Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-03-30

of 10000; in 1854, Of AGO. 600 making an aer,eea
Of 100000, which would absorb att the present stock wi,
its natural increase
This is very important matter as connected with n
amount OF supply which that country will ultimately reuuir
from the Atlantic States of the Union. There is no ohe
country earth which has will possess the mean
of supplying great demand
II is well-esablished fact among the emgrants
California, that possess greater powers Of endurance
than mules or horses that they will perform the dsanc
with loaded wagons in less me and the end Of tn
journey in better condition.
Cows driven in considerable numbers from Mis-
souri, and the time cannot be far distant when cattle
Western States will be driven annually by of thousands
supply this new market
California increases in population the mod
crate estimate would lead US to believe, it will be five
years before she will require than hundred
head Of beef cattle per annum from quarter supply
the wants Of her people.
II be supposed that salt provisions NAV supply
This vast demand. Those who have attempted live on
such food during the dry season. have been attacked with
scurvy and other Diseases Of which many
died. There climate In the world where fresh
vegetables essential to human health In fact they
are dispensable.
1t be inferred that cattle driven across the plains
and mountains from the Western States, will be fit for bee
on their arrival in California But winter and spring
the luxurant pastures of that country will put them
don which would render them acceptable in any Atlantic
market These grazing grounds extensive enough
support five lines many cattle may be annually re-
CURED therefore there will be scarcity Of food for them
am acquainted with drover who left California in De-
cembr last with the intention Of Bringing in ten thousand sheep
from New Mexico This shows that the focks and herds,
east OF the Rocky Mountains looked TO already the
source from which the markets the Pacific be sup
piled.
The climate and soil Of California are we'll suited 10 the
growth OF wheat barley, rye and oats The temperature
along the coast is too cool for the culture of
held CROP The fact that OATS the species which Gull
tvaed in the Atlantic Sts annually selfsowed and
produced on all the plains and hills along the coast and
far inland the has marked influence on the
climate sufficient proof that all the cereal grains may
successfully cultivated without the aid Of irrigation.
1t quite true that this auxiliary extensively employ
ed at the missions and undoubtedly increased the product Of
all crops to which it applied, it will in any country
earth, if skuy used This does PROVE however that it
was essentially necessary to the production of ample
ward to the hnsbandman. The experience of all the old in
habiants is sufficient evidence of this II their imperf
mode Of culture secured satisfactory returns is reasonable
to presume that perfect system would produce much
greater results There is abundant evidence prove that
in the rich auvia Valleys wheat and barley have produced
from forty to sixty bushels from bushe of seed without
irrigation.
Irish potatoes unip onions, in fact all the edible
known and cultivated in the Atlantic States produced in
great perfection In all the valleys east of the coast range
hills the climate is sufficiently crops Of Indian
corn, rice, and probably tobacco. NJ, - ... 4.
The cultivation Of the grape has attracted much attention
at the missions among the residents Of towns and the rural
population and been attended with much wherever
has been attempted The dry secures the fruit from
those diseases which fatal in the Atlantic States and it
| attains very great perfection.
The wine made from it is of excellent quality very pala
aoe and can be produced IN any quantity The grapes
delicious and produced with very little labor. When taken
from the vines in punches and suspended in dry room, by
the STEMS they become partially dry, retain their favor and
remain several weeks perhaps months, without decay.
Apples pears, and peaches cultivated with facility and
there to doubt that all the fruits of the Atlantic
States can be produced in great plenty and perfection
The grasses are very uxuan and nutritious afordng
ceent pasture The oats, which spring up the whole length
OF the seacoast and from forty sixty miles inland render
the cultivation Of that crop entirely unnecessary, and yield
very great quantity Of nutritious food for horses CATTLE and
sheep The dry natures and may say cures these
and OATS that they an excellent of
preservation during the summer and autumn, and afford
ample supply of forage. While the whole surface of the
country appears parched and vegetation destroyed the
merous focks and herds which it, continue in
cellent condition.
Although the mdness of the winter months and the ferti
lily Of the soil California very decided agricultural
advantages it is admitted that irrigation would be d very
great Importance and necessarily increase the products Of the
soil in quantity and variety during the greater part of the
dry season. 1t should therefore be encouraged by Govern
men in the survey and disposition Of the public lands far
as practicable. ... "".-
The farmer derives some very important benefits from the
dry His crops harvest time injured by
rain he with perfect confidence permit them remain
in his fields long after they have been gathered his
venience require he has fears that they will be in
ured by wet or unfayoabe weather Hence it that many
who have long been accustomed that climate, prefer
the changeable weather east of the Rocky Mountains
As already stated, the forests of California south of at
limited to detached scattering groves of oak in the Valleys
and OF redwood the ridges and the gorges Of the hills
1t can be Of practical speculate the
which have denuded large extent of country further
than to ascertain whether the soil not favorable the
growth of forest trees
When the dry sets in the entire surface is covered
with uxuriant growth Of grass and oats, which, the
summer advances become perfectly dry The remains of all
dead trees and shrubs also become dry These materials
therefore, very combusbe, and usually take fire the
latter part of summer and beginning of autumn which
monty the whole country destroying, in its
COURSE the young shrubs and In fact to be
the process which has destroyed prevented the growth
of forest trees the paes Of the Western States not
any quality in the soil unfriendly to their growth.
The absence Of TIMBER and the continuance of the dry
season, 10 be regarded by farmers going
the country rremedabe defects as presenting OBJ
saces almost nsurmountabe the successful progress
agriculture little experience will modify these opinions
It is ascertaned that the soil will produce abundanty
without that focks and herds sustain themselves
through the winter without being fed the farm yard and
consequently no labor provide forage for them
that bitches easily dug which present good barriers
for the protection Of crops until live fences be planted
and have time to grow. Forest may be planted with
little labor, and very few years attain sufficient size for
building and fencing purposes Time may be usefuy
poyed in sowing various grain and crops during the
winter There weather cold enough to
destroy root and therefore, is necessary
Their them. They be used sold from the field where
they grow The labor therefore required in Of the old
States fell the forests clear the land Of rubbish and pre-
pare il for seed, may here be applied to other oects
All these things, together with the perfect security Of all
crops IN harvest time, from injury By ,ce ceahe are pro.
badly sufficient to meet any expense which may be incurred
in irrigation caused, for time, by scanty supply OF