The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-09-15

oil any note IN the town OF Los ANGELES
has his vineyard. No particular atten-
ton was drawn to its culture 10 any ex-
tent, until Monster Louis Vigne, native
of France, successfully undertook the
management Of partially abandoned
vineyard, which he purchased for one
hundred and fifty dollars. Mons. Vigne
emigrated TO California in 1884, and six
years afterwards, when desirous of leav-
ing the country, he was willing to make
SACRIFICE, and offered his estate for sale
for the sum of twenty thousand dollars.
The soil, he says, for this kind of cul-
ture, is not surpassed anywhere; and is
infinitely superior TO that of his own
country. Nothing is wanted but intelli-
gent persons 10 make wine of an excel
lent quality, which would readily find
market in Mexico, and the neighboring
countries where the vine is not cultivated.
The climate is well adapted 10 the OIL
i've, which is quite abundant, and when
well prepared, not inferior to that of Eu-
rope. In some parts of the country rice
may be raised, and cotton and tobacco
thrive to perfection. The natives under
stand well enough the art Of cultivating
them, but are too indolent to pay that
strict attention which they require. Ma
/ ny kinds of fruits are produced i'll their
gardens, such as apples, peaches, plums,
oranges, citrons, lines, pomegranates,
figs, &c. and in fact every attempt to-
wards agriculture has succeeded. -
! In the spring Of the year, during the
months Of May and June, the plains and
hills are variegated with flowers, and the
whole country becomes garden. It is
one of the most enchanting sights ina
ginable TO look upon its extensive prai-
ries, carpeted, as they are, with millions
of beautiful and fragrant blossoms; so ar
ranged in natures grand Kaleidoscope
as 10 call forth admiration from the be-
holder, and his reverence and love for the
great author of such magni6cence. The
air becomes perlumed with their sweet
ness, and as the heavy tramp of the tra-
veller's steed presses upon them, an ex-
quiste fragrance rises. which is borne
away by the winds to the hills and noun
tains, TO mingle with the sweets which
they inhale. Indeed there is more love
illness and beauty in such scene, than
my humble self can delineate. | recol-
lect a spot in the rear of the Mission of
San Gabriel, where the flowers are of so
rich a vermilion, as to be seen distinctly
! from the ships place Of anchorage at
San Pedro, from whence they appear like
a velvet covering to the earth. This is a
distance of over thirty miles, and it may
seem to the reader almost incredible, but
witnessed, year after year, without any
decrease in beauty.
The hills and the woods abound with
many kinds OF wild fruits, among which
are gooseberries, blackberries, whortle-
berries, Strawberries, &c. The latter va
rv in their appearance and flavor, accor-
ding TO their locality; those found in the
northern parts of the country being infe-
rior in size, but sweeter. Raspberries
are also TO be met with, in quality equal
to the English ones; but the most abun-
dant of all is the MORA or blackberry,
The soil of California is rich, and aided
by the mild temperature of lis climate,
extremely productive for all kinds of
grain; admitting Of two crops in one sea-
son. From the parallel Of San Luis O.
bispo, northward, the highlands are topp-
ed with pines, while the green plains be-
yond them are plentifully supplied with
oak; the former, in some sections of the
country, growing 10 an immense size,
with long cones hanging from their BRAN
ches, containing PINONEs or seeds, which
are collected by the Indians a their pro-
per season, and become an important ar
ticle Of their food. Other classes OF
trees are found i'll the forests, of which
the ash, beach and maple, comprise the
greater portion.
The feature of the mountains extending
through California. gives dreary aspect
to the country, till arriving near the con-
fines of Monterey, where they are wood
ed, and less accompanied with the volca-
mic appearances. Their average height
is about twenty-five hundred feet, rising
in some places almost directly from the
sea, so as 10 leave but narrow strip be-
tween them and the beach. The woods
are abundant in wild game, and the rivers
and bays supply the inhabitants with fish
of many kinds.
California, viewed as maritime sta.
ton, has not its equal on the whole ives
tern coast of America. Her principal
ports, which are San Francisco and Sar
Diego, afford the most secure anchorage
for the largest fleets, with facilities fol
establishing wharves, docks and arsenals
The former harbor is so situated as to re-
quire but little labor TO make it one of tht
strongest fortified places in the world; 70
the rocky cliffs which form its narrow
entrance, combined with other prominen
| locations within, seem as If intended BY