Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-07-09


done at home. DR.. Mclaughlin kindly proffered
10 render them any assistance in his power. Vi
the aid of the Doctor the people were very happy
to ava themselves, without which they would moi
been able to haye protected themselves against the
lnclemency of the approaching winter.
left Oregon for California on the 30.h day of
May, 1s43, with party Of 50 persons; arriv-
ed in California the 10th day OF July following.
A few facts 10 reference to California may be
deemed of some importance, as many of our citi-
zens are also emigraiing 10 that delightful country.
Upper California, of which speak, is bounded
on the East by the Hockey Mountains, on the
South by Lower California and Sonora On the
West by the Pacific Ocean land ON the North by
Oregon, Qhe 42nd degree N. laiitude.) The ap.
pearance ofthis country really attractive. There
Is an elevated range of county Immediately on The
coast; this section of country is however, inter-
sperscd with beautiful and mos, fertile vallews, Of
rather limited extent. Immediately East Of this
range OF elevated lands is vast plain, averag ing
from 20 10 $50 miles in width from East to West,
and extending the whole extent of the country
from North to South. This plain extends from
the the high lands on the coast to range of
mountains in the interior. 1t is beyond doubt,
one ofthe most fertile sections of country IN the
world, producing oats, clover, and flax, spon-
taneouslv in great abundance, and OF an excellent
quality. 1t is generally covered with kind Of
short fine grass Of which cattle and horses
ry fond. The oats in many parts of this valley or
plain, are found five six feet high. The clo-
yer generally grows about two or three feet high;
ii very much resembles our common red and
white clover. The fax IS of an excellent quail
iiy. The soil of all this valley is generally black
deep vegetable loam; that of the hills and noun
taias is usually light brown loam or vegetable
earth. The sub-soil is generally gravel aud sand,
or unctuous clay. Immediately at the Eastward
f;his range of mountains is another valley, of
more limited extent, but equal in fertility, to that
just described. This Is also bounded on the East
by another range of mountains, to the eastward of
which there is also another valley of considerably
extent, which is also very fertile. These valleys
all run parallel with the coast, so also do the
ges of mountains, all Of which are spurs Of the
Rocky Mountains.
The principal grain grown in California as yet
is wheat, which is raised in great abundance lhro'
out the whole country. The average crop, I'm
good seasons, is said to be from 80 10 60 bushels
per acre, to bushel of sowing. was inforn-
ed by several respectable men that there had been
one instance within their own knowledge of
farmers receiving 1873 bushels to one bushel of SOW
ing; the next year, without sowing, from a spon-
taneOus growth upO0 the same ground, 81 bushels
to the acre were received. As extraordinary and
doubtful as this may appear to some. have not
the least doubt of It's correctness. 1t is 10 more
extraordinary than it would be to see oats grow.
ing spontaneously FIVE or six feet high. have
travelled through many thousand acres Of oats of
this kIud, The wheat raised in this country is of
a very different kind from ours; one stalk p.odu-
ces several ears or heads This may account to
some extent for the extraordinary returns received
in that country. yet the climate, doubt, is the
chief cause. The wheat raised here is of az excel.
lent quality. indian corn, beans, peas, barley, TO-
bacco, aud all kinds of vegetables are grown with
great success IN all parts of the country. There is
no soil or climate in the world more favourable to
the growing of rice cotton, and cane than that of
California. Apples, pears, peaches, figs, almonds
Olives dates, oranges, lemons, crOns, pomegran-
ates aud grapes. may all be produced in any abun-
Dance In fact, all the tropical fruits are or may
be produced in this climate.
In many parts Of the country, timber is very
abundant, especially on the coast, where oak, ash,
arbutus, arbor vitae, aud several species of cedar
are found. In the INTERIOR the timber is principal
iy confinedto the streams: bat there many
sections off the streams which are well tmbered.
This timber consists of largespreading white oaks,
red oaks, ash. poplar, cherry, and willow. Both
on the coast and in the interior is found the most
admirable timber for ship pudding. Farther in
the Interior and in the mountainous region, are
found fir, pine, CEDAR oak, spruce and ash, all of
an excellent quality. Il has been remarked by
some tina; there is a great scarcity of timber in
this country; but such is not the case. Taking
tine whole country together, there is ample timber
for all useful purposes.
The climate is perpetual spring; neither the
heat of Summer nor the cold of Winter is expert
enced. 1t is as mild on the Pacific side in lat. As
degrees N. it is in lat. 35 N. on the Atlantic
The cause ofths difference of climate in equal
ATTITUDES. suppose 10 be the prevailing winds from
the North during the Summer, and from the South
during the Winner. In fact so great is the effect,
that iD many places on the coast ii is warmer in
the Winter than in the Summer, even in the lati-
tudes 81 and 3S degrees North. Standing water
has never been known 10 freeze thicker than com.
mon window glass; running water never freezes.
No fires ever needed in offices or shops, at any
season Of the year; consequently fire is never re.
quired except for culinary purposes.
The rainy season as it is called usually COM
mences about The first of November, and continues
ill aoout the first Of February, and sometimes even
IL