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After having been driven perhaps only five minutes through one of the 

 most beautiful drives in the State, we came to a flour mill, a very large 

 structure, and between the mill and a cannery of similar build, we were 

 driven into an outer field in the direction of the foothills. Soon we came 

 within full view of a very large orchard, in which were observed trees of 

 almost every kind. To our right were apricots, to our left peaches, as 

 healthy as any as it is one's fortune to look upon. Going beyond, we came 

 to a large orchard of almonds, which compared favorably with any grown 

 anywhere, and we were more gratified in this belief upon being told that 

 their production was equally as good. Going a little further, we came to a 

 large vineyard, the production of which, so Mr. Gray informed us, had 

 always been manufactured into raisins, and that not a single grape had 

 ever been turned into wine. This information was met with a hearty 

 approbation by the many among us who preferred ''water straight," but 

 the Mayor of Courtland was seen to sigh for home, his birthday being 

 near. 



A little beyond we came to a huge, monstrous oak tree, the branches of 

 which extended over one hundred feet, and every carriage containing us 

 was driven under its limbs. General Vallejo, in his quiet and modest way, 

 arose to his feet in his buggy and said: " Friends, we are under the largest 

 oak tree in the world, planted by the Almighty, I don't know when, the 

 property of a gentleman who is not among us to-day; therefore, I propose 

 three cheers for General John Bidwell, upon whose property we stand." 

 These were given with a cheer and a whoop, and the party moved on. We 

 had not traveled long, when we came to a large and roaring stream of water, 

 that dashed over huge bowlders as if with joy for the freedom it enjoyed. 

 Passing to the right of the stream, and high overhead was a long wooden 

 canal, built from Chico to the mountains, for the purpose of floating lumber 

 into the city, avoiding hauling. This was somewhat of a novelty to many 

 of the party, for they had never floated lumber, only on boats and during 

 freshets. A little beyond we came to quite an olive orchard in its third 

 year's growth, and beyond that could be seen orange trees in all their 

 luster. Before crossing the stream again, we came to what is commonly 

 known as the "Wild Way," and wild it was; and perhaps we might have 

 fallen over the steep grade, had it not been that the reins of every vehicle 

 were in the hands of very skillful and expert drivers. Descending into a 

 little valley below, we came to that same clear stream we had previously 

 crossed, and it roared as before, as much as to say, " You are welcome, cross 

 again." On reaching the other side, we came to a high elevation overlook- 

 ing the stream and the beautiful growth by its side. To the right of us 

 was a vast amount of land, its red and brownish color indicating its rich- 

 ness, and the stubble its fertility. So large was this tract of land that we 

 failed to see its cultivated terminus. After having ridden perhaps an hour, 

 we came to Chico Vicino, a newly laid out town bearing that name. Streets 

 were laid out all through the tract as straight as an arrow, with wide side- 

 walks, wide enough to allow the planting of shade trees, which we under- 

 stood was soon to be done. After leaving Chico Vicino, about two miles; 

 below_ we came to a large oak forest, and were driven alongside of this most 

 beautiful park that nature built, until we came to the nursery — that is, the- 

 orchard nursery, for beyond this there is another nursery, the deer nur- 

 sery. 



Here in the orchard nursery were observed trees of an endless variety. 

 All those trees which we had seen and which had for so many years borne- 

 luscious fruit, were at one time in this nursery. Farther beyond the orchard 

 nursery was the vegetable garden, where all the vegetables for the cannery, 



