The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-12-11


would behold one continued sea Of grain,
with intervening forty ncre patches Of pota.
toes, grapes, vines, and vegetables of nearly
all kinds. think saw more small grain In
San Jose Valley than ever saw in Tennes.
see altogether. The lands here generally
are very fertile, and farming is delightful
and lucrative business. There nre about
eight months in the year with scarcely one
drop Of rain, consequently irrigation to most
lands is necessary. The dust is very great,
disagreeable, and trying upon the eyes,
Most of the valuable farming lands are cov-
cred by Spanish Grants--therefofe II is rath-
or hard matter to obtain good lands, These
Spanish Grants are rented at from @6 TO SS
per acre. The greatest attention is being
paid to the raising Of peaches, pears, apples
and grapes, of which we ess great quantities
already. Thc irrgc vnliss re generally to-
tally, or SO nearly void Of t.snber that many
farms are without fences. Those not having
any are surrounded by two wires or Two rails
upon posts Wild oats grow spontaneously,
and are moved in great quantities for hay
Aside from pine, cedar, and redwood, the
timber is the most inferior have ever seen.
I don't think there is an oak in California fit
to stock plow with. They can't be split;
every pick and axe handle comes from the
States and costs US 75 cents or 81. Mnjes-
tic pines and cedars clothe the mountains
and are being fast sawed into lumber
There are within this county 20 saw mills
II of which are propelled by steam. Lum.
Der is worth about $50 per thousand, and is
here used to an extent surprising to Ten
nesseean. .
The mines look as though they were work.
ed out-every little ravine where water can
be had is turned wrong side up. Much
ground is being re-worked; the hills are be.
ing dug and WASHED down, and men lire in
holes under ground, hunting their god Ma
ny are idle fer want Of water. All the water
used for mining purposes is brought many
miles in canals and sold TO the miners at I
cost of three dollars per day to the man.
These canals (of which there are already
completed within this county, 527 miles,) ap
pear TO run over the tops Of the highes
mountains. There is a great deal of golt
being taken out, though the time in Califor
mia is passed when mining was pleasure
and when fortune could be made in few
days. Quartz mining Is attracting much at
tention. There are 20 quartz mills in th
county, besides many rasters. Labor is from
$50 to $50 per month. The chances 70
making money here are so per cent. bette
than in the States.-Though would advis
no one Mho is coatented at hons, to com
here. There are many temptations to evil
There is an abundance of every thing her
but piety and virtuous women. No Sabbath
Every man is profane and deistical. Yo,
would oil laugh to see mo kneeling dOwr
washing the dishes, my clothes, &c.
This is a delightful climate, and I thinl
the healthest in the world. have increase
in weight some here, about % lbs. Thin
| will do better as winter approaches. w
had rain the 9th of this month-the frs
since April. There has also been some fros
this week. You have no idea of the mod
of farming here. Planting and sowing seem
to be done at any seaaon of the year. Cab
bages are now being planted, and many veget
able seeds sown. The finest potatoes, swee
and Irish, are raised here, and cost us in III
mines cents n pound. The same for al
vegetables; though in the valleys potatoe
nre worth but 30 cents per bushel, and flou
81 per hundred. Here we pay 81; lS cent
for beef and 80 cents for bacon. Boarding !
eight and nine dollars per week. Should
take notion tc-wear white shirt, pny Q
cents for washing ito have my hair cut u
or face shaven, rs cents. Or should wis
something nourishng, and call fof doze
eggs or chicken, pay dollar. Treatin
is very common and a very expensive habi
About every fifth house is a bar-room; yet
have seen but few drunken men-no ightin
or quarreling. The people generally very sc
cal and agreeable. But, alas! there is n
one to bake my cake, to patch my pants, t
wash my towel, or to share with me the bless
ings ] enjoy.
There have been some deaths from ty
phoid fever this fall. Sore eyes and rheumu
tism are very general complaints, thong
there are more suicides and accidental death
and glad Of it. Should not become diss
pated, will make little "pile," and probf
bly, return, but do not think of stopping !
Tennessee, rs | believe, with all its advar
tages, there arc other places better.
Our State elections came off Sept. 3D.
The Americans and Republicans were NIGEL
whipped.
All of you write to me at Volcano. Your
till | make my "pile." w. c. JONES.
CHEvALIkR FoRNEY IN A KIsK.-Chevl
ler Forney, of Philadelphia, appears to b
getting into kiuk on Kansas affairs. He
rapidly going over to the Niger worshipper
and is beginning to shriek for Kansas rs lout
ly as the Hon. Mnssa Greedy himself II
deed, the philosopher now quotes the Chew
lier Forney's Kansas kinks with the greate
pleasure and appreciation. What's in N
wind! Many of the Chevalier Forney's il
innate political associates in this city are, "
see, abandoning Tammany Hall, and like hi
are going over to the nigger worshippers-
What can be in the wnd!-N. Y. Herald.
W- And old fellow being visited by h
pastor, he assured him that he could not be
good Christian unless he took up his dai
cross, wherent he caught up his wife and b
gan Juggling her nbout the room.
H- A peice of candle may be made
burn all night in sick room, or elsewher
when a dali light is wished, by putin