Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-04
CALIFORNIA,
REPORT OF HON. T. BUTLER KING.
(CoNTINUED.)
WASHINGTON, March %, 1850.
To the Hon. JOHN NJ. CLAYTON,
iSecyefayu of ,St1ie
PRODUCTS OF CALIFORNIA.

| NS'O'''J 'SSS'e
| PRODUCTS OF CALIFORNIA
Previous to the treaty of peace with Mexico and the
discovery OF gold the exporabe products of the coun
try consisted almost exclusively OF hides and tallow-
Inc Callfornans We're pastoral people, and paid much
more attention to the raising Of horses and cattle than
the cultivation OF the soil,
Wheat, barley, maize, BEANS and edible roots, were
cultivated in sufficient quantity for home consumption
but as lar as am informed not tor expectation At that
time 'ul grown OK, steer, COW, was worth about
two dollars Beef cattle, delivered on the navigable
waters OF the bay OF San Francisco, are now worth
from $40 to $50 per head horses, formerly worth from
So to $40, are now valued at $50 to $3.50 The de-
suclon OF cattle for their hides and alow has now en-
trely ceased In consequence OF the demand for beef
This demand will OF course Increase with the popua
ton and would that, in very few years there
will be none to supply the market
1t we estimate the number of cattle, now in Califor-
MA at 500 900 head which is believed to be about the
cumberland the population at 10000 for the year 1850
"a low estlmate--and suppose TO increase hum
bred thousand annum, there will be in the territory
or STATEN 1894, tive hundred and twenty thousand peo
pie,
live adopt the estimate of those we'll acquainted with
inc demand OF hall beef on an average to each nha
blant it appears there will be consumption in 1885, OF
o. 900 head in 1851 OF 10000; in 1852. OF 10000
in 1853, of 10000; in 1854 OF 100000. Making an
aggregate of 100000, which would absorb all the pre-
sent stock, with its natural increase
inns IS very important matter as connected with the
amount OF supply which that country will ultimately re-
qure from the Atlantic States OF the Union There is
other cosntry earth which has, or will ever possess
lle means OF supplying so great a demand.
1t isnowa well established fact among the emigrants
TO California that oxen possess greater powers OF endu
rance than mules horses; that they will perform the
distance with loaded wagons in less time and come in
at the end OF the journey in better condition.
Cows are now driven in considerable numbers from
Missouri and The time cannot be far distant when cattle
from the Western States will be driven annually by tens
OF thousands to supply this market
1t California increases in population as fast as the
most moderate est mates would lead to believe, it
will not be five years before she will require more than
one hundred thousand head OF beef cattle per annum
from some quarter to supply the wants of her people.
Unjust not be supposed that salt provisions may sup
ply this vast demand. Those who have attempted to
live on such food during the dry season, have been at
tackled with scurvy and other cutaneous diseases of
which many have died.
There is climate in the world where fresh meat and
vegetables are more essential to human health. In fact,
they are Indispensable
1t must not b. inferred that cattle driven across the
plains and mountains from the western States will be fit
tor beef on their arrival in California But one win
ter and spring ON the luxurant pastures OF that coun-
try will put them In condition which would render
them acceptable in any Atlantic market.
These grazing grounds extensive enough to sup
port tive times as many cattle may be annually re-
them.
am acquainted with drover who left California in
december last, with the intention OF bringing in ten
thousand sheep from New Mexico. This shows that
the Hocks and herds, OF the Rocky Mountains
looked to already as the from which the markets
on the Pacific to be supplied
the growth of wheat, barley, rye and oats The tempe
nature along the coast too cool for the successful cul
ture OF maize, field crop. The fact that oats the
species which is cultivated in the Atlantic States are
annually sesowed and produced on all the plains and
hills along the coast and far inland the breeze
has marked influence the climate is sufficient proof
that all the cereal grains may be successfully cultivated
without the aid of irrigation
1t is quite true that this auxiliary was extensively en-
ployed at the MISSIONS and undoubtedly increased the
product OF all crops to which it was applied, it will
-, nnrth oki H,1It
not PROVE however, that it was essentially necessary to
the production of ample reward TO the husbandman
The experience Of all the old inhabitants is sufficient
evidence OF this 1t their imperfect mode of culture
secured satisfactory returns, it reasonable to presume
results. There abundant evidence TO prove that
in the rich alluval valleys wheat and barley have pro-
duced from forty to sixty bushels from one bushe of
seed, ,oithout irrigation
roots known and cultivated in the Atlantic States are
produced in great perfection In all the valleys east of
the coast range of hills the climate is sufficiently warm
to mature crops OF Indian corn rice and probably to-
bacco
The cultivation OF the grape has attracted much at
tenton at the missions, among the residents of towns
and the rural population and been attended with much
success wherever has been attempted The dry sea-
secures the fruit from those diseases which are so
fatal in the Atlantic States and aains very great per-
lection.
The wine made from it is of excellent quality. very
paatable, and can be produced in any quantity. The
grapes delicious and produced with very little labor
When taken from the vines in lunches and suspended in
dry room, by the stems, they become partially dry re-
tain their flavor, and remain several weeks, perhaps
months, without decay.
Apples, pears, and peaches, cultivated with IA
cy and there is no reason to doubt that all the fruits
OF the Atlantic States can be produced in great plenty
aud perfection.