The Sierra citizen., 1854-10-14
Wrstten for the Citi=en.l

M Cs cau jose tauey.
Thinking that some of your readers
might be interested with description Of
some of the lower vallies of this State
will attempt, in brief manner, to de-
scribe some of the places with which l am
familiar. will commence at Oakland
the Brooklyn, las it is called by some) OF
San Francisco. 1t is truly lovely place,
already shaded by nature, its groves and
oak trees form one of the principal fea-
lures Of its beauty, added to that, there are
now very many elegant and delightful
private dwellings, and cottages, with large
and spacious lots, neatly fenced and all
painted, mostly white. In the spring this
place presents an air of neatness, beauty
and loveliness, hardly surpassed by any
place in our State; the climate is very
healthy and not as cold as San Francisco,
and is generally conceded rather pleasant;
but the soil is not very good, being very
sandy, and in summer the sand is very
disagreeable. From Oakland as you pass
up the valley towards San Jose, the soil
is much better, in fact some of the best
land in the State lies in this region, and
much of it very pleasantly situated, slight
ly declining toward the bay, in many
places San Francisco is in view. The
prospect from this section at all times is
very interesting, but especially so in
Spring, with the green and rolling hills
behind you, with the fertile and beautiful
valley spread out on either side, decked
with flowers, carpeted with green grass,
or waving fields of grain, with the Bay of
San francisco in front, with now and then
a sail IN sight, the craft of which is wend-
ing its way across its bright surface, laden
with the products of our own land; and
then, the Empire. City of the Pacific be-
held IN the distance in all its pride and
glory, presents scene truly pleasing to
the lovers OF nature and art combined.
AS you pass up, you travel for some miles
over very fertile soil, wholly occupied
and partly fenced, with now and then
good farmhouse to be seen. You soon
arrive at Union City, the place where
Horner has figured so largely is still
there, and owns Touring mill The vii
lage is not very interesting, but the land
is good around it. As you leave that for
the Mission of San Jose, you pass over
very fine road, broad and straight, and
good land on either side, with many fine
farms and good buildings, which are very
pleasing to the eye Of those who feel all
interest in the many improvements going
on in our State.
The Mission of San Jose will now re-
ceive our attention for a short time. It
is situated upon elevated land-a sort of
table land, surrounded by rolling hills;
the soil is excellent; in fact, it is one of
natures choicest spots; and a most excel
lent location for fruit trees and vines.
The old Mission orchard bears full testi-
mony to this fact in the abundance of its
fruit. This is the place where Mr.. Beard,
the great California farmer, resides; his
farming like many others has been -alosing
business for the last two seasons. AS You
leave the Mission on your way to San
Jose City, you pass in sight of the Mine
raj Springs, a place kept by Frenchman,
for invalids, and others that may choose
to visit there; he has bathing place sup
piled by the mineral water, which is said
to have good medicinal properties in it.
From the Mission to San Jose City there
is nothing of interest to note; some good
land and few fine farms on. the way. San
Jose City now calls our attention; it is
situated in or near the middle of the San
ia Clara valley, and derives its support
wholly from the agricultural resources
around it. 1t is located very pleasantly,
and is destined to be a place of considera-
BILE Importance, located as it is in the
heart OF one ofthe best valleys in the State,
with climate not surpassed by any in
the world, with fertile soil, an easy and
cheap conveyance to San Francisco, with
q prospect OF a arailroad soon, it can but
be the garden spot of our State. Society
here now Is the best in the country, and
still improving "a number of churches.
and as for schools, this place and Santa
Clara is acknowledged to be the seat of
learning in this State;, but at present the
valley is not improving very rapidly; the
farmers are all groaning under the low