Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-04

natures and may say these grasses and oats so
that they remain in an excellent state of preservation
during the summer and autumn, and afford an ample
supply of forage While the whole surface Of the con.
try appears parched and vegetation destroyed the nume
rous tocks and herds, which it, continue in
excellent condition.
Although the mildness of the winter months and the
fertility OF the soil secure to California very decided agr
cultural advantages it is admitted that irrigation would
be OF very great importance and necessarily increase
the products @t the soil in quantity and variety, during
the greater part of the dry 1t should therefore
be encouraged by government in the survey and dispo
sltlon OF the public lands, as far as practicable.
The farmer derives some very important benefits from
the dry His crops in harvest time are never M
ured by rain; he with perfect confidence permit
them to remain in his fields as long after they have been
gathered his convenience NAV require he has no fears
that they will be injured by unfavorabe weather
Hence it is that many who have long been accustomed
to tn at climate, prefer to the changeable weather east
OF the Rocky mountains.
As already stated, the forests of California soutb If
latitude 80 deg, and of the foothills of The Sierra
Nevada, limited to detached, scattering groves of
oak in the Valleys and of redwood on the ridges and
on the gorges OF the hills.
1t can be Of no practical use to speculate on the
causes which have denuded so large of coun-
try further than to ascertain whether the soil is or is not
favorable to the growth of forest trees
When the dry season sets in the entire surface is CO.
vered with luxrlan growth OF grass and oats which,
as the summer advances, become perfectly dry The re-
mains OF all dead trees and shrubs also become dry-
These materials, therefore, very combustibe and
usually take fire in the latter part Of simmer and be-
ginning OF auu mn, which commonly passes over the
whole country destroying, in its course, the Young
shrubs and trees. In fact it be the same pro-
cess which has destroyed prevented the growth of
forest trees on the prares Of the Western States and
not any quality in the soil unrendy to their growth
The absence of timber and the continuance of the
dry apt to be regarded by farmers on first
gong into the country as rremediabe defects, and as
presenting obstacles almost insurmountable to the sue
cesstu progress OF agriculture little experience will
modify these opinions.
1t is ascertaned that the soil will produce abun
dainty without manure; the focks and herds sustain
themselves through the winter without being fed at the
farm-yard, and consequently, labor is necessary to
provide forage for them; that bitches are easily dug
which present very good barriers for the protection Of
crops, until live fences be planted and have time to
grow. Forest trees may be planted with little labor
and in very few years attain sufficient for building
and fencing purposes. Time may be useulIy employed
in sowing various grain and root crops, during the wet
or winter There is mo weather cold enough to
destroy root crops and therefore, is necessary to
gather them. They be used or sold from the field
where they grow. The labor, therefore, required in
most of the old States to fell the forests clear the land
OF rubbish and prepare for Seed may here be applied
to other objects.
All these things, together with the perfect securitv
OF all crops, in harvest times, from injury by net
aueaher, are probably sufficient to meet any expense
which may be incurred in irrigation or caused for
time, by scanty supply OF timber.
In the northern part ot the Territory above latitude
80 deg and the hills which rise from the great plain
of the Sacramento and San Joaquin the foot of the
Sierra Nevada the forests of timber beautiful and
y productive to supply the wants OF the southern and
western portions OF the State
| have spoken of the agricultural products and re-
of the country without reference the remark
able state of things caused by the discovery of gold
which it is probable will postpone for indefinite time
all efforts to improve the SOIL AS long as aborers
earn fifteen dollars per day, in collecting gold
they very well afford import their supplies from
countries where the wages OF labor more than
from fifty cents 10 dollar per day 1t not there
FORE to be supposed that the soil will be cultivated more
The md
cles peIishabe in their nature that they cannot be
brought from a great distance, will require
10 secure this important market for the products
and manufactures OF the States east of the Rocky
Mountains, is undoubtedly object of the greatest i'm
portance. twill be considered in its proper place
PUBLIC
The extent and value of the public lands suitable for
agricultural purposes California, be ascetained
with any degree OF accuracy until very important
preliminary questions shall have been settled
1t is not know whether the Jesuits who founded the
mission, their successors, the Francscans ever did
or do hold any title from the Spanish crown to the
lands which they occupied Nor has any investigation
been made to ascertain how tar those titles, if they
existed have been nvadated by the of the priests
or the DEGREES OF the Mexican Government.
superficial view ofthe matter would be very apt to
lead to the suppositon that the Jesus celebrated for
wisdom and cunning would not fail to secure that which
at that time, would probably have been obtained by
merely asking for it royal decree granting to them all
the lands they might require in that country for
ecclesiastical purposes There have been some ntima-
tons to that effect, but nothing is distinctly Known
These missions embrace within their limits some of the
most valuable lands in the Territory, and is very i'm
portant that should be ascertained whether thew be-
long to the Government, or may be Justly claimed by
individuals.
Most OF the land fit for cultivation south of latitude
80 deg and west of the valley of the Sacramento and
San Joaquin, is claimed under what purport be grants
from the Mexican government.
On most OF these grants the minerals and metals are
reserved to the government--conditions coupled
with many OF them which have not been complied with
In Others the boundaries described embrace two three
times much land as the grant conveys.
The Mexican law required all grants made by the pro-
vlsiona government, with few exceptions, be con-
firned by the Supreme government The great distance
which separated them, and the unrequen difficult
means OF communication, made compliance with the |
law so expensive and tardy that it came to be almost
disregarded.
There were other causes which led to this neglect
Previous to the treaty with Mexico and the immgra
ton OF American citizens to that country, land
regarded as OF much va e except Ter grazing purposes
There room enough for all Therefore, the claim |
ants propretors did not modest each other inquire
into the validity OF titles.
These extensive grants are described by natural boun
daries such as mountains, bays and promontores |
which, in many instances, might allow of variation of
several miles IN the establishment OF with chain
and compass.
By the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United
States purchased all the rights and interests of Mexico
to and in California. This purchase not only embraced
all the lands which had not been granted by Mexico but
all the reserved minerals and metals and also reverson-
airy rights which might to Mexico from a
want OF compliance on the part OF the grantees with the
conditions OF their grants or lcant Of perfection the
grants
1t will be perceived that this subject of very great
Importance, not only to the people OF California but
the United States and calls prompt and efficient &C
ton on the part OF the government 1t is believed that
the appointment of competent commissions, fully en-
powered to investigate these titles, spirit OF kind
ness towards the claimants, with power to confirm such
titles justice may to demand with instructions
to report their proceedings and awards to Congress- for
confirmation or rejection, will be the best and perhaps
the only satisfactory mode of adjusting this complex
and difficult question.
The lands in thenorthe part of the Territory, above
the Both deg have not been explored or granted They
are supposed to embrace an area OF about twenty mil
lions Of acres, large portion OF which is doubtless va
liable for its timber and soik
Comparatively few grants have been obtained in the
great valley of the Sacramento and San Joaquin This
vast tract therefore, containing, is estimated, from
twelve to fifteen millions OF acres belongs mostly to the
Gnuernnnnnt Snnth of this vaev and west Of The ca |