Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-04-18

bringing In ten thousand sheep IRON New-Nexi-
co. This shows that the focks and herds east
of the Rocky Mountains are looked 10 already |
as the source from which the markets on the Pa |
cifc are to be sapplied,
The climate and soil of California are well |
suited &c the growth Of wheat, barley, rye and |
Gate. The temperature along the coast is too
seol for the successful culture of maize, as a
held crop. The fact that oats the species which
Is cultivated in Inc Atlantic States, are annually
self-sowed and produced on all the plans and
hills along the coast, and as far inland as the
sea-breeze has a marked influence on the eli
mete, Is sufficient proof that all the cereal grains
nsy be successfully cultivated without the aid of
irrigation.
1t is quite true that This auxiliary was extern
sively employed at the missions, and uudoubted-
ly increased the product Of all crops to which ii
was applied, as it will in any country on earth
if skiilfully used. This does not lrove, howev-
er, that it was essentially necessary to the produc-
ton OF an ample reward to the husbandH,nn.-
The experience of all the old inhabitants is suf.
fcIeut evidence of this. If their imperfect
mode OF culture secured satisfactory returns, it
is reasonable to presume that more perfect sys-
TEN would produce much greater results. There
is abundant evidence to prove that, in the rich
allavial valleys, wheat and barley have produced
from forty to sixty bushels from one bushel of
seed, iUithout 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 resi-
dents of towns, and the rural population, and
been attended with much success, wherever 1t
has been attempted. The dry season secures
the fruit from those diseases which are SO COM
mon IL the Atlantic States, and it attalns very
great perfection.
The wine made from il is of excellent quality.
very palatable, and can be produced in any
quantity. The grapes delicious and produc-
ed with very little labor. When taken from the
vines in punches snd suspended in dry room.
by the stems, they become partially dry, retain
their flavor, and remain several weeks, perhaps
months, without decay.
Apples, pears and peaches are cntivated 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 verv uxurant and nutritious,
uffording 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
Nttiu Il very great qudHAhF VI humorous ioou
for horses, cattle and sheep. The dry season
natures. and may say, cures these grasses and
oats, that they remain in an excellent state OF
preservation during the Summer and Autumn,
and afford an ample supply Of icrage. Nlhie
the whole surface of the country appears parch-
ed, and vegetation destroyed, the numerous
flocks and herds which roam over It continue In
excellent condition.
Although the mdness of the winter months
and the fertility OF the soil secure to California
very decided agricultural advantages, ii is ad-
mltled that irrigation would be OF very great
importance, and necessarily increase the pro-
ducts of the soil in dry seasons. IL should there
fore be encouraged by Government IN the sur
vey and disposition of the public lands as FAR as
practicable.
The farmer derives some very Important bene
fits from the dry season. His crops in harvest
time never injured by rain he can with per-
fact confidence, permit them TO remain IN his
field as long after they have been gathered as
his convenience may require; he has no fears
that they will be injured by wet or unfavorable
weather. Hence ii is that many vino have long
been accustomed to that climate, prefer 1t to the
changeabe weather cast OF the Rocky Noun
:aiHs.
AS already stated, the forests Of California,
south of latitude 390, and est of the foothills
of the Sierra Nevada. are limited TO detached.
scattering groves of oak in the valleys, and OF
redwood on the ridges and on the gorges Of the
hills
1t can be of no practical. use to speculate on
the causes which have denuded so large ex
lent OF country, further than to ascertain wheth
er The soil is or is not favorable to the growth of
forest trees.
VIXEN the dry season sets in, The entire sur
face is covered with a .uxuriant growth of grass
and oats, which, as the summer advances, be-
comes perfectly dry. The remains Of all dead
uees and shrubs also become dry. These ma
terals, therefore, are very combustible, and US
ually take fire in the latter part of summer and
beginning of Autumn, which commonly passes
over the whole country, destroying in its course,
the young shrubs and Trees In fact, IT seems
to be the process which seems to have destroyed
or prevented the growth of forest trees on the
prairies of the Western States, and not any
quality in the soil unfriendly to their growth.
The absence of timber and the continuance of
the dry season apt TO be regarded by farm
ers, OF first going into the country as irremedl-
able defects, and as presenting obstacles almost
insvrmountable to the successful progress OF ag-
riculIure. A little experience viii modify these
opinions.
Il is soon ascer,ained that the soil will pro-
duce ahundaniy WITHOUT manure; that focss
and herds sustain themselves through the winter
without being fed at the farm-yard, and, conse
quently no labor is necessary 10 provide forage
for them: that bitches are easily dug, which
present very good barriers for The protection OF
crops, until live fences can be planted and have
time 10 grow. Forest trees may be planted with
little labor, and in very few years attain suti-
ciont size for building and fencing purposes. =
Time may be useiully employed in sowing var-
Gus grain and root crops, during the wet or WIN
ter season. There is no weather cold enough to
destroy root crops, and, therefore, it is not neces
sary to gather them. They can be sold from the
field where they grow. The labor, therefore,
required in most OF the old States to fell the for
esls, clear the lands of rubbish, and prepare Ii
.cr seed, may here be applied to other objects.
All these things, together with the perfect Sc
curly Of all crops, in huryest time, from injury BY
,rei ,ssnther, probably sufficient to meet any
expense which may be incurred in irrigation, or
caused for time by scanty supply Of timber
In the northern part OF the territory, above lat
itude 80 and on the hills, which rise from the
grea; plain of the Sacramento and San Joaquin,
TO the foot of the Sierra Nevada, the forests OF
timber beautiful and extensive, and would
if brought into use. be sufficiently productive TO