The Georgetown news., 1855-10-04

very Jew years before our markets will be
supplied from domestic sources entirely
In the cities OF Santa Barbara and Los An
geles aud the adjacent Missions. | have seen
the orange tree forty years old, and in some
few instances much older.
The citron is also another fruit belonging
to the same natural family, and was former
II cultivated to considerable extent, and
Courshes we'll at the present time. | have
seen this fruit in the gardens Of private res
licences growing to the size Of six inches in
length by three inches in diameter, its
weight could not have been less than two
pounds.
The date tree, fig, pine, apricot, guava,
pomegrante, and kindred fruits, find con-
genial climate, and soil adapted to their
successful cultivation, and are to be met
with at several points in this section Of the
country. No attempt, so far as have been
able to learn. has as vet been made TO pro-
duce the pine apple, although the climate
and all other conc0mitant conditions Of To-
cality essential to its culture abound. Some
experiments have been made in the culture
Of tobacco, which have proved highly sue
cessful and satisfactory; the Cuban variety is
found to flourish as well here as upon its own
soil; the great consumption Of this article in
California will render rs cultivation al cb-
ject of some considerable Importance, and
as so little care and labor is necessary in
rearing it here, it is mere than probable
that but few years will elapse before it
will find place in our commercial tables
as an article Of home production, and per
haps Of export.
The chmatal conditions of these plains
and the adaptability of their soils are such
that we may reasonably expect, ere a few
years shall pass, that cotton, coffee, tea, su-
gar and rice, the four latter articles partic-
ularly, will find place in our catalogues of
home productions, and the only impeachment
that now stands in the way Of their immcdi-
ate production, is the high price Of labor
which is consequent upon TIE sparseness OF
population. The un0ccupied or rather un-
improved lands extending from Point Aguil-
Ia to San Diego on the land Of the coast
and into the interior for distances varying
from twelve to fifty or sixty miles, and the
extensive valley ranges beyond the first and
eastern line Of ridges of the San BernardinO
immigrant and settler who may be seeking
a permanent and agreeable home, and who
wishes to cultivate soil as means Of Iiyeli-
hood and source Of profit. To such this
district Of the State furnishes an ample field
ior bis operations, and equally profitable
with any other portion of our wide domain.
In view Of all that we have seen and
heard, in the last day or two, of the pro-
9ress OF agriculture in California, and in
view OF the testimony which has been laid
before rs, in such variety of forms, as to
the capacity Of our soil and the genial and
varied influences Of our unequaled climate.
| feel justified in saying that, in my iude-
ment, 1t would be quite difficult for any one
either here or elsewhere, to name a single
plant or vegetable, tree, shrub, or flower,
whether grown on farms, in orchards, or in
gardens, which, with adequate care and iu-
dlclOus diligence, might not be successfully
cultivated and brought to complete perlec-
ton in some part Of California. If the pro-
gress which we have already made in this
Interesting pursuit should be continued for
few years longer, it may be that some
classic traveller, sojourning for q season
amidst our charming hills and valleys and
fertile fragrant plains, may hereafter apply
to this modern Ausona the glowing Ian
guage OF poetry, and eXclaim-
Whatever fruits in different climes are found.
That proudly rise. or humbly court the ground: ::
W hatever blooms in torrid tracts appear
Whose bright succession decks the varied year;
Whatever sweets salute the northern sky,
With venal lives that blossom but to die,
IHeSe, mere dlSpOrtlnT own the kindred soil
Nor ask luXnIiance from the planters toll:
While sea-5orn gales their geld wings expand
10 WlnnoW fragrance round a smiling land