SANTA ROSA 245 



had a climate that was not well adapted to these 

 experiments. I had been advised of conditions 

 by letter, of course, from time to time, and had 

 also read such books and articles dealing with 

 California as could be found, so had rather clear 

 notions as to what to expect. 



The spirit of dogged persistency and of obsti- 

 nate effort in the face of difficulties is a New 

 England heritage. 



Whatever the son of Puritan ancestors may 

 lack, he is almost sure to have a full endowment 

 of the basal instincts of "sticking to it.' 



THE LAND or PROMISE 



I fully appreciated the natural advantages 

 and beauties of the country to which I had come. 

 Letters of the period, as preserved by my 

 mother and sister, are filled with enthusiasm 

 over the marvels of the new land. I may quote 

 one of these letters as showing the impression 

 that California made upon me, and the oppor- 

 tunities that it appeared to offer for carrying 

 out my treasured project, if ever means could 

 be found to make a beginning. 



"Santa Rosa is situated," I wrote, "in a mar- 

 velously fertile valley containing one hundred 

 square miles. I firmly believe from what I 

 have seen that this is the chosen spot of all 



