I went to work for him at once, pruning the trees, which improved their appearance, and then turned on a little stream of water which ran through the place, and on down to the mission.
With this treatment the trees did well without cultivation.
I bought one half the stock consisting of some Spanish cows, one yoke of oxen and some horses, worked enough to pay my board, watched the stock and still had plenty of time to ride around over the adjoining country.
When the pears were ripe the Spanish men, women and children eagerly bought them at 25 cents per dozen and some Sundays the receipts for fruit sold would be as high as $100.

That taken to town would bring from $5.

to $8.

per box, the boxes being a little larger than those in present use.

An Indian woman, widow of a Mr.Reed, claimed a vineyard near the orchard, and laid claim to the whole property, so Stockton gave her $1000 for a quit claim deed.
Near by was a small artificial lake made by a dam of cobble stones, laid in cement across a ravine, which was built perhaps 50 years before, and yet the tracks of a child who had walked across before the cement was dry, were plainly seen.
Stockton and I visited Mr.Roland, an old settler who lived south of San Gabriel river, and staid all night with him, finding him very sociable and hospitable.