Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-03
AL Monterev we find the mean monthly temperature

tween summer and winter
The mean temperature OF San Francisco, for the
three winter months was precisely the at Mon
terey-a little over AZ deg
AS these cities only about one degree and hall
distant from each other and both situated the
ocean, the temperature at both, in summer, may very
reasonably be supposed to be nearly similar as the
thermometer shows 1t TO be In winter.
The mean temperature of July, August and Septem-
Der, at San Diego, only deg SO mn south of Monte
rey, was 72deg. The mean temperature of the same
months at Monterey was little over SO deg; showing
mean difference OF 10 deg
This would seem to indicate that the cold ocean
rent is thrown off from the southern part of the
by Point Conception and the islands south OF it; and
consequently its influence the climate of San Diego
is much less than at Monterey and San Francisco
AT Los Angeles, 40 miles distant from the coast the
mean temperature of the three months IA deg; of
the three autumn months 81 deg; of the three winter
months 81 deg.
At Sutersvile, about hundred and thirty miles,
from the ocean; and four degrees north of Los Angeles
the temperature OF August September and October
was 81 deg. The mean temperature of the same
months at Monterey So deg. showing difference
Of deg between the sea-coas and the interior on
ly the same parallel oflatitude. A much greater diff
ference would undoubtedly appear if we had observa
ton for the spring and summer months at Suttersve
and the gold Mines
These variations in the climate OF California account
for the various and conflicting opinions and statements
respecting it.
A stranger arriving at San Francisco in summer is
annoyed by the cold winds aud fogs, and pronounces
IL
not Danish his dislike, and he will fail appreciate
the beneficial effects OF cool, bracng atmosphere
Those who approach California overland, through the
passes OF the mountains find the heat OF summer, in
the middle OF the day. greater than they have been
customed to, and therefore may complain OF it.
Those who take up their residence in the valleys
which situated between the great plain OF the Sac
ramento and San Joaquin and the coast range ofhills
find the climate, especially in the dry season, health
u and pleasant it possible for any climate to be
which possesses sufficient heat to mature the cereal
grains and edible roots OF the temperate zone
The division otthe year into two distinct seasons-dy
and wet-impresses those Who have been accustomed
to the variable climate OF the Atlantic States unavoa
bly,. The dry appearance OF the country in summer,
and the difficulty OF moving about in winter seem to i'm
pose serious difficulties in the way of agricultural pros
perity, while the many and decided advantages resulting
from the mldness OF winter and the bright clear wealth
er OF summer, are not appreciated These will appear
when come to speak OF the productions of California.
We ought not to be surprised at the dislike which the
immigrants frequently express to the climate. 1t is
unlike that from which they come, that they cannot
readily appreciate its advantages, become reconcied
to its extremes OF dry and ana wet.
If native of California were to go to New England
in winter and see the ground frozen and covered with
snow the streams with ice, and find himself in tenn
perature many degrees colder than he had felt be-
FORE he would probably be as much surprised that peo
pie could or would live in nhospitabIe region,
any immigrant ever has been at what he has seen felt
inCaltornia.
So much are our opinions influenced by early impress
sions, the vlcsstudes OF the season with which are
familiar, love OF country, home and kindred that we
ought never to hazard hasty opinion when we come
in contact with circumstances entirely different from
those to which we have all lives been accustom-
ed.
SOIL.
The valleys which situated parallel to the coast
range, and those which extend eastwardy in all direc
tons among the hills, towards the great plain OF the Sa
| cramento, are of unsurpassed fertility
They have deep black, alluvial SOIL which has the
appearance OF having been deposited when they were
b;1,l
fact that the rising grounds of the borders OF these val
leys, and many hills of moderate elevation have soil
precisely like that of the adjoining plains
This soil ls so porous that it remains perfectly unbro
ken by gues, Notwithstanding the great quantity Of
water which falls in it annually during the wet season.
The land in the northern part Of the territory on the
Trinity and other rivers, and the borders OF Clear
Lake, far as has been examined is said to be re-
markaby fertile.
The great valley OF the Sacramento and San Joaquin
has evidently BEEN at some remote period the bed OF
lake; and those rvers which drain it, present the ap-
pearauce of having cut their channels through the alu
vial deposit after it had been formed. In fact it not
possible that they could have been instrumental in form
ing the plain through which they pass. Their head wa
tiers come from the extreme ends OF the valley, north
and SOUTH and it not tor the supply of water re-
ceived from the which flow into them from the
Sierra Nevada, their beds would be almost, if not quite
dry in the summer months. The soil very rch and
with proper system of drainage and embankment
would undoubtedly, be capable OF producing any CROP
except sugar cane now cultivated in the Atlantic States
OF the Union.
There are many beautiful valleys and rich hill-sides
among the foot hills ofthe Sierra Nevada, which, when
the profits OF labor in mining shall be reduced
cause It's application to agriculture, will probably sup
port large population There is said to be rich belt
Of we'll imbered and watered country extending the
whole length OF the gold region between it and the
Sierra Nevada, some twenty miles In width There
no information sufficiently accurate respecting the east
ern slope OF the great snowy range to enable form
any opinion OF its general character soil. Some Of
its valleys have been visited by miners who represent
them equal to any portion ofthe country the west
ward OF it.
The great valley of the Colorado, situated between
the Sierra Madre and the Sierra Nevada, is but little
known. 1t is inhabited by tribes of savages,
who manifest the most decided hostility towards the
whites and have hitherto prevented any explorations of
their country, and do not permit emigrants pass
through it, Therefore, parties from Santa Fe, on their
way to California, are compelled to make circuit of
about the distance southwark by the route Of the
ella Although this valley is little known there are in
dcations that it is fertile and valuable.
The name of therver Colorado" is descriptive of its
waters; they deeply colored those OF the Mis-
souri, Red River, while those OF the Gila which we
know flows through barren lands are clear
1t would seem impossible for large river to collect
sediment enough in sandy, barren SOIL to color its
ter SO deeply as to give name among those who first
discovered and have since visited its shores. The pro-
liability therefore, is that this river flows through al
lnval valley OF great fertility which has never been
poed This conjecture is strengthened by the fact that
the Indians who nhabit are hostile, and oppose, as tar
they can all persons who attempt enter explore
it, This has been their uniform OF conduct res
pecting all portions OF the continent which have been
fertile Astounding in game and the spontaneous produc-
tons OF the earth.
AS this valley is situated in the direct route from Santa
Fe to California its thorough exploration becomes
matter OF very great importance especially as tits high
yprobable that the elevated regions to the north OF it,
covered with during most OF the year, will force
the line OF the great national railway to the Pacific
through some portion of it.
The soil have described situated west OF the Sierra
Nevada and embracing the plain OF the Sacramento
and San Joaquin, covers area nearly as can es-
innate of between fifty and sixty thousand square miles
and would under proper system of cultivation, be ca
pabe OF supporting population equal to that of Ohio
or New Y DIRK at the present time.
TO BE CONTINUED
From the Home Journal.
THE FLAG OF OUR UNION.
BY GEORGE P. MORRIS.
"a song for our banner p'-'The watchword recall
b;nb +L,,v L. lo,.