The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-05-01
PRODUCTS OF CALIFORNIA.

and the discovery of gold, the exportable pro.
ducts OF all the country consisted almost exclu-
sivdly of hides and tallow. The Californians
were pastoral people, and paid much more at
tention 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 fer home
consumption, but as far as l am informed, not
for expectation. At that time full grown OK or
COW, was worth about two dollars Beef cattle
delivered on the navigable waters of the bay of
San francisco, are now worth from 500 to $50
per head; horses, formerly worth from SIS to $40
are now valued at 500 to $3.50. The destruc-
ton of cate for hides and tallow has now ent ire
ly ceased in consequence of the demand for beef.
This demand will of course increase with the
population; and it would seem that, in a very
few years, there will be none to supply the mar
ket.
1t we estimate the number of cattle, now in
California, at 100000 head, which is believed to
be about the number-and the population at 100,
600, for the year 1864 low estirlate-and sup
pose it would increase 100000 per annum, there
will be in the territory State, in 1854, $50, ,OCO
people.
five adopt the estimate of those we'll ac-
quainted with the demand, of half beef on an
average to each inhabtant, it appears there will
be consumption in 1850 of 100000; 1858, of
2lO, 900; in 1854 of 100000. Making an aver
age of 100000 which would absorb all the pres
ent stock, with natural increase.
Ihls is very important matter, connect
ed with the amount of supply which that coun-
try will ultimately require from the Atlantic
States of the Union. There is no other coun-
try on earth which has, or ever will possess the
means of supplying so great demand.
1t is now we'll established fact among the
emigrants to California, that oxen possess grea-
tor NM ~ ~,,I,, -
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 dis
tant when cattle from the Western States will
be driven annually by tens of thousands to sup
ply this new market.
II California increases in population as fast as
the most moderate estimate would lead us to be-
eve, it will not be five years before she will re-
qulre more than one hundred thousand head of
beef cattle per annum from some quarter, to sup
ply the wants Of her people.
1t must not be supposed that salt provisions
may supply this vast demand Those who have
attempted to live on such food, during the dry
seasons, have been attacked with scurvy and O.
ther cutaneous diseases, of wh ch many have
died.
There is no climate in the world where fresh
meat and vegetables are more essential to hui
man health. In fact, they are indispensable.
II must not be inferred that cattle driven across
the plains and mountains, from the western
States, will be fit for beef on their arrival in Ca
lltornla. But one winter and spring on the lux
urant pastures of that country will put them in
condition which would render them acceptable
in any Atlantic market
These grazing grounds are extensive enough
to support five times as many cattle as may be
annually required therefore there will be no
scarcity of food for them.
l am acquainted with drover who left Cali
tornla In December last, with the intention of
bringing IN ten thousand sheep from New Mexi
CO. This shows the f1ocks and herds, east ofthe
Rocky Mountains, are looked to already as the
source from which the markets on the Pacific
are to be supplied.
The climate and soil of California are we'll
suited to the growth Of wheat, barley, rye and
oats. The temperature along the coast is too
cool for the successful cultivation of maize, as
crop. The fact that oats, the species which is
cultivated in the Atlantic States, are annually
self-sowed and produced on all the plains and
hills along the coast and far inland as the sea
breeze has marked influence on the climate is
sufficient proof that all the cereal grains may be
successfully cultivated without the aid ofirriga-
ton. "a
1t Is quite true that this auxiliary was extern
sively employed at the missions, and undoubt-
edly increased the product of all crops to which
it was applied, as it will in any country on earth
if skilfully used. This does not prove, however,
that it was essentially necessary to the produc-
ton OF an ample reward to the husbandman-
The expences of all the old inhabitants is suffi
cient evidence Of this. If their imperfect mode
OF culture secured satisfactory returns, it is
enable to presume that more perfect system
would nr01l1Cn mnch Nhnro ,e
abundant evidence to prove, that, in the rich al
luvial valleys, wheat and barley have produced
from forty to sixty bushels from one bushel of
seed, pithout irrigation.
Irish potatoes, turnips, onions, in fact all the
edible roots known and cultivated in the Allan
tic 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 tobacco -.
The cultivation of the grape has attracted much
attention at the missions, among the residents of
towns, and the rural population, and been atten-
ded with much success, wherever it has been
attempted. The dry season secures the fruit
from those diseases which are so fatal in the At
lantic States, and iattains very great perfection
The wine made from it is of excellent quality.
The grapes are delicious, and produced with We.
ry little labor labor. When taken from the vines
in punches and suspended in dry room, by the
stems, they become partially dry, retain their
flavor, land remain several weeks, perhaps months,
without decay. ..r :..~
Apples, pears and peaches are cultivated with
facility, and there is reason to doubt that all
the fruits of the Atlantic States can be produced
in great plenty and perfection.
The grasses are very luxuriant and nutricous,
affording excellent pasture. The oats, which
spring up the whole length of the sea-coast, and
from forty to sixty miles inland, render the cul-
tivation Of that crop entirely unnecessary, and
yield very great quantity of nutritious food for
horses, cattle and sheep The dry season ma
lures, and may say, cures the grasses and oats,
SO that they remain in an excellent state Of pre-
servation during the summer and autumn, and
afford an amply supply Of forage While the
whole surface of the country appears parched,
and vegetation destroyed, the numerous fiocks
and herds, which roam over it, continue in ex-
cellent condition. q" I.@". . '.& "...'.#t .
Although the mildness of the winter months
and the fertility of the soil secure to California
very decided agricultural advantages, it is ad.
mitted that irrigation would be of very great i'm
portance, and necessarily increase the products
Of the soil in quantity and variety, during the
greater part of the dry season. 1t should there