Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-12-08
Agriculture in California.

Agriculture kn SSksssOEla.
The following extract from an address de-
liyered before an agricultural society at
Sacramento City, by DR.. ]. F. Morse, for
nerly editor of the Union, of that city CON
sains some interesting statistics OF the ag-
ricultural advantages and capabilities OF
California:
I'VE all know that the world, by fore
gone and tangent conclusion, has set down
California as a sort of desert waste-so dry
and barren that the feltilizing hoof Of Pc
rasus could not redeem it from total Ste
rllity. And yet, strange to relate, no coun-
try in the universe eau exhibit i more pro-
lite soil, or climate aud topography more
perfectly adapted to the wishes OF husband
men. In proof Of this, VIC invite the atten-
ton of the world to the following descrip-
tons Of the vegetable productions of Cali
fornia in her ncIpient development.
1--WE will first call your attention to some
of the general results Of husbandry IN our
immediate vicinity, and by these YOU can
q. glance perceive the power of Callior-
MA agriculture as asource Of wealth. First,
we refer YOU to Maj. Bennett, an enterpri-
sing farmer upon the American river
This gentleman cultiyates one hundred
acres Of land, thirty acres devoted to gar
den vegetables, and sixty acres devoted to
grains. He employs ten men as laborerS,
and from his garden alone sends one load
of vegetables daily to this city, and from
two TO three loads per week to the mines.
Tha: sent to this city yields him S25 per
load; that sent to the mines, $40 per load
total receipts for the garden alone, $685.
per week
'This gentleman has contributed to the
fair squash weighing 1851 pounds, and
from one vine he has gathered in weight
of squashes 1919. Maj. Bennett urges the
necessity of deep ploughing.
"Messrs. Smith and Barber, couple OF
energetic farmers upon the American NV
er, cultivate fifty acres thirty acres devot.
cd to garden vegetables; employ ten men,
aud bring to our city, from this source a.
lone, two loads per day averaging $50 pei
load. These gentlemen also strenuously
urge the use Of the sub-soil ploughs.
''Mr. Southwck, gentleman who ha:
paid most commendable attention to the
dairy business, gives us the following re-
port: He keeps one hundred and twenty
Eve COWS, employs eight men, at a cost OF
$500 per month in the aggregate he sells
per day one hundred and seventy-five gal
Ions OF milk, at 81 per gallon, yielding him
a monthly income Of S5,250, or an annual
revenue from this source alone OF 500, 900
"Next we would like to direct your at
tention to the magnificent results Of agrl'
culture under the energetic patronage Of
our worthy mayor, General hutchinson
Late in the season he commenced the cul-
tivation Of eight hundred acres of land on
Putah creek. From this area he raised al
average of fifty-threc bushels of barley tc
the acre, the average weight per bushel be-
ing fifty-two pounds. Total yield in bush
els, 42,4O0; total yield in weight, 2,299..
600. The value of this immense crop, a
four cents per pound, would amount to ar
aggregate of S91, 584.
"Mr. ]. c. Davis, who manifests an ex
haustless interest in the general advance
ment of agriculture, has ranch, or farm
Of one-half league; six hundred acres Of
this are under fence. He has two thou
sand head Of stock raised the last season
two thousand bushels Of grain and one hun
dred tons of hay.
next allow me to call your attention t
the agricultural efforts of. NJ. Horner
Esq, Of San Jose valley. Mr.. Horner, OF
two hundred acres, raised Is, 900 bushels
Of barley-an average of eighty bushels t
L. bs
harvested an average of forty-eight bush
els per acre. From FIVE hundred acres h,
received an aggregate Of $4,000 bushels
one and half million pounds, or in value
about $50, 900 at present prices.
"Mr. Horner also cultivated one hundred
and fifty acres devoted to potatoes, yielding
an average Of six hundred and ninety bush
els per acre, and an aggregate of $500
bushels, or at present price, 81 per bushel
yielding a revenue OF 1924, 900. In addi
ton, large crops of wheat and oats stats
tics not yet received.
Mr.. Z. L. Beard, also of San Jose val
ley, another very limited cultivator of tht
soil appropriated FIVE hundred and forty
acres 20 barley, wheat and oats-averag
yield per acre fifty bushels-total amount
$4,000 bushels, or 1,S5000O pounds. Il
addition to this are two hundred and sixt,
acres of potatoes, averaging two hundred
aud fifty bushels per acre-total amount
$4,000 bushels aggregate amount in val
ue, $3.50, 900. And, again, this magniii
cent husbandmau has raised, in addition t
the above, $50, 1000 pounds of onions, so,
900 pounds of grapes, and twenty-tour acre
of cabbages.
"In addition to these general description
and statistics of crops, we wish 10 invit
the worlds attention to the following pro
ducts, which are now on exhibition at Col
Warren's hail.
"A squash from Maj. Bennett 10S lbs.
feet s inches in circumference.
"A squash from Maj. Bennett IS lbs.
feet inches in circumference.
"a squash from Droutmau s Co. rs lbs
s feet inches in circumference.
"a squash from MIR. Homer 80 lbs.
feet 8 inches in circumference.
"a squash from Mr.. Horncr 81 lbs.
feet 8 inches in circumference.
"From H. B. Crist three watermelons.
zone 81 feet in circumference, weighing
a pounds.
lone feet in circumference, weighin
20 pounds.
lone p feet in circumference weighlni
SO pound.
Potatoes from Mr.. Horner, 4! pound
each.
Potatoes from E. G. Beard, bushel a