The Empire County argus. [volume] (Coloma, El Dorado County, Cal.) 1853-1857, 1853-12-31
GRIST-MILL, GRAIN GROWING, &c.

! We are gratifed to learn that onr enterprising
townsman MIR. H. w. Griswold intends turning his
saw-mll into grist-mll and that it will be ready
for use in time for the next crop Our hills and
valleys are admirably adapted to growing grain
Large quantities of land are already under cultva-
ton in this county, and new ranches constantly
being taken up. In few years at farthest enough
grain will be grown in the mines for home consun,p-
tion--a desirable consummation- probably con-
siderable for expectation. The numerous canals
that run in every direction through county, not
only benefit the miner and stockholdcr but the ae-
riculturalist A number of ranches are irrigated
and made valuable and productive by the introduce
ton of water from canals.
Experience has shown that with but small
amount of labor the innumerablc small valleys that
arc spotted all over our county, will produce an
abundance of vegetables. wheat barley, &c. and a
number of persons in our immediate ncighborhood
have been engaged for time past in gardening,
one of the most pleasant and lucrative occupations
in this region, and have realized handsome little
competence thercfrom. We are acquainted with
two firms each of which cleared, within the short
space of ten months, upwards of eight thousand
dollars from vegetables alone. The land they had
under cultivation was small in quantity and poor
in quality. Next year they intend going into it
more extensively, 1t pays better than mining, is
not such hard work, and good crop may be safely
counted on.
A fortnight ago we were shown some wheat by
our friend Coolidge of Peru, grown on his ranch,
about five miles above this place, which for large
ness, plumpness and weight excelled any thing of
the kind we ever saw. The heads were extremely
large and the grain full, white and solid. 1t aver
aged GS pounds to the bushel-a weight that has
rarely BEEN if ever, oqualled in the Atlantic States
Last season he had but small quantity sown, and
it was done more for an experiment than from
prospect of realizing crop from it. The expert
mcnt proved highly successful and since it turned
out so far beyond his expectations, he intends to
sow about thirty acres.
When mills are once established in our midst,
much land that is unproductive will be brought
under cultivation. The absence of market at
home and the difficulty and expense of taking our
surplus produce to market have seriously retarded
the cultivation of land in the mountains. Hitherto
the attention of our farmers has been bestowed al
most wholly upon raising chickens and pigs which
always find ready sale here, hereafter we hope it
will be upon grain and vegetables
The cultivation of land brings in its train perma-
ncncy of settlement, spirit OF improvement, refine
mcnt and advancement, deeper interest in the
welfare of the State, regard for the amenities of
society, just appreciation of fair and honorable
dealing security, wealth. comfort--churches schools,
Il. f IL.
miner, discomfort and restessness give place to re-
pose and quetness Our population become fixed
and their affections cling to favorte spot, and
they peacefully settle down in some pleasant neigh
borhood, where the inconvenience and discomfort
almost inseparable from the settlement of new
country, entirely forgotten in the pleasure,
curity and happiness of their new homes.
We earnestly hope that the enterprise in which
Mr. Grswold is engaged may prove successful and
highly profitable.