The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-31


same edition they furnish Us subscribers fOr gratis.
length OF the seacoast and from forty to sixty miles in
land, render the cultivation OF that crop erey unneces
sary, and yield very great qu&nny o. nunnous iood
for horses, CATTLE and sheep Ihe dry season natures
and may say these grasses and oats 90 that they
remain in excellent stale OF preservation during the SUM
mer and autumn, and afford an ample supply OF forage
and vegetation destroyed the focks and herds
which roam over il continue in excellent condnfon
Although the mildness Of the winter months and the
fertility oil the soil to California very decided agri.
cultural advantages, II is admitted that irrigation would
be Of very great Importance and necessarily increase the
q Hs s n
BY government in the survey and disposition Of
the public lands, as far as practicable.
the dry season His crops in harvest time are never
jured by he with perfect confidence permit them
to remain in his fields as long after they have been gath
that they will be injured BY wet Or unavorabe weather
Hence it is that many who have long been accustomed 70
that climate prefer i to the changeabe weather east Of
AS already stated, he forests Of California, south Of s
tnde 80 deg, and west Of the oot-hs Of the Sierra Ne
the valleys and Of redwood on the ridges and on the
gorges OF the hills.
II be of practical to speculate on the causes
which have denuded large extent Of country further
than to ascertain whether the soil is not favorable to
the growth of forest trees
When the dry season in. the entire surface s COW
the summer advances, become perfectly dry The re-
mains of all dead trees and shrubs also become dry
usually take ire in The latter part s Il summer and begin
ming Of autumn, which commonly passes over the whole
country. destroying in its course, the young shrubs and
DESTROYED or prevented the growth Of forest trees The
praries m lie western States, and not any quality IN the
soil unfriendly to their growth u.
The absence Of timber and the continuance q the dry
season are apt 10. be regarded farmers on rst gong
into the country rremediable defects, q
obstacles almost insumountabe, to the pro-
gress Of agriculture. little experience will modify
Il is soon ascerained that the soil win produce abund-
antly without manure; that hocks and herds sustain
themselves through the winter without being ted ct the
farmyard, and consequently no labor Is necessary to
provide forage for them; that bitches are easily dug,
live Be- planted ana have ne
to grow. Forest may be planted with little labor.
and in very few years attain sufficient size for building
in sowing various grain and root crops. during tie wst
or winter season. There is weather cold enough to
root and sS ]: .o nt ss
where they grow The labor, therefore, required in most
Of the old States to fell the forests clear the land Of rub
bsh and prepare il for seed may here Dc applied 70 other
All these things, together with the perfect security Of
all crops, IN harvest time, from injury by vet weoth,
be incurred in irrigation. caused. for time, bya scan
ty supply of timber. M
In tie northern part Of the Territory, above latitude
OF the Sacramento and San Joaquin. to the foot Of the
Sierra Nevada, the forests o timber are beautiful and
extensive, and would brought into use be sufcenty
productive to supply the wants Of the southern and west
ern portions Of the State g.s .. sf..
have spoken Of the agricultural products and re-
sources Of the country without reference M % ne d
which, is probable, will postpone for an indefinite
time all efforts to improve the soil As long as aborers
bsT ,ssn esn asGS ws e e
from countries where the wages OF labor are not more
than from fifty cents to dollar per day. II !. not
more than the production of vegetables. fruits, and other
articles pershsbe in their nature that they cannot be
brought from. great distance. will require -
manufactures of the States east of the Rocky mountains
is undoubtedly object Of the greatest Importance
will be considered in its proper place
PUBLIC DvNAH.
The extent and value OF the public lands, suitable
for agricultural purposes in California cannot be ascsr
tanned with any degree OF accuracy until some very I'M
poant preliminary questions shall have been settled
II is not known whether the Jesuts who founded the
mi sson or their successors the Franciscans, did,
do now. hold any title from the Spanish crown 70 the
lands which they occupied. Nor has any Investigation
been made ascertain how far those titles, II they ever
existed have been inyadaed by the acts OF the priests,
or the DEGREES Of the Mexican government
% Of ss matter %sao &C
wisdom and cunning, would not fail TO secure that
which, that time, would probably have been obtained
by merely asking for ia royal decree, granting to them
al the lands they might require in that remote country for
ecclesiastical purposes There have been intma-
lions to that effect. but nothing 10 distinctly known
These missions embrace within their limits some OF the
most valuable lands in the Territory and II very I'M
poant that il should be ascersned whether they belong
10 the government or may be justly claimed BY ndivd-
uals.
Most OF the land ct for cultivation. south OF latitude
80 deg and Of the valley OF the Sacramento and
San Joaquin, claimed under what purpor to DC grants
from the Mexican government.
On most OF these grants the minerals and metals are
reserved TO the government conditions were coupled
with many OF them which have not been complied with
In Others the boundaries described embrace two or three
times "a much land the grant conveys.
The Mexican law required all grants made by the pro-
visona government, with few exceptions, 70 be confirm
ed by the supreme government The great distance which
separated them, and the unfequent or difcu means OF
communication, made compliance with the law 20 ex-
pensive and ardy, that il came to be almost dsre-
garded.
Previous TO the treaty with Mexico and the Immi-
grafton OF American citizens 10 that county, land was
not regarded as OF much value except for EazIg pur
poses There was room enough Tor all therefore tne
claimants or propnetos did not moest each other OF IN
quire into the validity of titles sl.--.,n.s
These extensive grants described by natural p9una
aries, such mountains, bays, and promoni9es wncn{
in many instances, might allow OF avanahcn q seveIa
miles in the establishment OF corner WIN en.'n ana
compass. -, s,-..-, c...--
By the treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United states
purchased ali the rights and interests Of mexico 20 and
In California This purchase not only embraces az tne
lands which had not been granted by Mexco but Al the
minerals and metals. and also reversoney nights
which might accrue to Mexico from want OF compl.
ance on the part OF the grantees with the condons of