342 Transactions of the 



this variety, and the grapes were very large and fine flavored. In this 

 vineyard we noticed the salt grass growing most luxuriantly, indicating 

 the presence of alkali, which, however, seemed to produce no visible 

 effect on the vines or fruit. 



We also noticed here fig trees of the large purple variety, full of fruit, 

 in all stages of growth, from the size of a kernel of corn to the full sized, 

 ripe, and luscious fig. At Sacramento the second crop of fruit all ripened 

 on this variety of trees some three weeks since, and no more is starting. 

 This difference in bearing must be attributable to the difference of climate 

 and supply of moisture to the roots. 



It being now near night, and Mr. Roberts wishing to save all the time 

 he could and enable his guests to see as much as possible of interest by 

 daylight, headed the Victor for 



THE WEBB TRACT, 



A large piece of swamp land in Contra Costa County, fronting on the 

 south bank of the west channel of the San Joaquin River for some 

 twenty-five miles, and running back to the high lands. It contains about 

 fifteen thousand acres, and is owned by Eoberts, Kimball, and MeMur- 

 try, who are driving forward the work of reclamation as fast as possible. 

 One advantage this tract has over those on islands is that it runs back 

 to high lands, and in times of very high water stock can be very easily 

 driven to these lands for safety. Another is that the expense of recla- 

 mation will be less, requiring a levee onl3 r on one side. We notice the 

 owners fully appreciate these advantages, as they hold the land at one 

 hundred dollars per acre for the entire tract. The levee is being con- 

 structed here by machinery. There are two steam machines at work by 

 the job or contract at ten cents per cubic yard. 



THE ROBERTSON MACHINE 



Works very similarly to the ordinary dredging machines. It is trans- 

 ported on a scow which floats in the canal made by the excavation. It 

 cuts the canal or ditch twelve feet wide and four feet deep at one swath, 

 and deposits the earth on one side in the shape of a rough levee, which 

 is afterward faced up with the shovel by Chinamen. It does its work 

 well and makes on an average about three hundred and twenty running 

 feet of levee in a day. Considering that this machine is the first and 

 only one built under the patent, it is a good success and promises to 

 become valuable to its owner, and very useful in the reclamation of the 

 tule land. 



THE ROBERTS MACHINE 



Is moved on wheels, laying and taking up its track as it goes. It cuts 

 four feet wide and four feet deep at a swath, elevating the earth by an 

 endless chain elevator, and depositing it on the opposite side of the ditch 

 from that occupied by the machine. To widen the ditch and increase 

 the levee it rej)eats the swaths, lengthening the elevator and depositing 

 the earth each time on the top of the first deposit. We did not see this 

 machine work, but were assured by Mr. Kimball that it was generally 

 considered as a more promising one than the other. 



