The Sierra citizen., 1854-04-15
Sierra yalIey.

Sierra valley.
MucH attention has already been direct
ed to this rich little valley, sitnabd some
thirty miles east Of Downieville, on the
head waters Of the South Branch Of the
North Yuba. The valley is about thirty
miles long and from three and bali to
six miles wide, apd contains great amount
of tillable land, which Is said to be as pro-
ductive as any in the State.
Farming viii be extensively carried on
there the coming summer several hun
dred acres are now prepared for cultivar
ton as soon as the season will admit; and
from the experiments Of the last year it is
believed that potatoes, turnips, beets. and
other vegetables, can be as successfully
raised there as in other little valleys lower
down in the mountains, where farming has
been found SO profitable. Wheat was last
year sown as an experiment, and turned
out well, convincing the settlers that the
soil is adapted to the raising of winter
grain. Many tons of excellent hay were
cut during the last two years and brought
to Downieville-more than enough to sup
ply the demand.
There are in the valley at present some
five or six families, who have determined
to make it their future home. In addi-
ton, there are fifteen or twenty ranches
claimed and occupied by men without
families, who design settling there as soon
as their land can be gotten under cultiva-
tion and commodious houses erected.
This is perhaps as pleasant place as
can be found in the mountains of Califor-
MIA. In the summer the air is cool, and
in the winter it is hardly ever extremely
cold. Snow never falls deep in the valley,
but on the surrounding hills it completely
blocks up the trail. Game of all kinds is
plentiful-bear, deer, antelope and hares,
geese, ducks and snipe, may be seen in the
summer months, but on the approach Of
winter they leave for parts unknown. The
sportsman can there have an opportunity
OF pursuing any kind Of game, from the
grizzly bear to the playful little squirrel.
California lions and very large wolves
have been seen in the valley, though they
do not often make their appearance. The
streams contain an abundance of fish,
which are easily taken.
Sierra Valley appears to have been q
favorite resort for the Indians, who built
rancherias, constructed fish dams, and dug
pitfalls for game. In the east end of the
valley, among the oak timber, holes in
the rocks are found which have been worn
out in the preparation of acorns for bread
Two small tribes still remained there when
the valley was first discovered by the
whites; they were always at war, and at
one time one tribe carried off all the squaws
belonging to the other, with the exception
of two The first settlers found it very
difficult to keep stock in the valley, on
account Of the thieving propensities Of the
Indians-one party would steal cattle from
the settlers, and the other party would
steal from the thieves. They at length
became so troublesome that both tribes
have been driven off.
This valley is destined to become very
important settlement. 1t has been salts
lactorily ascertained that the soil is adapt
ed to the growth Of vegetables most in use
in the mines and as long as the diggings
continue to pay ordinary wages, every
thing that farmers can raise will be in de-
mand.
Persons who have taste for "a life in
the woods" can there find quiet home,
and such as are romantically inclined. can
build their cottage in spot wild enough
to suit the most poetic fancy. The scenery
by the way is we'll worth visit, and any
one fond of the chase, duck shooting, or
fishing, would do we'll to collect his guns
fishing tackle, etc, and make an excursion
to this beautiful and romantic valley.
Coop ADvICE.-Ihe San Francisco
papers advise all who are out Of employ
ment, as we'll as the loafers about town to
leave for the mines. This advice would
be easily followed, provided the aforesaid
INDECENT individuals had the tin where
withal to pay their passage. But whether
the severity OF the climate and the hard