONAL SUPERVISION OF- O. F. F-RYER^, Proprietor- ^""""PINUS SlANA't I' (TDBE FOUND WIIHEIICH ABIETENE can only be produced on the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas in California, at an elevation of 6,000 > ■ ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO - tra trt f^ •-ra F. FRYER, Oroville, Cal., U. 3\ 'ai@ I HENRY & DILLER, sy. iir~^ '^■^- M ^^^ --^fe U. ^^G-EDSTTS. 1 |F®®t| d!i ;FARMS, I FRUIT ! Ij.A]tfDS,|m) '?tT' Dj TOWH PBOFIBTY. f^^- — -^Lriruo V/ ^ 'v^--^ HENRY & DILLER, Wa^ Second Street, 4|?V GHICO, CAL. 4.\ Cornell University Library F 868B8 W87 Butte County California : its resources olin 3 1924 028 881 246 ftiiA^^^i'- ■f''^i^^&HBifii:df'^,^.' •