The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-18

Ss.caoox of the Coast Mountains and Part OF
the Sierra Nevada.

SA4AAeA
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
S,eoaouv OF the Coast Mountains and Part or
the Sierra Nevada.
THEIR RESOURCES IN AdRIcULrURE AND MINING
DIR. John B. Trask has concluded and submitted
the report of his geological examination of some
parts of the Sierra Nevada and coast mountains,
authorized under joint resolution passed 9Th May,
1883 by the Senate and Assembly OF the State OF
California. The report is printed in pamphlet form,
and covers some ninety pages-a few extracts from
which will not be uninteresting to our readers.
We commence with some preliminary descriptions
The examinations authorized were entered upon
soon after the passage OF the resolution, and con-
tinued until the 2Sth OF November, comprising
period in the field Of about six months. The first
1--WE weeks were occupied in examinations of the
more elevated and western portions of the com
ties Of Butte, Sierra, Yuba, Nevada and Placer, in
determining as far as possible, the position of an
ancient water course in this section of the State,
and its pecuarties-the description of which will
be found in the body Of this report.
On the 23d June, the southern portion of the
tour was commenced, and carried on almost unin-
tcrruptedly for four months. The route south was
carried through the counties of San Francisco,
Santa Clara Santa Cruz, Monterey and the north
part of Luis 0bispo; on the west, and returning
on the east, (or through that range denominated
the Monte Diablo Range) by the west part Of Tu.
Iare County, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Alameda, Con-
ira Costa and San Joaquin.
The range of country bounded on the north by the
Straits Carquinez, and south by the Nacismiento,
was divided into four sections, formed by lines run
ming nearly east and west from the great valley to
the coast. On the first of October, the country
north of the Straits Carquinez was entered, and
preliminary examin atons only were made in the
counties of Solano, Napa and Sonoma. From the
county of Napa q section was carried across the
basin OF the Sacramento, and connected with ex-
fmanations made two years previous on IT'S eastern
fdge. A similar section was also made, passing
Eighteen miles south of Monte Dablo, and continued
hcross the San Joaquin.
The remainder Of the months of October and No
Bembcr was employed in Investigations OF the middle
mining sections Of the county OF Nevada, and those
intermediate between the former and the middle
and western parts OF Calaveras county. This range
leads through that section in which the principal
gold mines of the middle portions of the State
located and was selected with the view of conduct
ing those examinations which will be found in the
appendix of this report, under the head of Qlartz
Mining. AS those mines have of late pre-
scented many interesting facts connected with
their ultimate prospects, set OF sketches,
representing the positions OF the views and invest
ing rocks has been given for illustrating their pres
ent features
During the tour in the agricultural sections Of the
State the notifications of the soil in different
tions has been noted, and the natural productions
arising resultants, where they seemed OF general
character, and extending over any considerable
area. The oSaline lands have been observed, and
the opportunities that were offered for their reclama-
ton, when at any time demanded The extent of
State Of peculiar interest," and the facts develop
ed in this particular will prove of much value to
agricultural interests, being an exhibition of the
capabilities of some of soils for the production of
the necessares of lfe unexcelled in the history of
the world.
The temperature of the mountainous and valley
sections of both branches of the coast mountains
was noted as far as the nature of attending cir
cumstances would permit, for the purpose OF as
pertaining as far as possible the peculiar adapta-
ton of the different sections to the culture OF exot-
ic fruits and trees, and where no opportunity OF
personal examination offered, careful inquiry OF
persons long resident in different sections was
made, by which many interesting facts have been
obtained relating to this subject.
This report embraces the examination of a dis
4lict of country, included within 40 deg. l6 min.
and l22 deg 80 min. west longitude, and from the
thirty fifth parallel to the thirty ninth degree Of
north latitude, inclusive Of the coast mountains
and mineral districts
The report opens with geological description of
the Monte Dablo range, which, being purely scien-
tc and unnterestng to the general reader, we pass
over and come to
THE SALINAS VALLEY.
The valley is about ninety miles in length, and
has varying breadth OF from eight to fourteen
miles. 1t is situated betvee the coast mountains
and those denominated the Monte Dablo range,
and is bounded on the east by that spur of this
range in which the Gabilan is situated.
The Salinas river flows through this plain from
the Cidesa Pass in which it has its RISE to the bay
of Monterey. The stream for fifty miles OF its course
the nirSss 5sfa6ot dccr wnIcf becomes more
irregular. Three observations taken at diff
ferent points, by which it was estimated that the
river has fall of eighteen inches in one and three
fourths ofsa mile for seventy miles of its course
The bed Of the stream is composed of loose mica
Ceous sand. derived from the granite rocks to the
east and also from the tertiary rocks its western
border; the latter, however, do not enter largely
into its composition.
The plain of the Salinas consists of three terraces
running through nearly its entire length, thus max
ing three different positions which the river has
occupied since the formation of the valley, and it.
recession from the eastern to its western border
where it at present holds its These terraces
are very regular in their general outline and impar
20 the mind an idea that the plain has uniform
grade for its entire BREADTH when the point viewed
Is one or two miles distant. Commencing on the
western side of the valley the lower terrace is found
to occupy breadth of about four miles, and is com
posed OF rich alluvium; at this point the second
terrace rises abruptly to the heighth of eleven feet
ITS average width being nearly That of the former;
this Is also composed OF similar soil the first
though not in so fine state of dsin tegration or
containing so large an amount OF vegetable mould.
Both terraces support dense growth Of indigenous
grasse, and plants thus furnishing an abundant sup
ply OF pasturage for stock Of all kinds
The third and upper terrace rises nearly as abrupt
as the second and has varying breadth of from one
TO SIX miles; 1T is more irregular upon its surface
than the two former, and attains higher grading as
Napproaches the hills to the east The irregularities
of the surface not sufficient to produce any sensi-
BILE effect in destroying that uniformity which
view of four miles will give any part OF the plain
and would not be noticeable except in passing
over il.
The geology of the coast mountains from Point
Pinos to the Racismiento river and the Santa Cruz
mountains, ID next described; after which we read
the following, viz
THE STRUCTURE OF THE VALLEYS OF SACRAMENTO
AND SAN JOAQUIN
These valleys form " single geographical forma
ton" stretching from the terminal spars of the Cas-
Jade mountains at the north, to the junction of the
terra Nevada with the southern terminus OF the
fonte Diabo range with the thirty-fourth parallel
u north latitude The length of the valley is about
hree hundred and eighty miles in length on an air
tne with breadth OF fifty miles at its widest point
The general appearance of the valley is that of an
extended plain composed Of alluvum, and this
opinion would obtain in the mind Of any person
whose line OF travel would lead him over the lower
terraces OF the plain, or what is denomnated its
bottom lands. II is only by making a Transverse