The Sierra citizen., 1854-07-22
Dovnevile Sierra (ouny California Saturday July g. 1854
Lower California.
A WF1rER in the July number Of the
Pioneer magazine, thus speaks Of Lower
California.


Pioneer magazine, thus speaks Of Lover
California.
/ "Of the productions Of the country those
raised in largestquantities, are sugar cane.
Indian corn, sweet potatoes, onions,
oranges, figs and grapes. Other fruits are
cultivated in small quantities, such as
lines, plantains, .citrons, cocoa-nuts,
guavas, pomcgranates, dates, &c. The
cotton-plant grows wild in some parts, ard
little tobacco is cultivated. Corn is the
staple breadstuf The women pound it
into -four with two stones, one Of which
is used as roller in the hands, while the
other, which is fat and about sixteen
inches long by ten wide. It is baked in
the shape of pancakes, called tortillas.
which are very palatable while hot The
produce of the sugar-cane is manufactured
into round cakes similar in appearance to
those of maple-sugar which we see in the
northern States. In this State it is known
as panoche, and is used as common arti-
Gle of food, in connection with bread or
cheese. During our residence we consumed
a great deal of it. Quantities of figs are
dried and packed in raw-hide bags. They
are ofgood quality. A little wine is manu-
featured from the grapes, but it is indif-
ferent stuff. The inhabitants prefer to
sell the grapes, which they find an OPP
portunity to do to strangers visiting the
country, or vessels touching at the ports.
There is another fruit which is indigenous,
and grows in great abundance through
out the country, which is worthy. of
mention in this place. 1t is the fruit of
certain cactus trees, and is called peialla.
1t grows to the size OF common oranges
or apples; the pulp resembles the straw
berry. those of one tree being of blood
red, while those Of another are of a pale
white color. Its skin is covered with in
Vulnerable prickles. It is undoubtedly a
very delicious fruit. 1t is sometimes .put
up III jars as preserve; but to be appre-
ciated it must be plucked from the tree
and eaten with all its juiciness still in it.
ltr.pens from July to December, and the
tree is seen bearing blossoms and ripe fruit
at one and the same time. In the season
mentioned, the traveller in Lower Califor-
MIA can feast himself to his hearts content
Oh this fruit.
The climate Of the Peninsula is GER
tainly the most delightful | ever enjoyed
Ii Italian skies are surpassed, it is here
Painter never saw or imagined more
serene. beautiful skies, or more magnifi-
cent sunsets. The orb of day sinks be-
meath the horizon every evening in glory
Of golden fire. Such clear, blue skies =
such delicate tints-such magnificent sun
sets-the eye of man has never seen else
where. If God has been chary of his gifts
to the land Of Lower California, He has
blessed it with a climate matchless in the
wide worlds domain, Healthier, purer,
or more mvigorating air, was never
breathed; and it is not improbable to sup
pose that when the Pacific shores become
more thickly populated, this viii become
the resort of invalids in search of health.
| certainly believe that the air of Lower
California would be most efficacious in the
cases Of consumptive persons. The in
habitants live to good old age. Winter
is unknown in this favored cline, and one
may sleep in the open air the year round,
without harm, except during the short
rainy season. This occurs in the months
of August and September. Even in these
months, there is much dry weather; but
when rain falls it comes in perfect tor
rents, often accompanied by thunder and
lightning. Fierce hurricanes sometimes
attend these showers, and the arroyos pour
down resistless torrents to the sea.
/ The majority Of the people are wretched-
ly poor. 1t is astonishing how they
manage to live, SO limited are their re-
sources. Many of them know net TO-DAY
where tomorrow 5 subsistence shall come
from. The poverty Of the soil and their
own Incidence, make their condition a
truly deplorable one. Many are poems
for life to those in better circumstances.
Their wants must be supplied, and are,
generally, by those who need their servi-
ces; once in debt, they, find it difficult to
release themselves from it. They are a
hospitable. kind and well-disposed people,
Whose doors are ever open to the stranger.