The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-03-24
California;.

From an interesting letter which we find in the
Southern Patriot, we make the following extract: :
California possesses interest in an agricultural,
as we'll mineral point OF view, although iarm-
ing is yet in its infancy here. So lar as trled'
however, it has proved very profitable, and no
doubt will, ere long, become very extensive and
important branch Of business. | am aware that
very general, but erroneous, impression has
prevailed, that California could never be much Of
farming gcountry-princpally for two reasons !:
1t was thought to contain but a very Limited
quantity of land sufficiently fertile and otherwise
suitable for farming purposes; and that but
small portion OF what was fertile could be cuttI-
waited, on account Of the total absence OF rain or
dew for one.half Of the year. But the fact Is,
that most Of the land deemed valueless at first
sight, BY those unacquaned with the peculiar
formation and texture of the soil here, is really OF
the most valuable and productive kind, when sub
ected to the proper mode OF cultivation, the Prin-
cipa feature of which is irrigation. This can be
accomplished by The same simple system that is
now used to convey water in al! directions, over
hills, valleys and plains, through the mining re-
g:on, by means Of small canals or bitches, and
wooden fumes acqueducts.
The geographical TEXTURES Of the country render
the application of this system to farming purposes
both easy and cheap; and when the lands of Cali.
fornia shall have once been brough under its
products that will appear surprising as were
the first reports 10 relation to gold. Indeed, the
splendid crops of wheat. barley, potatoes, onions,
turnips and all kinds of garden vegetables already
produced here, would astonish the farmers OF the
old States. In the rich bottoms Of the fertile VAL
leys Of the Sacramento and other large rivers, IT
is almost incredible to what size these vegetables
grow. Wafer melons weighing forty and fifty
pounds, and lying, too on the vines thick
s ~ nd
thirty pounds; potatoes from three to five pounds,
&C.; and retaining, too, all the delrcacy OF those
Of more moderate growth. Except Indian corn,
| know of nothing grown as a farm product in
the other States that cannot be grown equally
we'll here and there are several articles that
either cannot be produced at all, or at least not
with much certainty profit, in any of the other
States, which will flourish here in the greatest
perfection. Among these olives, prunes,
oranges, lemons, bananas several kinds Of very
valuable wine grapes, &C., &c.
1t has, you know, been celebrated from the
time of its discovery for its immense herds Of
wild cattle, horses, elk, deer and antelope be-
sides great numbers Of bear and other animals !;
from which you might infer that it is we'll adapted
to the raising Of stock-and such is the fact
During the winter and spring the plains and val
leys OF the large streams afford the finest pasture,
and as the hot season advances and the grass in
tance up their tributaries brings you to the noun
tain valleys and meadows, where the spring is
again renewed. And the fresh and tender grass,
the pure water, the cool shade-wilhout flies or
mosqutoes-soon make the cattle too fat for good
beef. AS winter approaches, and what is called
the wet season set in, the grass is again renewed
in the lower valleys; ;he plains once more
covered with herbs and flowers, and thilher the
sleek herds-scentlng the sweet perfume as it
floats on the pure air-agsin bend their course,
feeding Iesureiy as they go. Now, this may
sound to some Of your readers more like poetry
than truth but is literally true, nevertheless.
1t was but yesterday that some friends of mine
sportsmen-drove up to my door with a wagon
load Of two hundred ducks and geese, VIII ch they
had killed in one day. And for fish, though it
cannot boast so many varieties some countries
yet, 10 the abundance and good quality of those
which it does produce, it is without parallel.