Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

Agriculture.
The report of the Committee appointed by
the State Agricultural Fair to visit the
farms, orchards, nurseries, gardens, etc., of
of the State, is an interesting document to
those engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
to the public generally, as showing the pro-
gress that has been made in agricultural in
terests during the short period of our exis-
tence as State. We believe, with Col
Crockett, who delivered the ldress before
the last Annual Fair, that it is the lgricul
tural interest hat constitutes the true
wealth of the State, and not the gold taken
from our soil only to be shipped to New
York and elsewhere. 1t should be our aim
to produce at home everything required for
our consumption, and if we then have sur
plus to dispose of to other nations. we add
that amount to the wealth of the State. If
we dig out millions of dollars of gold month
ly from our soil, and ship it to New York
for supplies of provisions, clothing, and lux
uries, it is evident to the most casual OBJ
server, that we are not increasing in wealth;
but the wealth-the result of our labor, ex-
posure and deprivations, is reaped by those
who furnish us with supplies. We are not
rich if it takes our millions to supply US
with food and clothing
The Committee, who have visited the diff
ferent portions of the State in the discharge
of their duties, present gratifying picture
of the rapid progress which has been made,
and is making in the various departments of
agricultural operations. There can be no
doubt but that the establishment of State
Agricult ural Society, with its annual exhi-
billions, has contributed to foster, encour-
age and promote the development of our ag
three years The committee think that no
one g can fail to be impressed with a deep
conviction that California is not surpassed
by any other State in the Union in respect
to soil, climate, and, indeed, in everything
that can be desired by the farmer and hor-
ticulturist. The enterprise. intelligence and
every part of the State, cannot fail to speed
lily demonstrate to the most incredulous,
that no country excels this in the variety OF
its productions, or the facility with which
rich and profitable returns will reward the
industrious and intelligent cultivator of the
SOIL
The Committee express their qualification
at the extensive fields of wheat and barley
which constantly succeed each other along
the banks of Feather River, and they think
the soil rich, and we'll adapted to the growth
River have long been the pride of Butte and
Yuba counties, and we believe no section in
the State presents a more dense agricultural
population than the lands along Feather
farms along this stream in Butte county
embrace Charley's Ranch, Evans Ranch,
Fredonia Ranch, the farms of the Messrs
Kerbeys, Onyet, Bush, Kent. Mcconnell
Cambell, Weaver. Turner, Gen Moore
Ever, Stockton, and many others with whose
names we are not familiar, all in a state Of
excellent cultivation and surrounded with all
the conveniences and Injuries to be found
in much older agricultural sections.
Of their visit to the farm of Maj. Bidwell,
the Committee say:
| ale has thousands of broad acres of land
a great part of which is admirably fitted for
cultivation. A fine stream of water (the
Chico creek) passes through it, and is made
use of for irrigating his lands. Upon this
stream he has an excellent grist mill, an ex-
tensive garden, and an orchard of as thrifty
trees (mostly peach) as can anywhere be
found, they are mostly seedlings, but Of
very superior quality. The garden and or
chard are inclosed by very high and beau
tiful willow hedge. The soil Is of rich allu-
vial, and the growth of every kind of veget-
elton is astonishing for its rapdity. We
have seen locust tree, the seed of which
was planted three years ago last winter,
which now measured twenty-five inches in
circumference, six inches from the ground
The dwelling house and out buildings are
large and commodious, and surrounded with
beautiful forest and exotic trees, planted by
the present proprietor. He has herd Of
fine American sheep, also s1me of the broad
tailed Variety a large stock of cattle, and a
| fine brood of horses. He has raised this
year many acres of wheat and barley which
has averaged forty bushels to the acre.
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