Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-08-14
Official Report of the Assessor Of Ell Dora
do County.
AssEssoR's OFFICE,
n, .r,,,,,.,v,,, Au,,,,k = 1870

ASsEsSoK'S OFFICE,
% PLACERvILLE, August 7, 1858.
Hon. II. \. IIIGLEY, Surveyor General, Sac
ramcnto.
Sir: In compliance with the law and the
usual custom of my predecessors have the
honor to submit to you the following as
my OFFICIAL Report of statistics and general
interests Of the County of FL Dorado for the
current year. 1t is utterly impossible for me
to fully and accurately comply with the re-
quirements Of the law, but have done SO with
out deviation where practicable. Our popula.
tiOn, to certain extent, is migratory and the
value Of pre- tperty uncertain and changeable.
1t is more difficult to arrive its real value in
this than in older States. Quartz mills that
may pay ten thousand dollars one month, the
next may not pay one thousand.
In comparing the statistics of last year with
those Of the present, it will be perceived that
there has been but little or no increase, ex-
cept in Horticulture. In fact, it may be said
that there is scarcely valley Of the area Of
half an acre that is susceptible of irrigation,
that is not covered with fruit trees and vines.
Although the most Of them have not vet Ar
rived at full growth, yet | believe that the
time is not far distant when FL Dorado county,
with her fine orchards and productive vine-
yards, will compare tavorably with the first
counties Of the State, taking her susceptibility
therefor into consideration.
TIMBER.-ln the entire Eastern portion Of
this County the timber may be considered as
incxhaustiblc. Of the chief varieties that are
valuable for lumber, there are the Sugar,
Pitch and Spruce Pincsin abundance. There
are also species of Live Oak and Ash that are
valuable, though comparatively scarce. These
arc found mostly along the canons.
LAND.-lt is n well-knOwn fact that FL Do
RADIO is regarded as one of the first counties in
the State in mineral wealth; that the entire
Eastern portion is mountainous; and that
the principal pursuit Of the greater portion of
its inhabitants is in the collection of the pre-
cioGs metals. Yet there are intcrspcrsed
throughout these mountains almost number
less valleys, adapted to agricultural and gra-
zing purposes, which in productiveness are
second to none in the county. The number Of
of acres of land cultivated is seven thous.
and one hundred and thirty The amount of
land enclosed for tilagc and pasturage is TWEEN.
ty-two thousand one hundred and eighty acres
There arc no swamp lands within the county
PRoDrCTS.-The number of acres of Wheat
is one thousand and sixteen, yielding ten
thousand two hundred and tilty-cight bushels.
OF Barley, one thousand five hundred and ele-
ven acres, yielding seventeen thousand seven
hundred and forty-four bushels. OF Oats,
one thousand seven hundred and twenty acres,
yielding eight thousandtwo hundred and clc-
ven bushels. A large quantity of the Oats
that are raised are cut before they como to
maturity, and used for Hay, consequently the
small yield per acre. Of Potatoes, forty y-three
acres, yielding six thousand three hundred
and sevcnty-five bushels. OfHay, one thous-
and three hundred and Cighty.three acres,
yielding One-thouSand three hundred and
three tons. Of Onions, two acres, yielding
two hundred and thirty-fvc bushels. OF
Chinese Sugar Cane, three acres.
WOOL.--FOur thousand pounds.
FRrIT TREES AID VINEs-The number Of
Apple trees, is sixty-four thousand two hun.
dred and twenty-six. Peach, forty-scven