San Andreas independent., 1857-10-10

made from it, and in sufficient quantities to |
furnish all which may be needed for home con
sumption, II this should be the case it would |
save millions and millions of dollars which are
annually sent out OF the country: to California,
which is now dependent exclusively for what
it uses, upon other countries, it will be almost
invaluable, retaining within the State. vast
amount of money, which is now sent out of it
annually, besides contributing in making rs
more truly independent, and even if 1t cannot
be successfully cultivated for the making of
sugar and Molasses, it is believed that it will
prove OF immense value for forage, and that
if cultivated for that purpose alone, it will
well repay the labor OF the farmer, at least
two crops can be raised in year. | have
known it this year, to be planted on the tenth
of Nav, and to have attained the height of ten
and half feet, by the first Of August it was
then cut down, and from the roots a second
crop has sprung up which is now six feet in
heiehth, this was on ground however, having
the advantages of irrigation. The experiment
will be fairly tested this year, for it is stated
that over one hundred thousand acres have
been planted in the United States
The Almond tree have mentioned before, it
in the central and Southern portions of the
United States, and in California finds congo
nial soil and climate, its extensive cultivation
would be OF great importance to the State.
The amount of Almonds imported annually,
into the United States, is said to amount to
more than two hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars 1t is beautiful ornamental tree, useful
as shade tree and profitable in the production
of its fruit.
The Cork tree is an evergreen, grown in
Spain, and furnishes the well known article,
Cork the climate and soil of California is
adapted to its culture, and if this country is to
be a wine growing country, will be found to
be essential and necessary. The amount of
, cork annually imported into the United States,
is estimated at more than two hundred and
eighty thousand dollars. The prune species
: this fruit imported every year to the United
States, is valued at sixty four thousand dollars.
The Date would find soil adapted to its cul-
iivation at San Diego, Los Angeles, and many
other St ctions of California, it is lofty tree,
from forty to sixty feet in height, and single
tree will produce from one hundred, to three
hundred pounds of fruit. The Tamarind the
:, fruit of which forms an important article Of
D ment, but for use, IN California it would be an
acquisition much to be desired.
D The Balm of Gilead tree, is native ol
Arabia, and grows spontaneously in the noun
e tans of Yemen, this shrub or tree, seldom
: exceeds fourteen feet in height, the balsam
exudiDg from it, is priced among Eastern ma
b tions, both as medicine and cosmetic it is
valued so high as to be sold for twice its weight
/ in silver and its scarcity is such, that it is be-
, lieved there is not an ounce of the genuine
! article in the United States.
D The Qassia plant, is beautiful shrub, OF
low tree, and is sufficiently hardy to withstand
e the climate of England. 1t would flourish
r here, without doubt, the only objection thai
s would be made to its cultivation, would be BY
j the devotees of Lager Beer, for it is said tht
r Brewers use itinstead of hops.
The Egyptian SIENNA, is cultivated IN Italy
: and would, therefore, thrive here, it forms :
= considerable article of commerce.
: The Tea plant affording to millions people
: a grateful beverage, and which, with US, ha
r become almost a necessary Of life, can be cult
II waited here, it is now raised in South Carolina
a do not suppose however, we can raise 1t herr
l. as an article of commerce. IL some OF our enter
!, prising merchants would import the plants
e they would be eagerly purchased, and cultiva
T. ted in every garden in the country, not merel.
IS for curiosity alone, but for use; of one thing
: our tea drinkers would be certain of, If The,
, cultivated it themselves, they would have
pure article, and if they chose to color it witt
t, Prussian Blue, could do so or not as they say
/ proper
e The Coffee plant is well worth an expert
:. ment, like tea; it might not be raised for ex
n portation, but there is no horticulturist, n
o farmer, but would take pride in cultivating
it in his garden, and there is no lady in the land
v but would take pleasure in treating her guest
, TO cup of that which cheers, but does no
r inebriate" and which was cultivated by be
n own fair hands, aud brought to maturity, b
J. the genial influences of the fervid sun, and fer
J. tile soil of California.
2. The cultivation of rice, of which mmens
l. quantities are consumed in our State, and whcl
n forms the chief article of food for forty or fft
5 thousand of the almond eyed Celestas, VIII
d are now sojourning among us, is matter o
II the greatest Importance. The tule land, nov
e worthless, can, it is judged, by persons well ac
J. ouainted with the cultivation OF rice, and th
!, ground suitable for its culture, be converted
e into the best rice fields in the world. Th'
h amount of labor required, is nothing compared
d 10 what has been done in Holland, a create
{ part OF WHICH, mas D6eD SlOleU lrOlu the Sed
o The high price of labor is the great drawbacl
# at present, this may not long continue, at eas
!. with certain class of laborers. American
d miners have already had their curiosity suffi
if cienty gratifed by what they have seen of th'
q Chinese and what they have learned respecting
their habits, manners, and customs and there is I
n strong probability that their numbers will in tbt
n mines be beautifully less, ere long; if the Chi
d nese should come to the conclusion to reliDqusl
e mining, as an unhealthy employment, there
S would then be plenty OF laborers, and of tht
n right kind for engaging in the business of rice
r cultivation; they would also furnish the righ
s kind of laborers for the cultivation of Indigo
), which would, undoubtedly, thrive well in Cali
: fornia, and prepare the way for the manufac
e turer.
n The cotton plant, which is to the Southern
j States what our gold field is to California, car
S be grown everywhere, from Shasta to Sar
|, Diego, and if the old fashioned spinning whee
d was now in use, sufficient quantity coulc
v easily be raised for home consumption, but
j the same remark can be applied to the ole
e molherly spinning Wheel that was made by