Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-05-25

UPPER CALIFoRsIA.--This is said
to be the most fertile spot OF earth
known. I, produces spontaneously,
oats, clover and fax. in greatabund-
ance and Of an excellent quality. It
is generally covered with sort of
short, fine grass, of which horses and
cattle arevery fond. The oats in many
parts of the country are found or 6
icet in height. The clover generally
grows about two or three feet high,
and resembles our common red and
white clover. The flax is Of excellent
quality. The soil is generally black,
deep vegetable loan; that of the hills
and mountainous is usually light
brown loan, or vegetable earth. The
sub-soll is generally gravel and sand,
or unc,ious clay.
The principle grain grown as yet in
California is wheat, which is raised in
great abundance throughout the coun-
try The crop ranges between 80 and
go bushels to the acre, or to bushel OF
sowing. As high as 1873 fold has been
produced; the spontaneous growth of
the next year being 81 bushels 10 the
acre! The wheat raised in California
is ola very different kind from the
American; one stalk producing several
stalks or heads. 1t is an excellent
quality and makes very superior -four.
Indian corn, beans, peas, tobacco and
all kinds of Vegetables are grown with
great success in all parts Of the country.
There is no part OF the world, perhaps,
more favorable to the growing of rice,
cotton and cane than California. APP
piles, pears, peaches, figs, almonds,
olives, dates, oranges, lemons, citrons,
pomegranates and grapes, may all be
produced in great abundance. In fact,
all the tropical fruits are, or may be,
produced in this climate.
Ia many parts of the country tim
Der is very abundant, especially on the
coast, where oak, ash, arbutus, arbor
vitae and several species Of cedar and
pine are fonnd. In the interior the
timber is principally confined to the
streams which are well timbercd.
Both on the coast and in the interior
is found the most admirable timber for
ship-building.
1t has been remarked by some that
there isa great deficiency of timber in
this country, but this assertion later
travellers deny. Taking the whole
country together, there is an abund-
ance Of timber for all useful purposes,
particularly when the mildness of the
climate IS considered, fuel never being
necessary FOR purposes ofcomfort. The
climate is a perpetual spring; neither
the heat OF the summer or the GOODNESS
Of winter. is experienced. The coun-
try is sufficiently we'll watered, and
its commercial advantages cannot be
surpassed. The Bay Of ST. Francisco,
for extent Of anchorage and extent Of
harbor, is unparalleled. Besides this,
there are several bays atfording very
commodious and safe anchorage, those
for instance Of Monterey, St. Diego,
and D1dego. AT eac;;i Of these, towns
have been commenced. Monterey is
the seat Of Government.
The population OF Upper California
is about seven or eight thousand, about
two-ihirds of whom are native Indians;
the other portion is composed Of the
mongrel species of humanity called
NericaH, being a mixture of Indian,
Negro and Spaniard, there being, how
ever, few foreigners, principally
Americans. The government, OF
course, is Mexican. All foreigners
can obtain lands by becoming citizens.
The number of foreigners at present,
is said TO be about five hundred.
These particulars we have cleaned
from letter in the Era, written by
gentleman who has recently returned
from the country of which i. treats
TSt 7 ouis Eo1eftn