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

Sierra Nevada their beds would be almost Il not quite,
dry in the summer months The soil is very rich, and,
would, undoubtedly be capable Of producing any crop
except sugar-cane now cultivated in the Atlantic States
There are many beautiful valleys and rich hin sides
among the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada, which, when
the profits OF labor in mining shall be reduced
cause its application to agriculture, will probably support
welltmbered and waered country extending the whole
length OF the gold region between il and the Sierra Ne
vada some twenty miles in width There is no informa
the great snowy range to enable to form any opinion
OF its general character SOIL Some OF its valleys have
been visited by miners who represent them equal to
any portion OF the country to the westward OF it.
The great valley Of the Colorado situated between the
Sierra Mre and the Sierra Nevada, is but little known
e @s ~ Dss q
have hitherto prevented any explorations OF their
Try, and do not permit emigranls to pass through il
forna, are compelled to make circuit Of near thou
sand miles norhwad to the Salt Lake. or about the same
distance southwark by the route Of the Gla Although
this valley is te known, there are indications that is
fertile and valuable.
The name Of the river Colorado" is descriptive OF
its waters they are as deeply coored those Of the
I know flows through barren lands, are clear.
i II would seem impossible for large river to collect
sediment enough in sandy, barren soil, to color its
first discovered and have since visited it's shores The
probability therefore, is, that this river ews through an
auyal valley OF great fertility. which has never been
that the Indians who nhab il hostile, and oppose
far they can, all persons who attempt to enter
pore it This has been their uniform course OF conduct
respecting all portions OF the continent which have been
FERTILE aboundng in game and the spontaneous produc-
tons of the earth.
As this valley i situated in the direct route from Santa
Fe to California, its thorough exploration becomes mat
Of great Importance, especially as Is highly pro-
babe that the elevated regions to the north Of Il
Il s aaas wa Sous
some portion OF it. 8 *sHsi
The soil have described situated west Of the Sierra
San Joaquin, covers an area as nearly as can esti-
mate, Of between fifty and sixty thousand square miles,
and would. under proper system Of cultivation. be Ca
pabe OF supporting population equal 10 that OF Ohio
| or New York at the present time.
| PRODUCTS OF CALIFORNIA.
Previous to the treaty of peace with Mexico, and the
discovery Of god the exporabe products OF the country
consisted almost exclusively of hides and tallow. The
Caforpians pastoral people, and paid much
attention to the raising of horses and cattle than the cult
walton of the soil.
cultivated in sufficient quantity for home consumption,
but, far as am informed not for sxportaon that
time ia-grown OK. steer, Or COW. was worth about
two dollars. Beef cattle, delivered the navigable
waters of the bay of San Francisco are worth from
$40 to $50 per head; horses, formerly worth from S5 to
Sio now valued at 900 to $780, The destruction Of
cattle for their hides and allow has now entirely ceased,
in consequence of the demand for beef This demand
will Of course increase with the population; and would
seem that in very few years. there will be none to sup
II we estimate the number Of cattle now in California
at 900 head which is believed to be about the
oer and ns population a. iioooo ior Inc yssI SS5
thousand per annum, there will be in the Territory
State in 1854, five hundred and twenty thousand people
the demand, of half beef average, to each in
habant, il appears there will be consumption, in 1850.
OF $4,000 head in 1851, OF il000o in 1852, OF 100000
in 1883, Of 100000; in 1854, OF 100000 making an ag
gregate of 100000, which would absorb all the present
stock, with IFS natural increase.
This is very important mattel as connected with the
amount of supply which that country will ultimately re-
qure from the Atlantic States Of the Union. There is no
other country earth which has or will ever possess,
the Of sa
to California that oxen possess greater powers Of endur
ance than mules horses; that they will perform the
s ana ~ ~. hs;.r 'e
Cows now driven in considerable numbers from
Missouri and the time cannot be far distant when cattle
from the States will be driven annually by tens
of thousands TO supply this new market
II California population fast the most
moderate estimate would lead us to believe il will not be
thousand head OF beef cattle per annum from quar-
ter, TO supply the wants OF her people
Il must not be supposed that salt provisions may supply
this vast demand Those who have attempted 10 live on
such food. during the dry season, have been attacked
with scurvy and other cutaneous Diseases Of which many
There is no climate in the world where fresh meat and
vegetables more essential TO human health In TACT
they are indispensable.
Ii must not be inferred that cattle driven the
plains and mountains from the western States will be fit
Tor beef their arrival in California But one winter
and spring the uxuriant pastures OF that country will
put them in condition which would render them accept
able in any Atlantic market
These grazing grounds extensive enough TO support
five times many cattle as may be annually required
therefore, there will be no scarcity Of food for them
| am acquainted with a drover who left California IN
December last with the intention OF bringing in ten thou
sand sheep from New Mexico. This shows that the
focks and herds OF the Rocky mountains looked
to already as the from which the markets on the
Pacific are TO be supplied.
The climate and soil of California well suited TO
the growth OF wheat, barley, rye and oats The temper
along the coast is too cool for the successful cu
species which is cultivated in the Atlantic States-are
annually self -sowed and produced all the plains and
hills along the coast and far inland the
has marked influence on the climate, is sufficient proof
that all the cereal grains may be successfully cultivated
without the aid OF irrigation.
II is quite true that this aurary extensively en-
ployed al the MISSIONS and undoubtedly increased the
product OF all crops to which applied asit will in
any country earth, IL sklfully used This does not
prove, however, that il essentially necessary 70 the
production Of ample reward to the husbandman The
experience Of all the old inhabitants 10 sufficient evidence
OF this II their imperfect mode OF culture secured afs
factory returns i is reasonable TO presume that more
perfect system would produce much greater results
There abundant evidence to prove that in the rich au
vial Valleys wheat and barley have produced from forty
to sixty bushels from one bushel OF seed, whou hrga
ton. -,
Irish potatoes turnps, onions-in fact all the edible
roots known and cultivated in the Atlantic Siaesare pro-
duced in great perfection In all the valleys east OF the