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

your NlSlOu over space VI seh niiiOS W "iuh1
and two hundred and fifty in length, you
would behold one continued sea Of grain,
with intervening forty acre 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 are 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 COW
cred BY Spanish Grants--therefor il is rath-
er hard matter to obtain good lands. These
Spanish Grants are rented at from Sc to SO
per acre. The greatest attention is being
paid to the raising of peaches, pears, apples
and grapes, of which we get great quantities
already. The large valleys are generally to-
tally, or so nearly void of timber 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.
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. Majes-
tic pines and cedars clothe the mountains,
and are being fast sawed into lumber
There are within this county 90 saw mills,
IL 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 we're 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 hue 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 a
cost of three dollars per day to the msn.-
These canals (of which there are already
completed within this county, 527 mies,) ap-
pear to run over the tops of the highest
mountains. There is a great deal of gold
being taken out though the time in Caifor-
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 % quartz mills in this
county, besides many rasters. Labor is from
$50 to $50 per month. The chances for
making money here are. so per cent. better
than in the States.-Though would advise
no one who is contented at home, to come
here. There are many temptations to evil.
There is an abundance of every thing here
but piety and virtuous women. No Sabbath.
Every man is profane and destical. You
would all laugh to see me kneeling down,
washing the dishes, my clothes, &c.
This is n delightful climate, and think
the healthiest in the world. have increased
iu weight some here, about % lbs. Think
| will do better as winter approaches. We
had rain the 9th of this month-the first
since April There has also been some frost
this week. You have no idea of the mode
of farming here. Planting and sowing seems
to be done at any seaaon of the year. Cab
bages are now being planted, and many veget-
able seeds sown. The finest potatoes, sweet
and Irish, are raised here, and cost us in the
mines cents pound. The same for all
vegetables; though in the valleys potatoes
are worth but so cents per bushel, and -four
$4 per hundred. Here we pay ST.; l8 cents
for beef and 80 cents for bacon. Boarding is
eight and nine dollars per week. Should !
take notion to wear white shirt, | pay 25
cents for washing ito have my hair cut IS,
or face shaven, rs cents. Or should ] wish
something nonrishing, and call for dozen
eggs or chicken, pay dollar. Treating
is very common and a very expensive habit.
About every fifth house is bar-room; yet |
have seen but few drunken men-no fighting
or quarreing. The people generally very So
cial and agreeable. But, alas! there is no
one to bake my cake, to patch my pants, to
wash nv towel, or to share with me the bless
ings enjoy.
There have been some deaths from ty.
phod fever this fall. Sore eyes and rheuma-
tism are very general complaints, though
there are more suicides and accidental deaths
BY far than from any other cause. lam here
and glad of il. Should not become dissi-
pated, ! will make little "pile," and proba-
bly, return, but do not think of stopping in
Tennessee, as believe, with all its advan-
tages, there arc other places better.
Our State elections came off Sept. 3D.
The Americans and Republicans were nicely
whipped
Ali of you write to me at Volcano. Yours
till make my "pile." w. Z. JONES.
CHEvALIER FoRSEY IN A KIwK.-Cheva.
her Forney, of Philadelphia, appears 90 be
getting into knk on Kansas affairs. He is
RAPIDLY going over to the ngger worshippers,
and is beginning to shrek for Kansas as loud
" Ms the Hon. Massa Greely himself. In
deed, the philosopher now quotes the Cheva-
lier Forney's Kansas kinks with the greatest
pleasure and appreciation. What's in the
windl Many of the Chevalier Forney's in.
innate political associates in this city are, we
see, abandoning Tommany Hall, and like him
are going over to the niger worshippers.-
What can be in the wind!-M Y. Herald.
10y And old fellow being visited by his
pastor, he assured him that he could not be a
good Christian unless he took up his daily
cross, whereat he caught up his wife and be.