82 PROCEEDINGS OF TWENTY-SIXTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



before the trees grew tall; and overlooks the valley of the San Gabriel 

 River. Across, at the point of the gap made by this stream through the 

 hills on its way to the ocean, lie the ruins of the first San Gabriel Mis- 

 sion, from which comes the name of the valley and river. About a mile 

 below our ranch stands the old mansion of Don Pio Pico, the last 

 Mexican Governor of California, by whom all the land in the neighbor- 

 hood was once owned. It was the smallest and favorite of all his great 

 ranches, his ranchito, and a small part of this dear "little ranch," which 

 then comprised about eight thousand acres, he sold to its present owner. 

 Since 1832 the old Don himself and ourselves have been the only ones 

 in possession. There is indeed one spot on the ranch which has never 

 known a plow until this day. 



The valley through which the San Gabriel flows is likened by 

 travelers to those rich valleys of the Orient, especially Palestine. The 

 Oriental corn, wine, and oil are known here, only with a difference. 

 Of corn we«ohose that with the Indian understanding, the vineyard is 

 fading into the alfalfa field, while we dig for oil instead of growing it; 

 and the olive tree gives place to the orange, and the fig to the walnut. 



Our Puente hills are filled with petroleum, for to the east lies the 

 famous Whittier oil-fields, and their derricks take the place of cathedral 

 spires. 



We had a chapel once connected with the old gubernatorial man- 

 sion, but the derrick is the thing now suggesting worship which is 

 allowed to stand. This chapel, with its frescoes and chime of bells, was 

 given to the roadmaster to make a culvert out of, so that now those 

 going to Los Angeles by the carriage road literally travel over historic 

 soil. 



The old mansion of the Governor barely escaped the same fate, but 

 it is now being watched by the Southern California Landmarks Club, 

 and will no doubt be preserved from vandalism. 



Across the river on the bluff or mesa is a battleground where was 

 fought the battle of the San Gabriel, and where howitzer shells have 

 since been picked up. 



So it is to be seen that in beauty and fertility, romantic interest, and 

 plain every-day utilitarianism, Ranchito del Fuerte is not behind other 

 places contained in our happy valleys of the South Land. 



