The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-03-21
CLIMATE OF CALIFORNIA.

The climate OF maritime CaIllorhld IS
greatly modified by the structure OF the
country, and under this aspect may be con-
sidcred in three dvsions-the southern, be-
low Point Conception and the Santa baroa-
ra Mountain, about latitude 35 deg, the
northern, from Cape Mendocino, latitude 4
deg, to the Oregon boundary; and the m'd-
die, including the bay and basin OF San
Francisco, and the coast between Point Con-
cep,iun and Cape Mendocino. Of these
three divisions, the rainy season is longest
and heaviest in the north, and llehtest IN the
south. Vegetation is governed accordingly
coming with the housekeeping where
they fail. Summer and winter, in Our sense
of the terms, are not applicable 10 this part
of the country. Ii is not heat and cold, but
wet and dry, which mark tho seasons; and
the winter months, instead of killing vegeta-
ton, revive ii. The dry season makes
period Of consecutive drought. the only WIN
ter in the vegetation of this country, which
can hardly be said a. any time to cease.
I'm forests, where the soil is sheltered; in low
lands of streams and hIlIy country, where
the ground remains moist, grass continues
corsl an,ly green, and flowers bloom in all
months OF The year. In the southern hall
of the country, the l"ng summer drought has
rendered irrigation necessary, ana Inc cx-
perencc of the missions, IN their prosperous
dav. has shown that in California, as else
where, the driest plains are made productive
and the heaviest crops produced by mat
mode of cultivation. With irrigation, sue
ccssion of crops may be produced through.
out lhe wear. Salubriiy, aud regulated
mildncss, characterize the climate; there be-
ing no prevailing diseases, and the extremes
of heat during the summer being checked
bv seabreezcs during the day, and by the
light airs from the Sierra Nevada during
Tie night. The nights arc generally cool
and refreshing, as is the shade during the
hottest day.
California, below the Sierra Nevada, Is
about the extent Of Italy, from tho Alps to
the termination Of the peninsula. 1t IS OF
the same length, about the same breadth
consequently the same area. (abnut one hum
lrcd thousand square miles, and presents
much similarity of climate and productions.
Like Italy, it lies north and south. and pre-
scn,s some differences of climate and pro
ductons. the effect of differences OF latitude,
proximity of high mountains. and conhgura-
lion of the coast. Like Ita y. it is a country
of mountains and valleys, differing from 1t
in its internal structure, it is formed for unity;
IFS large rivers being conccntrIc, and IFS large
valleys appur,cnant to the great central Bay
of San Francisco, within the area OF whose
waters the dominating power must be
found.
Geographically, the position of California
is one of the best in the world; lying on the
coast Of the Pacific, fronting Asia. on the
line of an American road to Asia and pos
sessed of advantages to give full effect 10 It's
grand geographical position.
GRuBs FALLING FROM THE CLoUDs.-On
Friday morning, February 5th, ls47, at
Oakand's Malone Bay, Nova Stolla, grubs
similar in appearance to cabbage grubs' iell
with the SHOW in great attendance, and what
is still much more remarkable, indeed won
lcrlul, hocks of robbins came and led upon
the snow insects. This, in a climate like
that of Nova Scotia, in midwnterls is among
the mysteries with which the atmosphere Is
invested.
On the 10th of May, l51s. cloud OF
white flies came up with the wind at LOUIS
vile, Kentucky. and was mistaken for snow.
when first seen moving in the atmosphere,
they fell in countless billions upon the earth;
July 9Th, 1s47, shower Of butterflies cross.
ed the channel from Calais to Dover, and
filled the country on the sea coast tor
leagues in extent. The appearance of in
sects in the clouds is always preceded by a
disturbance Of the earth.