We are not offering you land that has not been thoroughly tested to produce what we ailvcrti.se. 

 Neither are we offering you hog wallows, salt grass and alkali flats ; but we offer you a block out of one of 

 the richest fields of California. As to health, we challenge the whole world to surpass us. Our locality 

 is free from malaria ; and fogs in summer and autumn are unknown in this dry and equable climate. 

 Not only is our locality free from fog, and fanned by the gentle invigorating sea-breezes from the south 

 and southwesj, but we are protected from the harsh, desiccating northwest winds, offering a retreat 

 to the weak aad ailing; and its rich and attractive location contributes greatly to its charms. 



For scenic beauty it has but few, if any, superiors in California. Standing at the lake, or on any 

 other elevated point on the Colony, a most inspiring panorama is presented to the eye. The vision 

 reaches one hundred and fifty jniles south and east, and takes in the ever snow-capped Sierra Nevada; 

 thence south and southwest we follow the long blue line of the Coast Range to the Mt. Diablo, one 

 hundred and thirty miles to the northwest, in the vicinity of San Francisco. Looking to the north and 

 east, you see looming up the grand Sierra Nevada, with its mantles of perpetual snow, seemingly so 

 near in the pure air that, although it is one hundred miles to the summit, strangers are almost tempted 

 to quit the green colony fields and visit them as an afternoon stroll. 



A fine school-house has been erected on the Colony, at a cost of $5,000, and is now in good working 

 order. Trees of one and two years' growth border most of the aveues, including Palms, Locust, 

 Olive, Magnolia, Eucalyptus, Mulberry, etc., etc. 



Under our irrigation system the owner of the land purchases water from the Canal Company 

 which is filed in the County Recorder's books, and is then inseparable from the land, and is always 

 conveyed as a part of the realty. 



We now offer you this land, together with perpetual water-right, at from $150 to $200 per acre, 

 according to quality and location. No land will be deeded to any persons except actual settlers. As 

 inducements to families, we will plow and prepare the land ready for planting, as our aim is to settle 

 these lands with families. Payments may be made in installments to suit purchasers. We make the 

 following liberal offer to those who do not feel able to pay cash for the land : The purchaser is to build 

 and occupy a neat and substantial cottage; also build all needed outhouses, paint or whitewash the 

 same, and plant the land to such trees and fruits as may be agreed to be the best. This done the first 

 payment will be deferred for five years, one-quarter to be paid annually thereafter. Said sum agreed 

 to be paid to bear eight per cent interest per annum from date of sale. Deed will be given purchaser 

 when he builds and plants, and the purchase price secured by mortgage on the premises. A family 

 with from $1,500 to $2,000 to make their improvements can settle down and safely wait until their fruits 

 or raisin vineyard come into bearing. The whole purchase price should be produced from the lands 

 the fifth year. 



For those who have not experience, or are desirous of avoiding the expense of team and tools, we 

 will plant, cultivate, irrigate and care for their orchard and vineyard until it comes into bearing. It 

 will be worth about $25 per acre to furnish and plant the first year, and $10 to $15 per acre each year 

 thereafter. The above figures mean compensation for good, first-class work. 



We have already some fine planted tracts for sale, embracing Raisin Vineyards, that will come into 

 bearing next year (1891), also young Orange Groves, as well as deciduous Fruit Orchards. We also aim to 

 keep a vacant cottage on the Colony, for the accommodation of each newcomer until such time as he 

 can build on a lot of his own choice. Deciduous Fruit Trees can be planted commencing January 1st, 

 and as late as the 1st of April. Orange Trees in March and April. Grape vines, rooted or cuttings, 

 should be planted in February or March. Peaches and Apricots will bear light crops the third year. 

 Pears, Almonds, Figs and Oranges will begin to bear the fourth year. Raisins begin to bear, from the 

 cuttings, in the third year. One year's time is gained bj planting rooted vines. It is safe to expect $50 

 per acre the third year from rooted vines, and $100 per acre the fourth year, at least, gross product. 

 A respectable cottage should be built, with from four to five rooms, at a cost of from $500 to $800; barn, 

 $200. One pair of horses and harness, $150 ; milch cow, $25 ; tools, $25 ; wood is high, $7 per cord ; 

 flour, $3 to $4 per barrel of 200 Ibs. ; beef, from 6 cts. to 10 cts. per Ib. ; hens, from $5 to $7 per dozen ; 

 eggs, from 25 cts. to 50 cts. per dozen ; building lumber, $25 per M. in the valley or farming sections of 

 the State. Male labor on the farm, $30 per month, except four or five months in the summer, when 

 they receive $1.50 to $2 per day. Female labor has never beeii ample, and commands from $20 to $30 

 per month. Families coming out here can bring with profit all clothing, bed-clothing, table cutlery 

 and such articles as would not be bulky. Large furniture or farming implements will not bear 

 transportation . 



The vfery favorable conditions existing for small farming in this rich valley of California, where 

 water can be obtained to render crops certain, are not generally known in the East and Europe. For 

 instance, our breadstuff's (wheat) must be shipped around Cape Horn to Liverpool to find a market. 

 Beef and pork the same. Our wool also has to go around the Horn or across the Continent. The 

 consequence is that the fruit farmer eats the cheapest bread and beefsteak of any people in the world. 

 Our woolen mills are able to furnish the finest and cheapest clothing worn. Labor is high, and 

 everything the small farmer produces is high, including poultry, vegetables and fruit, and will always 

 be so. The big farmer can't get at this business with his steam engine and long sickle. We can close 

 Europe and the United States out of the fruit-producing business, and force them to become consumers. 

 Why ? Because of the certainty of our crops, and because we have the whole valley for a drying house. 



Address or call upon the undersigned, owners and proprietors, 



V. C. W. HOOPER &. SON, 



MERCED, MERCED COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 



