Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-04-25

Irish potatoes turnirS, onions, in fact all the ed
lille roots known and in the Atlantic States
are produced in great perfection In all the valleys
east Of the coast range of hills the climate is SUM-
GENTLY 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 attended
The dry season secures the fruit from those disea-
ses which are SO fatal in the Atlantic States, and
1t attains very great perfection.
The wine made from it is Of excellent quality,
very palstahe, and can be produced in any quanti-
ty. The grapes are 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 flavor, and
remain several weeks, perhaps months, without
decay.
Apples, pears, and peaches, are cultivated with
facility, and there is 10 doubt that all the
fruits Of the Atlantic states can be produced in
great plenty and perfection.
The grasses are very luxuriant and nutritious,
af0rainE excellent pasture. The oats, which spring
up the whole length of the seacoast and from forty
to 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 season natures, and may say,
csres these grasses and oats, SO that they remain
In an excellent state Of preservation during the
summer and autumn, and afford on ample supply Of
forage. While the whole surface of the country
appears parched, and vegetation destroyed, the nu-
merous flocks and herds. which roam over it, con-
tinue in excellent condition.
Although the mildness Of the winter months and
the fertility of the soil to California very
decided agricultural adv antages. is admitted that
irrigation would be OF 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
government, in the survey and disposition Of the
public lands, as Far as practicable.
Thn farc .Nnr .rutnn a
from the dry season. His crops in harvest time
are eyer injured by rain he can with perfect con-
fdence permit them to remain in his fields as long
after they have been gathered as his convenience
may require; he has no fears that they will be in
jured BY wet or unfavorable weather. Hence it is
that many who have long been accustomed to that
climate, prefer to the changeabe weather east of
the Rocky mountains.
As already stated the forests OF California, south
Of latitude 80 deg, and west 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.
It can be Of no practical use to Speculate on the
causes which have denuded so large an extent Of
country, further than to ascertain whether the soil
Is is not favorable to the growth Of forest trees
when the dry season sets in. the entire surface
is covered with luxuriant growth OF grass and
oats, which, as the summer advances. become per-
fectly dry. The remains of all dead trees and shrubs
also become dry. These materials, therefore, are
very comhustible, and usually take fire in the latter
part Of summer and beginning Of autumn, which
commonly passes over the whole county, destroy
ing, in its course. the young shrubs and trees. In
fact, il seems to be the same process which has
destroyed or prevented the growth of forest trees
the prairics Of the western States, and not any
quality in the soil unfriendy to their growth.
The absence Of timber and the continuance Of
the dry season are apt to be regarded by farmers,
on first going into the country, as irremediabe de-
fects. and as presenting obstacles, almost insur-
mountabe, to the successful progress of agricul-
ture. little experience will modify these opin-
ions.
It is soon ascertained that the soil will produce
ahundantly without manure that f0Cks and herds
sustain themselves through the winter without be-
ing fed at the farm. yard, and, consequently, no
labor is necessary to provide forage for them that
bitches are easily dug, which present very good
barriers FOR the protection of crops. until live e
can be plan ted, and have time to grow. Forest
trees may be p,antcd with very little labor, and in
very few years attain sufficient size for building
and fencing purposes. Tire may be usefully en-
rloyed in sowing various grain and root crops dur
Ing the wet or winter season. There is no wea.her
cold enough to destroy root crops, and, therefore,
II is not necessary to gather them. They c>n De
used or SOLD from the field where they grow. The
labor, therefore, required in most of the old States
to fell the forests. clear the land Of rubbish and
prepare it for seed, nsy here be appied to other
objects.
All these things together with the perfect sec.rtfy
Of all crops in hnrcesf time, from tnj~ry by sc reafh
az, are probably sufficient to meet any expense
which may be incurred in irrigation, caused for
time. by a scanty supply Of timber.
In the northern part Of the Territory, above iati-
tude 80 degrees, and on the hills which rise from
the great plain of the Sacramento and San Joaquin,
to the foot Of the Sierra Nevada the forests OF tim
Der are beautiful and extensive, and would, if
brought into use, be sufficiently productive TO sup
ply the wants of the southern and western portions
Of the state.
/ have spoken Of the agricultural products and
resources of the country without reference to the
remarkable state OF things caused BY the discovery
Of gold, which it is probable will postpone for an
indefinite time all efforts to improve the soil. As
long as lahorers can earn fifteen dollars or more
per day, in collecting gold, they very well af
ford to import their suppnes from countries where
the wages OF labor are not more than from fifty
cents to one dollar per day. is not, therefore, to
be supposed that the soil win be cultivated more
than the production OF vegetables, fruits and 9TH
er articles SO pershabe in their nature that they
cannot be brought from great distance, win re-
quire.
To secure this important market for the products
and manufactures Of the States east Of the Rocky
Mountains is undoubtedly object Of the greatest
importance. will be considered in its proper
place.
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