San Andreas independent., 1858-08-21
LETTER FROM ANGELS.
Correspondence of the Independent.


ANGELS, August llth, '5S.
Mr. Editor:-I spent another day in
rambling among the .farms-I hate that
name, "ranch," or "rancho," which, as
it falls upon the ear of the old Californian,
brings only in its associations the fence
less field, the Grange" the "vaquero,
the "adobe casa," with not an ornamen-
tai bush, shrub or flower about it; the
drear "corral, with its Golgotha in the
rear, and with them all, those unrefned
habits that characterize primeval life upon
the shore of the Pacific say, therefore,
farms! Ihave to-day been among them,
and the beautiful appearance of the trees
and vines and fruits and flowers, told that
the wealth of the "yellow State" is not
confined to her mines and minerals, but
the soil of even her mountain wales Yields
to their possessors precious income, and
presents to the laborer, in less exciting
light, and in happier manner, more
cheering prospects, and beyond question,
offers more permanent wealth to the hardy
citizen than even does her golden sands" ="
In these visits one is at loss to dis
tinguish between their excellences, and
he often is reminded of the remark made
by the great Webster, when visited by a
British Admiral and found deeply alb
sorbed in the perusal of Shakespeare.
When asked which play he considered the
best, the great expounderv replied, "Me
last one I read" SO with California
farms and fruits-one cannot pass over
the one or view the other, without a dis
position to believe that the last one seen
was the best
There is section of our county en-
bracing many farms, which has been but
seldom noticed.
1t lies upon the northern slope of the
summit which rises between the head
waters of the Calaveras and those of the
Stanislaus At the Hawk-Eye | took the
Murphy's road. Upon this road are
many fine farms; among them are the
farm and gardens of the Torrcy Brothers,
situate on Torrey Gulch. Two hours
passed there is time well spent, either
in strolling over the farm, which, like a
little bay lies Gland locked" by the hills
around-or rowing through the gardens,
1.-TWO, some half a mile apart or gazing
upon the fruit that hangs so tempting
from the trees and vines. An enumera-
tion of the valuable Improvements which
so adorn and beautify their farm, would
be but an account of innumerable cereals,
grasses, fruits, flowers and ornamental
shrubs
Twill, however, mention the sugar cane,
the ginger, and choicest of all for every
day use, the hop. Mr. Torrey is cult
waiting the hop with great success, and to
some considerable extent 1t is unnec
essary to talk of melons, peaches, apples,
pomegranates, green corn, &C., as they
were there of course, and in our county
have ceased to be curiosities, no matter
what their dimensions. But when come
to those living springs of pure water, then
are found objects of interest that eyerv
garden does not possess. l refer to the
fish which live in these waters, and add
an additional interest to the spot, as they
sport in the pure pearly depths of those
crystal pools.
This water, so plenty and available.
gives the Torrey farm great advantages.
Facilities for irrigation must be had in
order to enable the farmer to contend with
the whitening and protracted draughts of
California. Torrey's gulch possesses these
requisites, and the farms along its course
look, consequently, strong and thriving.
Leaving the Gulch, | passed over to
Washington Flat. Here are some good