hills are well adapted to fruits and vines. The summers of Gilroy are warmer and drier than in San José. The cool winds from the Bay are materially softened as they sweep down the valley, and the differences of temperature between the day and night are not so marked. The air is mild and balmy, and the nights agreeably cool and pleasant.

The watercourses within the county greatly diminish, when they do not wholly disappear, in the summer., Sinking as they approach the valley, they augment the subterranean resources which supply the artesian wells. These are found all over the valley. They are usually from sixty to one hundred feet in depth, though some find a larger and more permanent supply at a much greater depth. The water is raised by windmills into tanks, and is ample for household and gardening purposes. About Alviso, and near the Bay, hundreds of acres of strawberries and of vegetable gardens are irrigated from these wells, and the water rises to the surface with such force that the most massive appliances are required to restrain the flow.

Of the fruit product of this county, it is impossible to speak accurately-difficult to speak instructively. The orchards in bearing are generally increasing in their yield, and will continue so to do for many years; while extensive areas are coming into bearing, and the planting of new orchards and vineyards is constantly going on. In fact, the system of summer culture, which renders irrigation unnecessary, makes all the arable land in the county available for fruit. In view of these facts, estimates would be but the merest of conjecture. One thing may be said that all the fruits of the temperate zone, and most of the semi-tropical fruits, are now grown in the greatest perfection, and in quantities which tax to the utmost the resources and labor attainable to gather and preserve them. Orange trees have been grown for many years in this county; in San José more for ornament than for fruit; generally seedlings, and with no care as to either selection or

culture. In the vicinity of San José, considerable groves have been growing for twenty years, producing abundant crops of well flavored fruit. The citrus fairs held last year in San José and other places, showed the very extensive sections where these fruits were being successfully grown; and this, with the stimulus of a market, has induced the planting of orange trees throughout the warm belt in this county. That these trees will grow, and luxuriantly, and that they are not affected by the frost, is established; and that certain varieties will mature excellent fruit, seems more than probable. If, however, it shall be found wanting in the flavor or qualities of the oranges of Tahiti or Florida, it is because it does not have the long hot season-the burning days and sweltering nights-of those countries. I question whether it would be desirable to accept that climate, though with it we could secure this single production.

The great and increasing extent of the fruit production, the fact that over much of the State it is being prosecuted with energy, suggests the frequent inquiry, "Where is the future market for all this to be found?" This is the inquiry that at some stage of development confronts every form of industrial enterprise, whether the product of the soil or the result of manufacture. The subject is too extensive and too intricate to here receive but the briefest consideration. The fruit product of this State is the result of special climatic conditions existing within restricted limits. Unlike manufactures, this form of production cannot be extended by either art or enterprise. Upon the other hand, the consumers will be found wherever any industry can be maintained, or men can exist. If, then, fruit production shall increase in geometrical ratio, nature has fixed the limits, within which this progression must cease, while no such bounds exist to the range of consumption. Farther than this, experience and invention are constantly diminishing the cost of production, and thus

enlarging the class of consumers. If wheat and wool, staples of the world, and everywhere grown, are rarely found in excess of profitable production, it may fairly be assumed that these special products of California, thus limited as to area, and restricted as to conditions, will be always a profitable industry. The question, however important, is at present but one of speculation, and time alone can give the full solution.

Dependent as this region is upon the regular rains of winter, the knowledge that these sometimes fail, makes the subject of rainfall one of much anxious consideration. There is a theory that the seasons move in cycles of twelve years, passing by regular gradation from a maximum to a minimum rainfall in that period, and culminating in a season of floods at one extreme, and of drought at the other. The obser

tive consequences of the past are not likely to follow. The industry of the State was then cattle-raising, and the country was stocked to its fullest capacity. With a drought, the short-lived natural grasses failed. The watercourses dried up, and as no

vations of the last few years do not fully support this theory of a gradual transition, although records extending back to the year 1805 seem to indicate that the twelfth year is deficient in rain. Should these dry years recur in the future, the disastrous and destruc

pro

vision was made for supplying either, the cattle perished by thousands. At present the land is more profitably utilized in other pursuits, and cattle are comparatively few, and for these, some provision can be made. Trees and vines, though their product may be

diminished, are not destroyed by a drought, however severe. Large areas of irrigated iands will furnish vast supplies of forage food, and the reclaimed sections contribute in the same direction; while railroads transport these products as needs may require.

A further consideration-the possible effect of artificial conditions upon rain-fall-may be worth estimating. It has been often asserted that the cutting off of the forests of the Sierras and the Coast Range would diminish the rain-fall, and in other ways prove detrimental to the moisture supply. If this as a consequence of such denudation follows anywhere, it may be doubted whether it does here.

In almost every instance the removal of the timber is followed by a dense growth of young trees, or of thicket, and the effect of this, either as inducing precipitation, or retaining moisture, must be fully equal to that of the larger, but scattering, trees thus replaced. Further than this, in the valley of San Joaquin, hundreds of square miles of prairie and plains are now, by irrigation, thoroughly saturated, and from waters that had their former evaporation surface in the area of a comparatively small lake. On the slopes of the Sierras the same causes are at work. Water stored in immense reservoirs, is conducted in canals to thousands of acres of orchards and of vineyards. These causes, large at present, and constantly enlarging, cannot but produce some effect upon the rain-fall of this coast. Regions that before absorbed the moisture, now by their own evaporation contribute to it, and induce precipitation. If it be argued that these causes are inadequate to the results suggested, it may be replied that forest and prairie fires, the burning of cities, the firing of cannon, are known to be followed by copious rains. The meteorological conditions that accompany a saturated atmosphere are often very nearly in equilibrium, and a very slight disturbing cause may determine for or against precipitation. The causes I have indicated, are neither transitory nor insignificant. They embrace

areas equal in extent to States, and are affecting in a marked degree the temperature and climate of these extensive regions. If any consequences shall follow from these changes, every reason seems to indicate, they will be found in an increased rain-fall, and against the recurrence of drought.

The population of the county is about 45,000; its assessed valuation, $40,000,000. By the subdivision and sale of the larger tracts, population, improvement, and values are rapidly advancing.

In this description of the capabilities and climate of Santa Clara Valley, I have substantially described San José; for this is her environment, these are her resources, this the rich setting, of which the." Garden City" is the central gem. San José is located in the heart of the Valley of Santa Clara, fifty miles south of San Francisco, and eight from tide water at Alviso, and is ninety feet above the level of the sea. Its political existence began in the establishment by a party of Mexican soldiers, in November, 1777, of the Pueblo of San José de Guadaloupe; while in the same year the Franciscan Friars established in the same locality the Mission of Santa Clara. The growth of the place, as shown by the records, was slow, and its history uneventful until the Mexican war, when it became the theatre of some adventures connected with the occupation by the Americans of the country. With the gold discovery the quiet pueblo assumed a new life. The hosts of emigrants drawn hither from every part of the world could not be insensible to the advantages and attractions of this section, and population and improvement increased rapidly. In 1849 it was made the capital of the State, and the legislature of that year here convened. From that date there has been a steady and sustained increase in population, wealth, and improvement, and to-day San José is the fifth city in the State, and numbers a population of 20,000, with an assessed property valuation of $11,

000,000.

The streets of the city are broad; the roadways a solid, smooth, and compacted bed of gravel and clay; the sidewalks wide and well paved. The business portions of the town are of brick, substantial and sightly. Its water supply is from a stream in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and is fine and abundant. The streets and squares are lighted by electricity. Gas is generally employed for interior illumination. A sewer of the most approved plan and durable material, and of capacity for a city of a million inhabitants, traverses the city at a depth of from twelve to twenty feet, and connects with tide water near Alviso.

are to-day a garden of flowers. With a few years' growth for the trees, this plat will be a stately park of the future. The Convent of Notre Dame, under the charge of the Sisters of that name, is located in the heart of the city. Its grounds are extensive, and maintained in exquisite order, and its buildings capacious. Here from two to three hundred scholars from every part of the coast are to be found, and the reputation of the school is second to none in the State. In Santa Clara a flourishing school is conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. Pupils are here received without distinction as to creed. The thoroughness

each, and furnish all the accommodation required. The schools are open through the whole year, and are maintained in the very highest state of efficiency. Very many families from abroad make their residence here for the advantages afforded by these schools for the education of their children.. The Normal School, maintained by the State, has an average pupilage of over three hundred. The edifice is an imposing structure, built of brick, and stands in the center of a tract of thirty acres. donated by the city to the State. The extensive grounds

and practical efficiency of the methods here pursued is evidenced by the fact that among its graduates are to-day to be found leading men of the State in every walk of professional and political life. Less than two miles to the north of San José, and connected with it by pleasant drives and street cars, is the University of the Pacific, under the special patronage of the Methodist Church. Here, also, students are received without distinction as to creed. It has at present over three hundred students, and the attendance is steadily increasing. The thoroughness which has always

characterized its management, and the liberality exhibited by members of this church, assures its position among the first of the educational institutions upon this coast; and the well-kept grounds, green hedges and groves, among which the buildings are placed, present a sylvan scene of singular attractiveness. Twelve miles to the north is the proposed site of the university established by Governor Stanford, in memory of his son. Here nature seems to have exhausted herself in embellishing what is yet to be crowned by art. The forethought of the founder has already secured the es

All the creeds of the world, Christian and pagan, are represented in San José. St. Joseph's Church, upon Market Street, is one of the most substantial and beautiful church edifices in the State. It is in charge of the Jesuit Fathers, who here exhibit all the administrative ability which Loyola impressed upon his order, the fervid zeal which burned in Xavier, the "Apostle of the Indies." Among the larger of the religious societies are to be found the Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Hebrew. These church edifices are upon the principal

tablishment and maintenance of this institution beyond any contingency, while his munificent endowment places it in resources in the first rank of educational institutions; and the executive ability and energy of its projector guarantee the speedy and thorough accomplishment of his plans. Alike as a memory, or a benefaction, the Stanford University is destined to stand first among the foremost on the scroll that bears the names of Yale, of Harvard, and of Dartmouth, and the venerable universities of the Old World.

streets, are commodious within, and ornamental without. The societies are flourishing, their members earnest and active. Professing distinctive creeds, they yet exhibit no spirit of bigotry or intolerance. In financial enterprises they cheerfully assist each other. In every effort looking to the advancement of general morality, or the public good, all-pastors and laymen-are found in full and earnest co-operation. Sunday is here observed as in most Eastern cities as a day of rest. Secular business is suspended, and